Vrelo Bosne Great Alley (Velika Aleja)

The Great Alley (Velika Aleja) is a long, straight avenue of plane trees leading from Ilidža to the Vrelo Bosne spring, the source of the Bosna River, in the Natural Monument of Vrelo Bosne on the western edge of Sarajevo in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Access is easy by public transport: the tram from the Old Town runs to the last stop in Ilidža, and the start of the avenue is about 10 minutes on foot from there. Drivers can use car parks in Ilidža near the avenue entrance. The park office can be reached on +387 33 580 999, and entry to the park area is charged in convertible marks, so visitors should carry some cash in KM. The walk is about 3.5 km each way, or 7 km round trip, and takes 2-3 hours on foot including time at the spring. The terrain is flat with under 20 m of gain, which makes it the easiest route in this guide. The avenue is a wide, hard-packed gravel and asphalt track, shaded almost continuously by tall plane trees planted in the Austro-Hungarian period, so it stays pleasant on hot days. Exposure is nil, though cyclists and horse-drawn carriages share the route, and visitors should keep to the side. Horse carriage rides along the avenue are available for roughly 20 KM per ride for those who prefer not to walk the whole length. Landmarks include the Ilidža thermal quarter at the start, the park gate, and the spring area itself, where clear turquoise water emerges at the foot of Igman mountain and flows through small channels, pools and wooden bridges. Visitors can rest at cafes and picnic areas near the spring, and the park has trails around the water that extend the outing. Because the route is flat and well-served, the usual turn-around point is the spring itself, though some walkers return by the same avenue or ride a carriage back. Drinking water and refreshments are sold near the entrance and the spring, and shelter is available at the cafes. The park suits families, older walkers and anyone seeking a gentle half-day away from the city centre.