Rakitnica () is the main tributary of the first section of the Neretva river, also called Upper Neretva (). It meets Neretva from the right, flowing from north to south, between Bjelaà ¡nica and VisoÃÂica mountains.
The Rakitnica river begins as Crna Rijeka (English = Black River) from "Zucina Vrela" (English = "Zuco's Wellsprings") that emerges in the areal above Rakitnica village under the northwestern ridge of Treskavica mountain, and after a short run, cca. 2 kilometers, and confluence with Glibovac creek it becomes Rakitnica. The Rakitnica river forms a 26 km long canyon, on its 33 km long stretch, carved between Bjelaà ¡nica and VisoÃÂica, southeast from Sarajevo.
Bosnia and Herzegovina on several occasions, since 1998, was preparing to establish a large national park which, according to developed but never operationalized plans, would comprise the entire region of Gornja Neretva (), including the Rakitnica river. However parts of the river course and canyon features are designated Nature Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.