The northeast corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the industrial backbone of the country. Don’t let that deter you as there are still dozens of places to see and visit, and as in any other part of BiH you don’t have to go very far to find an isolated mountain, a cool stream or a thick green forest. The areas along the Sava River to the extreme northeast are the most fertile regions in the country. Agriculture in the entire northeast pocket is the number-one industry and employer, with over 50% of its territory used for agricultural purposes. Around the central city of Tuzla is the heart of the country’s industry. Tuzla was named during Ottoman times after its salt mines. Large coal deposits are mined here to fuel the thermo-electric plants, creating the largest energy potential in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To be honest, this city does not possess the kind of tourism attractions that most other parts of the country do. Nonetheless this does not detract from the rich natural, cultural and historical heritage of the northeast region.

The regions second largest city, Bjeljina, is a stark contrast to Tuzla. The long, flat plains make it an ideal agricultural centre for the country. It is a main transit hub to and from Serbia. Aside from the two main cities are quaint towns and destinations that are perhaps more charming and authentic. Places like Gradacac, Tesanj, Doboj and Srebrenik offer medieval castles, small but attractive town centres and more homely feel to them. As for the mountains, Konjuh, Majevica and Ozren criss-cross the middle section of the northeast and create large natural boundaries between the mountain hill climates and the long flatlands of Semberija in the extreme north of the region. Majevica and Ozren saw quite a lot of fighting during the war so hiking solo is not a good idea. The local mountain associations are very active and have several mountain huts. If you are truly keen on a hike, it will take some perseverance on your behalf to locate an English-speaking member. If your sign-language skills are good, local hikers are always glad to take a guest along with them and will show you the ropes.Konjuh and Tajan mountains are part of the Via Dinarica hiking trail and the most attractive mountainous areas in the northeast.