Road cycling facts
- Road cycling routes in Croatia
many
- Best time to travel
March to June and September to October
- Flight connections
Edelweiss tips:
Besides nature and cultural highlights, Croatia has plenty of sports adventures on offer for road cycling fans. The best way to get to know the ‘Land of 1,000 Islands’ is to travel by boat and bicycle. Many companies, such as Islandhopping, offer cycling cruises with road bikes, e-bikes or mountain bikes, so that cyclists can discover the islands along Croatia’s Adriatic coast. The tours often start in the Istrian port city of Pula and end in Split or Dubrovnik. Edelweiss operates non-stop flights from Zurich to all three cities. Thanks to the airline’s open jaw flights, there is nothing getting in the way of enjoying an unforgettable tour across Croatia. Self-guided cyclists need to be aware that bicycle transport is only provided on ferries, and not on catamarans.
Top road cycling routes in Croatia
Road cycling tour in Istria with a Tuscan flair Light
Idyllic vineyards and steep climbs paired with flat terrain and good roads: the northern Istrian peninsula is also typically referred to as the ‘Tuscany of Croatia’. Italian is widely spoken and the road signs are bilingual. Poreč, on the western coast of the peninsula, has made a name for itself as a gateway to road cycling tours. Numerous cycling hotels and road cycling companies are based here. Cyclists who take the quiet road from Poreč to Višnjan, and then on to Kadum, can enjoy a leisurely tour that takes roughly two hours to complete. This route is a great warm-up, complemented by sensational sea views.
- Length of tour 2 h 10 min
- Distance 31,8 km
- Ascent 280 m
- Descent -280m
Učka, Istria’s highest mountain range Difficult
Istria features some well-established road cycling routes, such as the ride through the Mirna valley, a tour to the village of Motovun or a detour to the bay of Lim. Učka, Istria’s highest mountain range, in another highlight for cyclists. The area of Učka includes a nature park by the same name and is home to the Poklon mountain pass. Many road cyclists choose to cycle up Poklon for the amazing views that stretch as far as Italy. Situated at the top of the pass, the Dopolavoro restaurant is a good place to stop and enjoy some local specialities. The town of Pazin provides fairly direct access to the Učka mountain range, where the steep ascent (with gradients up to 18%) with light traffic to the top of Poklon begins. Following the winding descent, the last few kilometres of the tour follow the coastline back to Pazin in the hinterland.
- Length of tour 12 h 15 min
- Distance 221 km
- Ascent 4’570m
- Descent -4’440 m
Day tour in the Kvarner Gulf – from Poreč to Krk Medium
Many road cyclists will want to explore one or several of Croatia’s more than 1,200 islands from Istria. The famous island of Krk can be reached by road bike within a day, with two ferry crossings. Cyclists are strongly recommended to get an early start, as this day tour takes roughly eight hours. Departing from Poreč, the route cuts right across Istria to Brestova in the Kvarner Gulf, which is where the first ferry crossing to the island of Cres departs from. The roads on Cres are in good condition, and the scenery with steep rocky bays lined by turquoise water is very impressive. After cycling across Cres, the tour continues by ferry to Krk. Tip: cyclists are advised to check the ferry timetables well ahead of time, as ferry connections between some of the islands only run once a day. Ferry ticket reservations are not necessary in Croatia.
- Length of tour 6 h 30 min
- Distance 124 km
- Ascent 1’970 m
- Descent -1’820 m
A holiday in Dalmatia – island hopping and cycling Difficult
Dalmatia on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea is a well-known island holiday destination. A lesser known fact is that the Dalmatian islands can be explored by road bike via ferry crossings. It takes about a week to cycle from Split to Dubrovnik, including stops along the way to rest and swim in the sea. This cycling experience is best described as premium island hopping in and across a picture-perfect Mediterranean landscape. However, cyclists must watch out for potholes on some of the island, and are advised to carry the right tools and a spare tyre with them. The great news is that road traffic is scarce on the islands, even on the main roads.
- Length of tour 7 days
- Distance approx. 669 km
- Ascent 9’200 m
- Descent -9’210 m
Split – small loop from the city centre Medium
Though not yet widely known as a road cycling destination, Split has several exciting loops and day tours up its sleeve. An interesting coastal tour with lovely sea views starts right by Split’s railway station. The route is just under 25 km long and leads along the coast to Omiš. Situated at the mouth of the Cetina river, Omiš boasts a picturesque old town and has many bars and restaurants. Cyclists who decide to stop for a swim in Omiš should make sure to visit the nearby fishing villages with superb beaches. After a stop in Omiš, the route continues with a moderate ascent on a well-kept road up to the lookout near Gornje Sitno, and then back down to Split again.
- Duration of tour 2 h 55 min
- Distance 60,5 km
- Ascent 880 m
- Descent -880 m
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