Croatia Bike Tours: A Local Guide’s Top Picks
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Why You Should Bike Dalmatia… By Sailboat
There are over 500 islet slivers, island slips, and seaside monoliths that make up the Dalmatian coast. And in total, they serve up over 1,800 miles of MTB trails, with everything from fast and flowy downhills to wheel-wrecking technicals. While there’s plenty of great riding to be done ashore, the islands are where the elevation, scenery, and terrain variety truly hit home for me. For example, on the island of Brač, a speedy singletrack passes an abandoned monastery and opens into a pristine sandy beach, with turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. On the island of Hvar, a switchback trail dating to ancient Greece is engulfed by a striking combination of thyme, salt, and the soft song of crickets. From leg burners between post-WWII bunkers to loops around Roman bath houses, there’s more to these small islands than first meets the eye. I won’t lie though, the bike tours on Croatia’s islands can be tough. The trails get rocky, tight, and surprisingly steep. On the rougher tracks, keeping your bike in one piece is a challenge in itself. But, with adversity comes some of the most rewarding rides in the region and backdrops straight out of a Monet. But the best part of it all? Each island is accessible by sailboat, which allows you to curate your own sail-to-bike vacation. Riders be warned: you may never want to leave. At least, that’s been the case for me.How I Became an MTB Guide
Ever since I saw my neighbor ride past my childhood home popped up on the back wheel of his bike—like a stallion rearing for battle—I’ve been hooked on two-wheel exploration. Once I could afford my own mountain bike, there was no looking back. Croatia’s crowded capital was no place for my 29-inch wheels. To my father’s dismay, I declined a job offer after graduating from uni and moved to Dalmatia with a friend to help build a house. I would have done anything if it meant I could live in mountain bike paradise. Soon after, I crashed and broke my collarbone. Go figure. I could no longer help build but my friend was generous enough to let me stay while I healed. When I did get back on the trails, I was introduced to the director of a bike tour company, who just so happened to be looking for mountain bike guides. Call it fate if you’d like. Since 2016, I’ve been guiding sailing and bike tours on the coast of Croatia, and while I’ve ridden all over the world, I can honestly say nothing compares to Dalmatia.Map of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, which runs from the island of Rab in the north to the Bay of Kotor in the south.
The Best Bike Tours in Croatia Can be Found on the Coast
Dalmatia is a curious concoction: old-timey Venetian towns are laced with Roman monuments while Italian-named restaurants serve Turkish delights and Austrian desserts. Among the islands and villages, each will have its own mix of language and culture, food, and flora. I’ve spent the last six years exploring the region by bike. Throughout my wanderings, I’ve picked out the four coastal locations that are absolute must-visits for mountain bikers. A quick note: the advantage of using a catamaran versus a larger monohull is access. Many of the islands’ ports are narrow and shallow so only modestly-sized vessels can approach the shore.Croatia Bike Tours: My Favorite Spots:
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- The Island of Brač – best for speedy downhills
- The Island of Hvar – best for year-round riding
- The Island of Vis – best for historical trails
- Omiš – best for advanced riders
My Recommended Destinations for Bike Tours in Croatia
1. The Island of Brač
The Best Mountain Bike Trails on Brač
There are a few options to get to the top. The 32-mile Supetar-Vidova Gora trail is the most popular on the island; it is fast, flowy, and the most forgiving. The 10-mile Sumartin trail is another People’s Choice. It’s an easy carriageway loop that starts in an old-timey fishing village, runs through three beautiful beaches, and comes to climax near an 11th-century Croatian church at the foot of a quarry. Throughout the ride, you’ll see a lot of sheep. That’s because Brač is popular for sheep farming. Fun fact: there are actually more sheep on the island than there are residents. You’ll also see a lot of olive trees. Another fun fact: there are more olives than sheep on the island. On the way back down the loose-rock singletrack, you can stop to explore Blaca, a 16th-century monastery carved into the side of a limestone cliff. It was used as a refuge point and place of worship by old Croat monks and nowadays operates as a museum to protect all of the historical artifacts still inside. Bear in mind that you’ll share a lot of the trails with hikers (a common occurrence here in Croatia), so you need to keep an eye out. Also, some of the more exposed routes up Vidova Gora get freakishly hot in the summertime—pack sunglasses and more water than you think you need.1. The Island of Brač - Good to Know
Beginner to advanced
150 m (490 ft) to 1,280 m (4,200 ft)
The highest trailhead is at 750 m (2,460 ft)
The higher sections of Vidova Gora get really exposed. Bring lots of water and a head cover if riding during peak season.
1-2 days
Spring through fall
Very rocky, dry, often steep
Supetar-Vidova Gora
2. The Island of Hvar
The Best Mountain Bike Trails on Hvar
I recommend that you start your bike tour of Hvar in the aptly-named ancient city of Stari Grad (“Old Town”). Once known as Faros by ancient Greek colonists (dating to the 4th century BC), this is one of the oldest cities in Europe and a modern-day UNESCO World Heritage site. Heading out of the city, a technical, rocky trail leads us to the top of St. Nicholas, the tallest mountain on the island at 2,053 feet above sea level. From there, follow the steep vineyards, with an incline up to 45 degrees, down to an underwater winery—where bottles are kept in the sea for years to mature—and meet the people keeping this ancient tradition alive. Other routes I recommend include the self-explanatory RideToTheSea, a fast half-hour downhill singletrack that will have you zipping through alternating rows of forest and vineyard, and the 54-mile Jelsa-Hvar trail, a non-technical route covering about half the island. This is ideal for sightseeing and can be split into shorter sections as you please. Common across all the trails in Dalmatia, many are rocky and some can be overgrown, so make sure to keep your eyes looking ahead. Maps and GPS are key as you’ll encounter a lot of crossroads, and the sheer amount of pathways can make it difficult to stick to a trail. And of course, you’ll want to end your tour of the island by enjoying Hvar’s notorious nightlife.2. The Island of Hvar - Good to Know
Beginner to advanced
694 m (2,280 ft)
The highest trailhead is at 600 m (1,970 ft)
Some of the uphills can be challenging, especially if you’re climbing Sveti Nikola. E-bikes are a good option here.
1-2 days
Spring, fall
Dry, some steep and technical sections
Stari Grad – Sveti Nikola loop
3. The Island of Vis
The Best Mountain Bike Trails on Vis
The seaside trails are relatively flat and easy-going, but the path to the heartland is a series of ups and downs. There’s a tough, but infinitely fun downhill from the top of Mount Hum, the highest point of the island, to the sea, full of technical descents through dense vineyards. The 15-mile Po Brdima Iznad Visa moderate trail will have you riding shepherd’s pathways, mostly macadam, from hill to hill—a ride not unlike those you find in continental Croatia. However, the rockier and cascading sections might require some hike-a-biking. A lot of the trails on Vis are old military paths and are always guaranteed good times.3. The Island of Vis - Good to Know
Intermediate to advanced
460 m (1,510 ft)
0 m (0 ft)
There are lots of dead-end detours along the tracks, follow trail markers or your GPS.
1-2 days
Good year-round
Macadamia, a little overgrown, steps and large rocks
Po Brdima Iznad Visa
4. Omiš
4. Omiš - Good to Know
Beginner to advanced
1050 m/ 3,445 ft
280 m/ 920 ft
New bikers should avoid all the jumps, kickers, gaps, and drops, which makes the enduro trails a lot less technically demanding.
1-2 days
Spring through fall
Steep, rocky, technical, often leg-burny
Perun Hill
Additional Info for Mountain Bike Tours in Croatia
What Do I Need to Pack for my Cycling Trip in Croatia?
I always recommend packing lightly, but these are part of the must-have essentials.-
- Mountain bike: Self-explanatory.
- Helmet: When cycling in Croatia, you are legally obligated to wear a helmet. And given the rocky terrain, why would you want to?
- Sunglasses: Similar to snow, the sun reflects off of the sea, making visibility an issue on coastal rides. You’ll want to see where you’re going, so we recommend bringing a pair or two of quality sunglasses.
- Gloves: Riding every day is tough on your hands, and blisters could easily put you out of action. This is why gloves are highly recommended.
- Water bottle or hydration pack: Beating a dead horse a bit here, but Croatia is a very sunny place. Even though late spring and early fall see much milder temperatures than peak summer, highly exposed areas can get dangerously hot. Bringing adequate water is crucial.
- MTB shoes: The terrain can be very harsh and rocky, so bike-specific shoes with good grip will help protect your feet.
- Backpack or hip pack: You’ll need a day-to-day pack to carry snacks, extra water, and additional layers for your rides. Choose something light, practical, and weather-resistant.
- Elbow/knee pads: Can’t hurt. If you usually wear them on your rides, feel free to bring them.
- Sunscreen: Again, it’s very sunny!