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The southern area of Croatia offers a wonderful variety of great cycling trails. The beauty of its coastal landscape and islands, the cultural delights of its historic towns and the welcome embrace of the Mediterranean climate make it one of the best places in Europe for a cycling holiday.
You can breeze through the vineyards, olive groves and fertile fields of the Pelješac peninsula and explore the medieval architecture of the Konavle valley, Korčula island and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the walled city of Dubrovnik.
You can combine cycling with cruising in an island-hopping two-wheeled odyssey or cycle the Ćiro Trail, which follows an old narrow-gauge railway line from Dubrovnik to Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Where is Dubrovnik and Neretva County?
Dubrovnik and Neretva County is Croatia's southernmost region, and consists of two main parts: the southern area, a long, thin length of coastline running between the borders of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the city of Dubrovnik and surrounding areas, and the northern half, containing the Neretva Delta and more mountainous inland landscapes. The countryside is mainly agricultural and scenically stunning, with a backdrop of mountains descending steeply towards the coast before the terrain flattens out as it nears the sea.
This region embraces not only these mainland areas, but also several beautiful islands such as of Mljet and Korčula and the Pelješac peninsula - virtually an island itself as it's joined to the coast by a slim strip of land.
At the heart of the county is the city of Dubrovnik, made famous as the filming location for the fictional city of King's Landing in the TV series Games of Thrones, its rich history, stunning architecture and picturesque location make it a must-visit part of your trip to Dubrovnik and Neretva County.
Croatia's prime tourist season begins around April and ends around the beginning of October, and during that time there are excellent connections via flights from the UK to Dubrovnik airport as well as many other Croatian cities.
Biking highlights of Dubrovnik and Neretva County
We're not suggesting you whizz through Dubrovnik itself on your bike - it's a bit busy and many of the streets are a bit narrow for that. But this region has plenty to attract two-wheeled travellers.
Konavle has a variety of signposted short bike routes centred on its main town of Cavtat, lasting from one to two hours, mostly using tarmac roads and some gravel tracks. Dubrovnik's islands are also great for exploring by bike. Mountain bikes, gravel bikes or road bikes, there are options to suit all sorts. Mljet, for example, has tarmac and gravel cycle paths and a challenging full-day 80km route for the ultra-fit cyclist. Korčula has several enjoyable road routes including fast descents and tricky climbs on mountain and coastal roads.
And on the Pelješac peninsula, you'll find a series circular bike routes on a mix of macadam and asphalt, ranging from moderate to very strenuous, that all give a good workout and provide a brilliant way to explore this stunning stretch of coastline that can also feel like an island too.
Back on the mainland and close to the city of Ploče, the stunning Baćina Lakes offer visitors a fantastic circular trail that let's you immerse yourself in the surrounding landscapes.
For something a bit different, specialist tour operators, offer combination cruise/cycle trips where you island-hop and cruise the coast and explore the areas around each stop by bike - a great way to get the most out of this region.
Here are six very different cycle route highlights around the Dubrovnik and Neretva County region.
Pelješac peninsula loop from Orebić
Distance: 36 km
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
If you're into cross country mountain biking—the kind that involves pedalling up on hardtails, rather than hooning it downhill over jumps—then this looped trail on the Pelješac peninsula is a wonderful option. The route starting point is the picturesque port town of Orebić, famous for its traditional mediterranean architecture and beautiful beaches.
From here, you climb 300 vertical metres up to Vlaštica—the hardest part of the ride—before descending on dirt roads to Županje selo. After another short climb up around the 415m-high peak of Kriz, you head for the pass above Potomje and descend once more to the coast. From here, it's a straightforward pedal along a scenic tarmac road to get back to the start.
While the climbs are stiff in places, this isn't a technically difficult mountain bike ride. It'll take relatively fit riders 4-5 hours to complete on a regular bike, but if you rent an e-Bike, you can fly around in about half that.
The Ćiro Trail
Distance: 157km
Duration: 7 days
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a new paved bike route that runs from Dubrovnik in Croatia to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following an old steam train railway line which was built in 1903 during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and once ran all the way to Vienna. The section between Mostar and Dubrovnik was in operation until 1976, before being closed down. It was re-opened as a cycle route in 2017, and named Ćiro after a popular steam loco. Passing numerous abandoned towns and monasteries, and going through viaducts and old railway tunnels, the Ćiro trail has been referred to as an “open air museum”.
There are multiple ways to ride the Ćiro, from full-length trips lasting a week to shorter explorations of different sections. These Ćiro Local Mini-Trails include a gentle 40km stretch from Trebinje, inland in Bosnia-Herzegovinia to Dubrovnik.
Korčula Island Loop
Distance: 131 km
Duration: One day (for fit road cyclists), or multiple days if you want to take it slow.
Difficulty: Challenging
If you're a serious road or gravel bike enthusiast looking to take on a relatively challenging route, there are few better than the loop around Korčula Island. Located to the west of Dubrovnik, the island is easily reachable by ferry, and is something of a haven for cyclists of all stripes—it tends to be less crowded than the mainland, and is criss-crossed by excellent mountain bike and gravel bike trails, as well as scenic tarmac roads.
This cycle route takes you around pretty much the entire circumference of the island, taking in all of its major sights, as well as some serious climbs. In 131km, there's more than 2,200m of elevation gain. It's worth renting a gravel bike to tackle it. While most of it is on tarmac roads, there are close to 30km on dirt tracks, where you'll appreciate the chunkier tyres. Fit cyclists will be able to tackle this in a single day—but there's no shame in taking a little longer if you need.
Cavtat-Zvekovica-Miljasi
Distance: 26 km
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Route details: Cavtat-Zvekovica-Miljasi
This circular route, starting and finishing in Cavtat, goes along the slopes of Gornja banda (upper side), through the Konavoske polje, using a combination of asphalt and gravel surface. The route is favourable for trekking and mountain bikes.
You will have many opportunities to stop and admire your surroundings along the way, as well as finding hidden gems to explore. Some highlights include a gallery dedicated to the work of renowned Croatian artist, Miho Šiša, and the impressive Franciscan monastery at Pridvorje.
Baćina Lakes Trail
Distance: 10 km
Duration: 1 hr
Difficulty: Gentle
A gentle circular trail that's suitable for all types of riders and families, the landscapes around Baćina Lakes are truly breathtaking. The mostly paved trail can be completed by bike or on foot and is a fantastic way to explore this hidden gem. Baćina Lakes is made up of seven freshwater lakes (six of which are interconnected) and is a hotspot for biodiversity. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and is especially popular for fishing and birdwatching.
If you have time, a boat trip or SUP excursion is also recommended to truly make the most of this green paradise.
Trpanj Olive Oil Trail
Distance: 12 km (round trip)
Duration: As long as you like!
Difficulty: Gentle
A different kind of cycle excursion, perfect for gentle family rides on one of the many cycling roads around Trpanj and its surroundings. Trpanj is located on the north coast of the Pelješac peninsula, and is renowned for its untouched nature. Take a breath of fresh sea air and take in the beautiful Mediterranean sights filled with olive trees, pines and various medicinal herbs.
The cycling track begins from camp Vrilo, where a 6km walking and cycling track leads to Veliko Prapratno. You can see the centuries old olive groves and drystone walls while also witnessing new groves sprouting up. There are info panels with a detailed track listing and stone benches for rest at every intersection. Coupled with the many viewpoints dotting the track you can enjoy the breathtaking mix of stone, olives and sea.
For more information about visiting this fantastic area, go to visitdubrovnik.hr
