Typical dates September (ten days)
Location Vrbas canyon, near Banja Luka
Tickets Free for spectators; paid participant passes
Crowds 10:00 to 18:00 peak on fair-weather days
Family-friendly
Older children at signed viewpoints only
Dress code Outdoor layers, sturdy shoes
Accessibility Rocky paths
Step-free limited
Canyon overlooks vary
Slacklines stretch across the Vrbas, wind moves the tape, and a highliner steps into air with river light far below. Drill & Chill is a highline and climbing gathering in the canyon outside Banja Luka each September, with rigging workshops, film nights, bolting clinics, and safe spectator spots on the rim. It suits adventure travellers who like daytime canyon views and calm city evenings by the river.
A community festival focused on highlining, climbing and route development. Days centre on the canyon: rigging, walks, workshops and short talks. Evenings often carry films or music back in town. Spectating is from signed banks and overlooks only; the lines and anchors are for rigged participants and crews. Photo culture is relaxed from the rim without flash or drones. Expect fair-weather scheduling; wind or rain can pause highlines.
Bring child-size ear protection for film nights or music, keep children well back from edges, and choose barriered turnouts over rocky ledges.
Stay behind tapes and barriers, keep to marked paths, do not step on anchors or ropes, no drones, and follow crew guidance.
Spectating is free at signed viewpoints. Participant passes cover rigging, clinics and insurance checks; book early if you intend to take part on the lines or in bolting workshops.
No formal checks at rim spots; basic screening at evening venues where scheduled. Small daypacks only in the canyon; keep hands free on rocky steps.
Quiet near launches, no shouting across the lines, avoid flash or loud music at the rim, and give crews room at anchors. Pack out litter.
Canyon ground is mixed: rock, roots and short scrambles. Step-free access is limited to a few turnouts with rails. Ask volunteers on site for the least-steep approaches. Volume is low by day, higher at evening films; ear protection helps sensitive listeners.
Cafés, short walks to riverside, easy evening venues.
Quick access to paths and calm mornings after canyon days.
Quiet base with short day trips to mills and bridges.
Boulevards, riverside angles and a short wall loop; finishes mid afternoon.
Free cancellation
Hotel pickup
Family-friendly section with trained guides; morning only, never during festival rigging windows
Free cancellation
Permits arranged
Shaded paths and calm water frames between festival days.
Free cancellation
Permits arranged
Forest trails and the memorial terrace for a cool reset.
Free cancellation
Hotel pickup
No. Spectator spots are free. Participant passes are required to rig, highline or join clinics.
Yes from signed, barriered areas only. Keep well back from edges, choose turnouts with rails, and supervise at all times.
No. Drones are restricted for safety and to protect rigging.
Schedules shift. Lines may pause until air is stable. Check the year page or on-site board for daily calls.
Facilities are limited. Use town venues before you go, and follow leave-no-trace guidance.
From signed rim spots only, without flash, and never from inside the taped crew zones.
A Kastel riverside walk, Krupa na Vrbasu bridges, or a Kozara forest loop between sessions.
For Banja Luka tours and balance canyon time with easy city and forest routes.
