Pale: ski hotel, 12 km of ski slopes and culture

Winter

The Ravna Planina Ski Centre is located 3 km from the centre of Pale and has 12 km of groomed ski slopes. At Ravna Planina, a gondola ride leads to the top of the main slope. There, artificial lakes are used for snowmaking in winter and recreation in summer. Marked hiking trails also lead from Pale via Ravna Planina to Jahorina.

The winter surroundings therefore include a specifically named ski centre, while the trails connect the places and mountain areas between Pale, Ravna Planina and Jahorina. The individual distances and facilities remain clearly distinct: the ski centre is 3 km from the centre, the gondola ride leads to the top of the main slope, and the artificial lakes serve a different purpose in winter than in summer.

Another option for active pursuits is the “Sokolov put” via ferrata at Crvene Stijene on Mount Romanija. It is 350 m long, overcomes an elevation difference of 160 m and has a technical difficulty rating of B/C.

Nature

The source of the Paljanska Miljacka lies southeast of the centre of Pale, on the northern slope of Ravna Planina, at an altitude of around 1,010 m. There are waterfalls at the source. Its mountain water is suitable for trout; a little further downstream there are fish ponds and restaurants.

Goli Koran Nature Park is a few minutes from the centre of Pale. It includes fitness trails, benches and outdoor exercise equipment. Another destination is Orlovača Cave, located in Sumbulovac and the hamlet of Donje Sinjevo, about 10 km from the centre of Pale and 1 km from the main road. More than 560 m of the cave have been developed for tourists with concrete paths and modern lighting.

Orlovača Cave can only be visited accompanied by a qualified guide. The tour lasts 30 to 45 minutes and takes place from 15 April to 15 October. On the Romanija mountain, Novak’s Cave is also associated with Starina Novak. It is considered a historical and tourist attraction of the municipality of Pale.

Culture

Ceković House was built between 1902 and 1915 and declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2004. The building houses a small museum with paintings, traditional clothing, furniture, crockery and documents belonging to the Ceković family.

The National Library of Pale traces its history back to a library and reading room founded in Pale on 12 January 1921. It is located in the Cultural Centre Pale and contains more than 40,000 books, including collections on local history as well as old and rare books.

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pale was built from brick and stone in 1909. Features and influences of the Serbo-Byzantine architectural style can be seen in it. To this day, it remains a central meeting place for the people of Pale.

Cuisine

The traditional cuisine of the Pale region includes homemade breads, filled pies served with sour milk, cicvara, kaymak and pura, also known as kačamak.

For the overarching travel overview: Republika Srpska.