Why Rafting the Una River Should Be on Every Traveller’s Bucket List
It’s not just about the rapids – it’s about the river, the silence, and what it wakes up in you.
Some places have a reputation. Others have a presence. The Una River has both – but only if you’re lucky enough to see her up close.
Running through the northwestern corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Una is one of the most striking rivers in Europe. She’s not famous because of a postcard or a TikTok trend. She’s famous because people see her once – and talk about her forever.
And the best way to meet her isn’t from a bridge or a lookout. It’s by rafting right down the middle of her, feeling her current pull you through canyons, under waterfalls, past cliffside forests and into that rare state of mind where all you can do is look around and breathe.
If you’ve ever wondered what makes Bosnia and Herzegovina special – this is it.
What Makes the Una So Unique?
Most rivers in Europe are either engineered or overcrowded. The Una is neither. She’s protected, wild, and still feels untouched – especially through Una National Park, where much of the rafting takes place.
What sets the Una apart isn’t just her colour (though the deep turquoise is unreal), or her clarity (you can see the bottom in many places). It’s the pace. The flow. The way she moves between soft and strong, loud and silent.
And rafting gives you a front-row seat to that contrast.
What the Rafting Experience Actually Feels Like
Forget what you’ve seen in ads or videos. Rafting the Una isn’t some choreographed adrenaline rush for influencers. It’s immersive, real, and incredibly peaceful between the rapids.
You’ll start with a short briefing – safety, gear, how to paddle – and then it’s just you, your group, your guide, and the river.
The rafts wind through canyon walls so narrow you can touch both sides, past waterfalls that crash next to you, and through quiet stretches where the forest feels like it’s holding its breath.
Yes, you’ll get wet. Yes, there are rapids. But this isn’t about conquering the river. It’s about letting go and seeing what happens when nature is left to do its thing.
Most people come off the water laughing, shaking with cold and adrenaline – and asking when they can go again.
Who Can Do It?
Almost anyone.
While there are advanced stretches, most rafting trips on the Una are designed for beginners or casual travellers. You don’t need experience. You don’t need to be athletic. And you don’t need to be brave – just curious.
You’ll be with a licensed guide who’s probably been paddling these waters since they were a kid. The gear is all provided – helmet, life jacket, wetsuit – and you’ll be shown exactly what to do, and when.
Rafting season typically runs from May through October, though water levels vary depending on rainfall. Spring and early summer bring more excitement. Late summer brings more calm.
Where It Happens
The best-known rafting route runs from Štrbački Buk to Lohovo, inside Una National Park. Štrbački Buk is one of the largest and most dramatic waterfalls in the Balkans – and the perfect way to launch an adventure.
This section is:
- About 15 kilometres long
- Packed with rapids, but balanced with calm
- Surrounded by dense green forest and soaring canyon walls
- Largely untouched by development
Trips usually last around 2 to 4 hours, depending on the pace and water level. Most include return transport, changing facilities, and even a warm meal afterwards.
What Else Is Nearby?
If you’re going to make the trip, it’s worth staying a few days. The Una-Sana Canton is full of overlooked beauty and soft adventure.
You can:
- Hike through Una National Park
- Swim in natural pools below waterfalls
- Visit the old towns of Bihać or Bosanska Krupa
- Sleep in riverside cabins, eco-lodges, or local guesthouses
- Rent a canoe or kayak for something slower
This region isn’t flashy – and that’s the whole point. It’s where you come to reconnect, not consume.
What to Bring (and What’s Provided)
You bring:
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- River shoes or secure sandals
- Dry clothes to change into after
- Sunblock
We provide:
- Wetsuit
- Helmet
- Life jacket
- Paddle
- Licensed, local guide
- Transport to and from start point
- Safety briefing
And yes – we can take care of all the logistics for you. You don’t need to figure out buses or gear rentals or how to book something in a national park with patchy phone signal. That’s our job.
Final Word
Rafting the Una isn’t just an adventure – it’s a kind of reset. It’s where you realise how much beauty can exist when a place is left alone, and how little it takes to feel part of something again.
If you do one thing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, let it be this.
Because the Una isn’t a tourist attraction. She’s an experience – and you’re invited.