Mount Velež

Mount Velež is a limestone giant of Herzegovina, east of Mostar, its ridge stretching north-west to south-east for some thirty kilometres. Its highest peak, Botin, reaches 1,969 metres, and by legend the mountain takes its name from the Slavic god Veles. The western foot is washed by the Neretva, with the Mostar basin spreading before it and the Nevesinje field to the north-east. The south-western side gives way to the karst plateau of Podveležje, home to livestock farmers for centuries. The north-eastern side is entirely different – steep and rugged, with sheer cliffs forming the longest rock barrier in the Balkans, thirteen kilometres long and up to 420 metres high.

Traces of glaciation, a glacial lake and karst underground features are preserved on that side. Velež is a mountain of contrasts – gentle to the west, wild to the north-east – and one of the most attractive climbing destinations in the region.