Welcome to Dubrovnik, the shimmering “Pearl of the Adriatic” and one of the most celebrated cities in Europe. Enclosed by its iconic medieval walls, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a maze of marble streets, baroque churches, and terracotta rooftops set against the deep blue sea. Despite earthquakes and centuries of conflict, Dubrovnik’s Old Town stands proudly preserved, with landmarks like the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, and the grand Onofrio Fountain greeting visitors at every turn.
Stroll the Stradun, the city’s elegant main promenade, where history and culture blend with lively cafés and gelato shops. For panoramic views, climb the ancient ramparts or take the cable car up Mount Srđ, where the setting sun casts a golden glow over the Adriatic and the Elaphiti Islands beyond. Dubrovnik is the perfect prologue to your cycling adventure, offering both old-world charm and breathtaking coastal beauty.
Distance: 95 kms (59 miles) / Elevation Gain: 1428 m (4712 feet) / Saddle Time: 5+ hours
The ride begins with a steady climb out of Dubrovnik, rewarding you with sweeping views of the Adriatic before crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The inland stretch is rugged and rolling, demanding a consistent rhythm before a long descent delivers you to the Montenegrin coast.
From here, the road traces the edge of the Bay of Kotor, often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Every bend reveals new panoramas of limestone cliffs, deep blue water, and stone villages clinging to the shore. The final push carries you into the UNESCO-listed town of Kotor, where medieval walls rise dramatically up the mountains, a fitting finale to a challenging and spectacular day’s ride.
Distance: 70 kms (43 miles) / Elevation Gain: 745 m (2458 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours
Today’s ride begins with a farewell to Montenegro’s majestic Bay of Kotor. A picturesque morning cycle next to the water’s edge unveils fresh perspectives of the Bay of Kotor. A short ferry trip across the bay brings you to Kamenari, then onwards to Herceg Novi before a steady climb carries you inland toward the Croatian border. Quiet backroads unfold through rugged landscapes, where olive groves and small hamlets break up the mountain scenery. The border crossing marks your return to Croatia, and with it comes a thrilling descent back toward the Adriatic.
Your destination is Cavtat, a serene coastal town often described as Dubrovnik’s quieter cousin. Its pine-shaded promenades, pebbled coves, and laid-back charm offer the perfect contrast to the day’s challenging climbs. After a rewarding ride, unwind by the waterfront with a cool drink as fishing boats drift in and the sun sets across the bay.
Distance: 94 kms (58 miles) / Elevation Gain: 1053 m (3475 feet) / Saddle Time: 4.5+ hours
From Cavtat, the ride climbs inland, trading the Adriatic coast for the rugged landscapes of Herzegovina. The gradients are demanding but rewarding, with long stretches across open valleys and quiet backroads. A section of the historic Ćiro Trail adds a unique flavor to the day — tunnels, old railway bridges, and sweeping views making the effort worthwhile.
Crossing back into Croatia, the descent toward the Pelješac Peninsula is a highlight, fast and panoramic as the sea returns to view. The stage finishes in Ston, a fortified town famed for its vast defensive walls and ancient salt pans. After a tough day’s riding, fresh oysters and a glass of local wine are the perfect recovery.
This morning, we have arranged a two-hour transfer back to Dubrovnik, watching the Adriatic and its scattered islands slip by as you return to where your adventure began.
After days of coastal climbs, sweeping descents, and hidden valleys, take a moment to reflect on the journey. From the quiet vineyards of Herzegovina to the dramatic Bay of Kotor. You’ve cycled across borders, cultures, and landscapes, experiencing the very best of the Adriatic and the Balkans.
All our accommodation selections are in-house reviewed. We partner with family-owned, charming guesthouses and hotels where you can relax and recharge. Below are some sample accommodations on our Croatia & West Balkans tours. Depending on availability, the accommodation you stay at may vary but will always be of a similar standard.
Newly built and opened in June 2021, boutique Hotel Porto offers a unique collection of rooms and suites furnished to the highest standards, coupled with a savouring choice of food and drinks in an unforgettable setting, it provides the ideal urban retreat in Dubrovnik. Our personal attention to detail, excellence of service and luxury casual design provide for a truly memorable stay. The young and friendly team is always on hand to provide to make your visit to Dubrovnik unforgettable.
Nestled in the picturesque city of Kotor, Montenegro, Hotel Splendido offers a delightful retreat for travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and breathtaking views. With its prime location and exceptional amenities, this 3-star hotel guarantees an unforgettable stay. From the moment you step into the elegant lobby, you’ll be captivated by the warm hospitality and inviting ambiance that Hotel Splendido exudes.
Hotel Ostrea is located in the center of Mali Ston. The rooms are facing the bay and they offer a glimpse of history. The hotel is the previous home of fishermen, sailors and field workers. Thick stone walls provide guests with a unique experience.
“Lounge bar” Mlinica is part of a hotel. The picturesque terrace gives you a chance to enjoy the view and savor some of the most tasteful traditional delicatesse meals.
This tour is in our Challenging difficulty grading. Consisting of a blend of cycle lanes, quiet country roads and some rougher gravel trails, it is recommended to be comfortable riding in all terrains. This tour takes place where the sea meets the mountains, with some long distances and big elevation gains. For experienced riders only.
We offer electric mountain bikes, gravel bikes and hardtail MTBs on this tour.
This is a tour of discovery and with it comes an ever evolving backdrop to enjoy during the cycle. If your idea of a perfect bike tour is a test of your fitness and skill, but with rewards of seeing parts lesser known, this tour is the one for you.
With incredible landmarks along the route as well as top tier food & wine stops, you’ll discover more about the Balkan’s rich culture in a few days than most would dream of in a month.
You have a choice of bringing your own bike or renting your tour bike through us during booking. For Croatia & West Balkans, the bikes available are robust electric mountain bikes, manual gravel bikes or hardtail MTBs. If an electric bike is chosen, it will bring the daily saddle time down by approximately 1 hour.
We only partner with the best bike suppliers for all our destinations so you’ll be guaranteed well maintained, premium brand bikes such as Cube, Trek or KTM.
All bike rentals come with helmet, lock, panniers and repair kit. A network of mechanics are on call in case of any mechanical issues faced while on tour.
We offer tours in Croatia from March – October. At the start and end of the tour season, the average temperatures in Dubrovnik are approximately 15 °C (50 °F). These are also the quietest times of the season to miss queues at famous landmarks. Temperatures peak average at 30 °C (86 °F) in July & August and are also the driest months. Temperatures as high as 35 °C (95 °F) have been recorded, but these are quite rare. Please see image below for reference.
As a lot of ground is covered on this tour, you may be exposed to different weather systems. For inland regions such as Trebinje, temperatures can rise as high as 40°C (104°F).
We include detailed navigation instructions and GPX files for your ride. Our navigation app is easy to use and we give a detailed instructional video on how to use it. If you are having any difficulty, we are on call at all times to assist you.
Croatia & West Balkans generally has a good level of English fluency in the more popular destinations by the coast. Further inland & lesser ventured areas, prevalence of English may not be as common.
Included in your tour, is 24/7 message and video support. If you have an issue with navigation, bike breakdown, accommodation, medical, etc, we are at the touch of a button away at all times.
We have an extensive network of suppliers along the route, who will resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.
If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for above, visit our general FAQ page for more information or simply reach out to us with the “Ask A Question” button on the side.
3* or 4* Accommodation Throughout
Breakfast Each Morning
Ferry/Taxi Return to Dubrovnik
Luggage Transfer
Itinerary & Navigation Documentation
Tips & Local Insights
24-Hour Support