Croatia & West Balkans 8-Day Gentle

Croatia & West Balkans
8-Day Gentle

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Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation353 m (1159 feet)
  • Daily Distance32 km (20 miles)
  • Total Distance191 kms (118 miles)
  • StartDubrovnik, Croatia
  • FinishDubrovnik, Croatia
  • Local AirportsDubrovnik DBV
  • Tour SeasonMar 1 - Oct 31
  • Food & DrinkYes
  • History & CultureYes
  • Sun & SeaYes
  • Electric BikeYes
  • Gravel BikingYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation353 m (1159 feet)
  • Daily Distance32 km (20 miles)
  • Total Distance191 kms (118 miles)
  • StartDubrovnik, Croatia
  • FinishDubrovnik, Croatia

Highlights

  • Dubrovnik: Begin your journey in the "Pearl of the Adriatic," a UNESCO World Heritage city famed for its medieval walls, terracotta rooftops, and shimmering Adriatic views.
  • Trebinje: Cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina to discover this riverside gem, where Ottoman bridges, leafy squares, and hillside monasteries showcase a slower pace of life.
  • Ćiro Trail: Cycle along the historic Austro-Hungarian railway line, now a peaceful bike route through valleys & tunnels.
  • Ston: Home to Europe’s longest stone walls and ancient salt pans, this fortified town is also known for fresh oysters and its gateway to the Pelješac Peninsula.
  • Orebić: A charming seafaring town framed by vineyards and beaches, offering panoramic views across the channel to the island of Korčula.
  • Korčula Island: Explore one of the Adriatic’s most captivating islands, where quiet coastal roads lead through olive groves, medieval villages, and the fabled birthplace of Marco Polo.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dubrovnik

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.

Day 2: Dubrovnik - Trebinje

Distance: 26 kms (16 miles) / Elevation Gain: 268 m (885 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-3.5 hours

Today’s ride takes you inland from the Adriatic coast to the welcoming town of Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The route begins with a steady climb out of Dubrovnik, where each turn rewards you with wider views of the coastline and the Elaphiti Islands behind. Crossing the border, the scenery shifts to quiet valleys and rolling hills, with far less traffic and a slower pace.

Arriving in Trebinje, you’ll find a charming riverside town shaded by ancient plane trees and dotted with Ottoman bridges and monasteries. The gentle ride and relaxed atmosphere make this a perfect introduction to the inland landscapes of the Balkans.

Day 3: Trebinje - Zavala

Distance: 45 kms (28 miles) / Elevation Gain: 50 m (166 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Leaving Trebinje, today’s ride follows a quieter inland route through rolling countryside and fertile valleys. You’ll soon join a section of the historic Ćiro Trail, once an Austro-Hungarian railway line and now a peaceful cycling path with gentle gradients, stone tunnels, and wide-open views.

The ride ends in Zavala, a small hamlet near Ravno where limestone hills and vineyards create a tranquil, unspoiled setting. With little traffic and plenty of space to breathe, this stage offers a calm and rewarding day in the saddle.

Day 4: Zavala - Ston

Distance: 37 kms (23 miles) / Elevation Gain: 490 m (1617 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-3.5 hours

From the quiet hills of Zavala, today’s ride rolls westward, following peaceful backroads across the border and gradually returning toward the Adriatic. It’s a stretch of road where the solitude and wide horizons make for perfect, meditative riding.

As the landscape shifts, the coast comes back into view, and with it a thrilling descent toward the Pelješac Peninsula. Your day finishes in Ston, a medieval town famed for its massive stone walls. They are among the longest in Europe and its centuries-old salt pans also. With fresh oysters and seafood on hand, Ston offers the perfect recovery reward after a full day in the saddle.

Day 5: Ston - Žuljana

Distance: 25 kms (16 miles) / Elevation Gain: 303 m (998 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-3.5 hours

Stay close to the Adriatic as you leave the medieval walls of Ston behind and follow quiet coastal roads across the Pelješac Peninsula. The route undulates gently through vineyards and olive groves, with regular glimpses of the glittering sea.

Your destination is Žuljana, a charming fishing village tucked into a sheltered bay. Known for its sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere, it’s an idyllic stop where you can unwind after a rewarding day’s ride and enjoy the slower rhythm of peninsula life.

Day 6: Žuljana - Orebić

Distance: 31 kms (19 miles) / Elevation Gain: 564 m (1860 feet) / Saddle Time: 1.5-3 hours

Leaving the quiet bay of Žuljana, today’s ride continues along the Pelješac Peninsula, where vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees line the way. The terrain is mostly rolling, with steady climbs balanced by gentle descents that open to spectacular sea views.

The final approach to Orebić is especially scenic, with panoramas across the channel to the island of Korčula. Once a proud seafaring town, Orebić now offers palm-lined promenades, pebbled beaches, and a relaxed coastal charm, the perfect base before your island adventure.

Day 7: Korčula Loop Ride

Distance: 27 kms (17 miles) / Elevation Gain: 445 m (1468 feet) / Saddle Time: 1.5-3 hours

This morning begins with a short ferry crossing from Orebić to the island of Korčula, often called “Little Dubrovnik” for its fortified old town and medieval streets. Once ashore, the day is yours to enjoy a loop ride across the island, where quiet roads wind through vineyards, cypress groves, and sleepy stone villages. The terrain offers a mix of rolling hills and coastal stretches.

End the day exploring the maze of narrow lanes in the old town of Korcula, said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, and enjoy a well-earned evening by the water . The perfect finale to your island cycling adventure.

Day 8: Depart from Dubrovnik

This morning, board a fast catamaran for a scenic two-hour journey 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 island beauty of Korčula. You’ve cycled across borders, cultures, and landscapes, experiencing the very best of the Adriatic and the Balkans.

Map

Accommodation

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.

Dubrovnik: Hotel Porto

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.

Ston: Hotel Ostrea

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.

Orebić: Younique Bellevue Hotel

Aminess Younique Bellevue Hotel is an elegant place that exudes the atmosphere of the Mediterranean maritime tradition, and Orebić is the city of captains and sailors.

The hotel offers a view of the Pelješac Channel, the town of Korčula, and the archipelago of about 20 islands in the distance. Yachts elegantly glide right under your window.

FAQ

What Is the cycle like?

This tour is in our Gentle 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, so comfort with elevation gain is a must.

We offer electric mountain bikes, gravel bikes and hardtail MTBs on this tour.

Is this tour for me?

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 pushing past beginner, 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.

Tour includes

  • 7 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Return travel back to Dubrovnik at the end of your tour
  • Detailed itinerary, GPX files and printable maps of your route
  • Tips on local attractions, history & evening meals
  • On call support before and during your tour

Tour excludes

  • Flights and transfers to and from the trail heads
  • Lunches & Dinners
  • Insurance
  • Bike rental (Selected on checkout)

The Bikes

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.

What Is The Climate Like?

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).

Is The Tour Easy To Navigate?

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.

What If There Is An Issue On Tour?

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.

 

More FAQ

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.

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Price

Croatia & West Balkans 8-Day Gentle

From$1,382
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Tour Includes


3* or 4* Accommodation Throughout

Breakfast Each Morning

Ferry/Taxi Return to Dubrovnik

Luggage Transfer

Itinerary & Navigation Documentation

Tips & Local Insights

24-Hour Support

From$1,382
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