What a 13.5km Hike Taught Me About Age, Fitness and Pride

Bosnia Humbled Me

I thought I was ready for this hike in Bosnia.

I was wrong.

This is the story of a 13.5 kilometre hiking trip from Kakanj, across the hills of central Bosnia, with our hiking club PSD Pošta Zenica. On paper, it sounded perfect. Fresh air, beautiful countryside, views towards Vlašić, and a chance to capture the sights and sounds of rural Bosnia along the way.

But Bosnia had other ideas.

I packed too much, wore the wrong trousers, underestimated the hills, and was very quickly reminded that walking every day is not quite the same as hiking in Bosnia.

At 73, I’m still active, still curious, and still willing to say yes to new experiences. But this walk taught me a few useful lessons about age, fitness, pride, preparation, and the simple truth that sometimes the countryside humbles you before you’ve even reached the halfway point.

This wasn’t the elegant hiking video I planned to make.

It turned into something more honest.

A story about walking, ageing, community, sore knees, Bosnian hills, and learning the hard way.

If you enjoy gentle, honest stories about retired life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, walking, hiking, village life, and discovering this country one step at a time, please consider subscribing.

If you’re new here, I’m David. I moved to Bosnia over twenty-six years ago and never really left. This Blog is about my retirement, daily life, culture and what it’s actually like living in this often misunderstood country.

Thanks for being here and for following the journey.

Subscribe to my Newsletter