• Highlights

• Stunning single trail descent to Adriatic sea
• Amazing panoramas to the Adriatic coast and islands
• Riding through the wild forrests of NP Risnjak
• Old town of Zagreb

TransDinarica is a new and exciting long-distance MTB route, taking the adventurous traveler through the Dinaric mountains of Slovenia, Croatia and Western Balkan countries. On this tour, we will discover the Croatian part of this exciting MTB trail. We will ride through the evergreen forests of NP Risnjak before an exciting single trail descent to the Adriatic Coast. We continue with one of the most challenging rides on 2 wheels in Croatia – ascent to Velebit mountain and Zavizan mountain hut. The trail continues along the main ridge of Velebit, Croatian greatest mountain, taking us through a maze of limestone rocks, towers and cliffs, before enjoying stunning panoramas to the Adriatic coast and islands. Towards the end the tour we ride around Zrmanja river and Vransko Lake and end in Biograd na moru, a small coastal town where we will enjoy the Mediterranean spirit and cuisine of the region. Dinaric moutains and Adriatic Sea await you!

• Itinerary

• Day 1 – ARRIVAL TO ZAGREB

  Arrival to Zagreb and transfer to hotel in the center. Dinner in a local restaurant and a stroll through the 900 year old streets of Old Town of Zagreb. Overnight.

  • Dinner in a local restaurant / Hotel (ensuite bathroom)

• Day 2 – NATIONAL PARK RISNJAK

  Morning transfer to Gorski Kotar region and start of our TransDinarica Cycling Adventure of Croatia. We cycle through the heart of the NP Risnjak, with views to the forests of the Gorski Kotar region, as well as rugged Dinaric peaks such as Veliki Risnjak (1528m/highest peak of NP) and Snjeznik (1505m). We continue cycling to Lokvarsko lake, where we enjoy some nice single trails, before arriving at our base for the night – Fuzine, a pleasant small town founded in the 17th century, with a long tourist tradition.

  Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Fužine.

  

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

• Day 3 – FROM FUZINE TO ADRIATIC SEA

  Today, we ride a part of a new and exciting MTB bike race held in the area of Gorski Kotar and the Northern Adriatic coast – „Fuzine to sea“.

  We start from our hotel and pass below the mountains of Primorje, before we start our descent to the coast, on an exciting single trail leading us towards Novi Vinodolski town. We continue above Novi Vinodolski, on the slopes, until we reach Senj, once upon a time home of „Senjski Uskoci“ – brave medieval resistance army that fought the Ottoman and Venetian invaders.

  Accommodation, dinner and overnight in Senj.

  

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

• Day 4 – ASCENT TO VELEBIT MOUNTAIN & ZAVIZAN HUT (1598M)

  Fourth day of our TransDinarica Cycling Adventure of Croatia is devoted to one of the biggest challenges on the Croatian part of the trail – we ascend the mighty mountain of Velebit, the heart of the Dinaric mountain range in Croatia. It is said that what Olymp mountain is to Greeks or Triglav to Slovenians, this is what Velebit is to Croatian people – the pride of the Croatian Dinarics!

  A short but tough ascent will reward us with more beautiful views of the Northern Adriatic coast and islands. We start from sea level and gradually ascend towards Velebit. Upon reaching the Oltare pass we join the road to the entrance of the National Park Northern Velebit (Babic Sica), from where we continue on gravel roads to Zavizan mountain hut – the highest meteorological station of Croatia and our base for the night.

  We enjoy afternoon views of the Northern Adriatic Islands, almost 1600m below us. On a clear day, it is possible to see all the way to the Apennines of Italy and for the really lucky ones, across northern Italy, to the peaks of famous Dolomites!

  Dinner and overnight at Zavizan mountain hut.

  

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

• Day 5 – VELEBIT MOUNTAIN CYCLING TRAVERSE

  One of the highlights of the trip, day 5 offers a ride along the main ridge of Velebit mountain – the largest and longest mountain of Croatia. We explore the forests and meadows as well as enjoy views to the amazing forms that Nature has created in the karstic relief of the Dinarics.

  We ride through the heart of National Park Northern Velebit and then continue to Central Velebit and Baske Ostarije – a mountain pass that divides Central and Southern Velebit, where we end our day’s ride.

  Dinner and overnight.

  

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

• Day 6 – CYCLING LIKA REGION

  We descend from Baske Ostarije by the northern slopes of central Velebit and continue to follow the southeastern direction of the mountain. We ride near Gospic town and explore the Lika region – known for fertile land, clean rivers, its forests and rich wildlife. Named after a Greek word for wolf („lykos“), Lika has always been home to many important wildlife species, including the 3 „big beasts“ of Croatia: bears, wolves and lynx.

  We finish the ride in the small town of Lovinac, situated underneath the slopes of southern Velebit. Dinner and overnight.

  

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

• Day 7 – ACROSS VELEBIT TO ZRMANJA RIVER

  Today we enjoy another traverse of Velebit – this time we cross from north to the southern side of the mountain, by an old „Majstorska cesta“ road. This gravel road with some rougher sections was built in the 19th century, during the Austro-Hungarian rule of Croatia and it was one of the masterpieces of road building at the time. Also, it is one of the most beautiful panoramic roads of Croatia!

  The road ascends from the village of Sv. Rok, across Mali Halan pass and near the „Tulove grede“ – grand limestone rock towers that overlook the whole area of southern Velebit and amaze us with their forms and natural beauty. It is at this sight and around Zrmanja river where some of the most amazing scenes of „Winettou“ were shot.

  During the descent, we enjoy views of the islands and the coast of the Zadar region. We arrive at the banks of Zrmanja river and enjoy a nice lunch and some fresh air coming with the stream of this karstic river beauty. The brave ones can even have a swim in the cold clean waters of Zrmanja, after a tough „Velebit traverse“.

  Short transfer to a very nice coastal town Biograd na moru, where we will enjoy our last afternoon of the program, absorbing the Mediterranean spirit of the place and enjoying some local cuisine and famous Dalmatian wines. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in a hotel.

  

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

• Day 8 – ZADAR AIRPORT DEPARTURE

  Transfer to airport (Zadar / Split / Zagreb) and departure.

• Walking profile

Number of days cycling: 6
Level: moderate and moderate to challenging
Average daily distance: 60 km / 38 miles
Terrain:60% gravel, 20% asphalt, 10% single trail

• Who is guiding the tour?

29 years of experience in the organization of hiking programs in Croatia and around the world, combined with a team of well-versed tour guides who are passionate about nature and cultural and historical heritage, this is the recipe that results in every tour concocted in the VMD adventure lab being a successful ‘experiment’. Let us introduce you to the secrets of adventurous Croatia in a safe and interesting way! More about our tour leaders and the office crew here: VMD GUIDES