Cijevna Canyon is crossed by a network of old footpaths and caravan routes used for centuries by residents of nearby villages to descend to the river, connect villages and seasonal mountain settlements, and reach their properties.
Today these trails form a valuable part of Cijevna’s cultural landscape and bear witness to the traditional way of life of the people of Malesia.
Gryka Mužečka – Ljerza – Kakarić
An old trail descends from Mužečka through numerous switchbacks via Bodžomilja, Škami Tises and Ljerza to Kakarić on Zatrijebačka Cijevna, where it joins the Caravan Route.
🥾 Length: approximately 5 km
⏱️ Descent: 2–3 hours
🟠 Difficulty: moderate
⚠️ Status: not cleared or marked
Ćeu Rases – Dolina Ljipovice
From the village of Budza and the Ćeu Rases viewpoint, an old path descends through Ljipovica Valley towards the Cijevna River and Ljemaja.
A particularly valuable feature of this route is Ljipovica Cave, where local residents once stayed with their herds. Stone walls bordering the old path are still preserved in some sections.
🥾 Length: approximately 6 km
⏱️ Descent: 3–4 hours
🟠 Difficulty: moderate
⚠️ Status: not cleared or marked
Škala Smedec – Smedec Valley
From the Gryka Smedec viewpoint in the village of Stjepoh, the old path descends through Škala Smedec and Smedec Valley in impressive switchbacks to Garan Bridge on Zatrijebačka Cijevna.
This is one of the oldest and best-known trails in the area and was once a branch of the Caravan Route.
🥾 Length: approximately 5 km
🟠 Descent: moderate
⚠️ Status: partly cleared and partly marked; not developed as a complete hiking trail
Kodra Cukthit – Smedec Valley
From the Kodra Cukthit panoramic viewpoint in the village of Deljaj, the old path descends towards Smedec Valley. At a fork it connects with the route towards Gryka Smedec, while the other branch continues to Garan Bridge, where it joins the Caravan Route.
🥾 Length: approximately 5 km
🟠 Descent: moderate
⚠️ Status: old/informal markers exist, but the trail has not been professionally marked or developed
Important information for visitors: The historic trails form part of the cultural and historical heritage of Cijevna Canyon, but they are not currently developed for independent tourist use. Visitors are advised to explore them with a local guide and appropriate hiking equipment.
CEPF is a joint initiative of the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement – AFD), Conservation International, the European Union, Fondation Franklinia, Fondation Hans Wilsdorf, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Canada, the Government of Japan, the Hempel Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the World Bank. One of CEPF’s principal objectives is to ensure the active involvement of civil society in biodiversity conservation.