Gail Cook Private Cycling Sarajevo to Dubrovnik Self-Guided (7Days)
From EUR 1'050
+5 Additional options
The Central Dinaric Alps have been a natural border between the coastal towns of the Adriatic and highland trading cities and settlements along the Ottoman caravan routes to Istanbul. Few have been to the region and even fewer have cycled the old Roman, Ottoman and Austro Hungarian narrow gauge railway routes connecting the Bosnian highlands with the Croatian coast. This is a challenging guided and fully supported cycling trip on mainly paved and secondary roads with few dirt roads. This trip is for those interested in finding out more about the diverse cultures in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Western Balkans. Immersing themselves with their bikes into the rich history of the region, while treating themselves to a great workout and lots of authentic food and drink.
Your rides take you deep into the mountains, passing small isolated settlements where the way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. Both on and off the bikes you have an opportunity to explore the unique cultural heritage bestowed on this small ancient mountain kingdom. Starting in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital and host of the 1984 Winter Olympics games, there is all within arms reach during this unforgettable three days of riding and exploring. Medieval tombstones scattered around the side of the road tell of a time long past. Charming Mostar with its famous bridge a symbol connecting East and West.
The trail also follows the old Narrow-gauge railway connecting Herzegovina regions with Dubrovnik. The narrow-gauge railway was built in the early 20th century by Austro Hungarians and connected Mostar with Dubrovnik and Konavle in Croatia. The first ‘’Ćiro’’ passed this railway on 15th July 1901. As the railway was abolished in the 70s idea for revitalising it as a biking trail that connects two different cross border regions as a unique tourism offer showed as a clear historical and cultural identity decision. Opened in 2017, this spectacular route takes you across the border and through some beautiful tourist attractions from both regions (B&H and Croatia) following karst field, wineries, old Monasteries and pilgrimage places, bridges, tunnels, rivers, fields, etc. and these trails will connect all the attractions together.
- Patch together the tumultuous history of Sarajevo, the European Jerusalem
- Ride over Bjelasnica, the 1984 Olympic mountain range
- Swim in Boracko Glacial Lake
- Walk over the Mostar Old Bridge
- Explore the wine routes of Herzegovina
- Ride the Ciro Austro Hungarian narrow-gauge railway
- Zavala Orthodox monastery
- Vjetrenica Cave
- Cross the rugged Dinaric Alps
- Dubrovnik Old Town
- Swim in the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea
- Category
- Self-Guided
Day 1: Igman War Route and the Olympic Experience
On your first day, you’ll stare into the distance and study the day’s path from Sarajevo to Igman and Bjelašnica Mountain, the site of the men's downhill and ski jump during the 1984 Olympic Winter Games. Riding along the war route over Igman that was connecting Sarajevo to the outside world during the war in the '90s.
61kilometers ❘ ascent: 1,300 meters
Dinner / Overnight in Tusila, Vrela Mountain Hut
OPTIONAL: Visit Sarajevo Tunnel Museum
Entrance fee: 15BAM (direct local payment)
Day 2: Caravan route over Bjelasnica and Visocica mountain range in the Dinaric Alps
Starting directly from Tusila village, today you roll over Bjelašnica and Visočica mountain ranges to Boračko lake, following the “Caravan” trading route once used during the Ottoman era. The gentle asphalt road will soon give way to a more challenging and steep road on a stretch between the Bjelašnica and Visočica Massifs through the heart of the Visočica Range. However, as is often the case in the Balkans, lessons here come at human speed—and specifically when you stop. You pass medieval tombstones, monuments of Bosnia’s mediaeval history, and a reminder of what once was a Kingdom stretching all the way to the Dalmatian coast.
53kilometers ❘ ascent: 680 meters
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner / Overnight in Boracko Jezero, Vila Sunce
OPTIONAL: Stay an extra day at Boracko lake and discover firsthand the thrills of white water rafting on the Neretva river.
Neretva White Water Rafting Extension
100 EUR per person. Includes extra night at Boracko Lake, Full Board, and Transportation to and from the Rafting.
Day 3: Biking from the Warm Emerald Waters of Boracko Glacier Lake to Mostar
You start the morning and warm up your legs strenuous climb out of Boračko Lake with a spectacular ride across the Prenj mountain range, the side of the Bosnian Himalayas. This is a challenging ride with switchbacks and climbing on a mix of decent gravel and asphalt roads.
60kilometers ❘ ascent: 940 meters
Breakfast, Packed Lunch / Overnight in Mostar, Hotel Almira.
Day 4: Cycling through the history: ride along the narrow-gauge railway from Mostar to Capljina
Today's ride starts in Mostar and ends in Capljina. At the beginning itself, you stop at Blagaj to visit the spring of the Buna river and a historic tekke (the Dervish Monastery). This 600-year-old Sufi monastery, referred to as Tekke or Tekija, is uniquely perched on a 200-metre-high cliff that hugs the entire area. We recommend you visit Dervish Monastery.
65kilometers ❘ ascent: 410 meters
Breakfast, Packed Lunch / Overnight in Capljina, Storia Hotel.
Day 5: Cycling through the history: ride along the narrow-gauge railway from Hutovo Blato to Zavala
Today's ride along with crisscrossing fields and mounting beautiful old railway bridges gets you through the Hutovo Blato Nature Park, a gravel path of viaducts and old railway tunnels. Throughout the day we stop at various observation points passing through old railway stations: Capljina - Roman Villa Rustica - Ciro station Brstanica - Ciro station Ravno - Ciro station Zavala. In Zavala, we advise you to visit one of the biggest speleological sights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Vjetrenica Cave. Another place of interest is the XVI sec. Christian Orthodox Monastery of Zavala.
60kilometers ❘ ascent: 950 meters
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner / Overnight in Zavala, Guesthouse Zavala.
Day 6: Cycling through history: ride along the narrow-gauge railway from Zavala to Dubrovnik
We begin our ride along with Popovo fields. This area flooded regularly in the past and as a result, most of the old villages are located up on the sides of the dry limestone mountains and ridges. We cycle along old train tracks repurposed as village roads in the direction of Ivanica Border Crossing. There's very little or no traffic at all and the route is enjoyable for riding.
57kilometers ❘ ascent: 450meters
Breakfast, Packed Lunch / Overnight in Dubrovnik, Hotel Komodor
Day 7: End of Service after breakfast
Breakfast
Fact File
- Departure time: your decision, preferably in the morning
- Estimated time of return: your decision, preferably in the afternoon
- Included: Accommodation: 3x night Hotel and 3x nights Family-run Pension in Twin/Double rooms with ensuite Bathroom; Food: 6x breakfasts, 5x packed lunches, and 3x dinners; 24/7 hotline number (support) Green Visions office; Luggage transfers between stages (depending on the package); E-Bike rental; Navigation package: GPS tracks & road-book.
- NOT included: Flights to & from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Dubrovnik, Croatia; Meals not specified in the itinerary; International Travel insurance; Optional tipping to local staff; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.); Any items not specifically mentioned in the program.
- Options: Price is per person, double occupancy; Single rooms are available on a request basis at certain places; All travellers will be paired with a same-gender roommate when a roommate is available.
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What to bring: Cycling gear is recommended / padded shorts, suitable footwear, a day pack, 1 litre of water, rain gear, helmet and water bottle. Please contact us if you need any equipment (helmets, water bottles etc).
Additional notes
E-Bike rental includes: a fully equipped rental bike for the duration of the tour, patch kit, spare tube, pump, lock, rack and a water bottle holder.
E-Bike (bike rental included in the price, depending on the package you choose).
*Helmets
It is required to wear helmets on this tour. In order to guarantee optimum protection, we request that you bring your own helmet and - for your own safety - wear it on all bike tours. A limited number of helmets are available to rent, at the time of booking, though it is highly recommended to bring your own helmet.
Pannier rental: 80EUR per person per trip
Neretva White Water Rafting Extension: 100 EUR per person. Includes extra night at Boracko Lake, Full Board, and Transportation to and from the rafting. This extension can be done after finishing Day 2 of your bike ride.
Sarajevo City tour: 25 EUR per person, based on 2 people minimum
Mostar City tour: 25EUR per person, based on 2 people minimum
Single supplement: 155EUR per person
Pre-tour stay, Sarajevo
Single room: 60EUR per room
Double room: 80EUR per room
Post-tour stay, Dubrovnik, prices vary from the season.
Possible Transfers
Transfer by public Bus: Sarajevo – Dubrovnik: 38 EUR per person (Departure times during the summer – everyday 2,30 pm and 10,30 pm).
Private transfer from Sarajevo – Dubrovnik: 300 EUR per vehicle (1-3 participants)
Private transfer from Mostar – Dubrovnik: 150 EUR per vehicle (1-3 participants)
