Self-guided · 8 days · Zagreb to Split
Ride at your own pace with a GPS track while a knowledgeable guide follows in the support van with your luggage, ready to help and advise.
Trip at a glance
Overview
This self-guided cycling tour lets you see the best of Croatia on two wheels at your own pace, traveling from the inland to the coast through countryside, local villages, medieval towns, rivers, lakes, national parks, mountains and finally the Adriatic islands. Day by day you ride in Plitvice Lakes, Northern Velebit and Krka national parks, then cross to Brač and Hvar.
You follow a GPS track on your phone and ride when and how you like, 40 to 60 km (25 to 37 miles) a day. A knowledgeable guide acts as your support driver: the guide follows in the support van with your luggage and spare bikes, meets you along the way, and is there to help, advise and recommend places to see and eat.
Routes are customizable and can be adapted to your wishes.
We cannot change the landscape, but within what the terrain allows we can make a ride easier or more difficult, shorter or longer. We work together with you to find the best routes for your group, in advance or with your guide on the spot, who knows the terrain.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 · Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes
You arrive in Zagreb, a lively capital with museums, bars and restaurants. If you can, come a day or two early to explore it on your own, and ask us for tips or help with arrangements.
Your guide, who is also your support driver, meets you at Zagreb airport and drives you to the Plitvice Lakes National Park area, where you settle into a peaceful village and talk through the week over dinner.
Day 2 · Plitvice Lakes National Park
Your first riding day takes you to Plitvice Lakes, the oldest national park in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sixteen turquoise lakes are linked by waterfalls and travertine pools, as beautiful as in the photos and more. The busiest parts of the park are seen from viewpoints, and most of the day is spent on quiet park roads and paths that lead into beech and pine forest away from the crowds.
You ride on your own at your own pace with the GPS track on your phone, with stops to walk beside the lakes and rest; your knowledgeable guide follows in the support van.
Day 3 · Northern Velebit National Park
Our usual ride starts at Zavižan, high on the ridge of Northern Velebit National Park, one part of the magnificent Velebit mountain, known for its preserved biodiversity and pristine wilderness. From there you cycle down toward the Gacka river valley, where clear, calm water flows between mountains. Like every day of the tour, the route is shaped around your group and the day.
You ride on your own at your own pace with the GPS track on your phone, and then the van drives you south to Skradin, a small town at the doorstep of Krka National Park.
Day 4 · Krka National Park
The Krka river drops 242 m over seven travertine waterfalls and is protected as a national park for its rich and varied wildlife. The main sights are the big Skradinski Buk waterfall, the small island of Visovac with its Franciscan monastery and the Roški waterfall.
You explore the shores by bike, a good and time-saving way to see the many beauties of the park. Afterwards the time is yours to enjoy Skradin on the brackish Prokljan lake: swim, climb to the 14th-century fortress, browse the marina, local shops, bars and restaurants, or visit nearby Šibenik and its UNESCO-protected cathedral.
Day 5 · Split and Brač Island
You drive to Split for a short visit to Diocletian's Palace, the Roman emperor's residence from the 4th century, protected by UNESCO. In Split you board the ferry to Brač, an island of beautiful beaches, very clear sea and a relaxed Mediterranean mood, with sunshine, pine trees, olive groves and the sound of crickets.
You spend the night in Milna on Brač. Swim, take an evening stroll, or add an optional boat trip and short hike to the Blaca Hermitage, a 16th-century monastery carved into the rock.
Day 6 · Brač Island
The day starts with a drive to Vidova Gora, at 778 m the highest peak of the Croatian islands, with amazing views over the surrounding islands and the coast. From there you explore Brač on two wheels. The first stop is the olive oil museum in the village of Škrip, where you hear about the island's olive oil tradition and enjoy a delicious lunch. You then ride on toward the seaside town of Supetar, with an optional extension through Postira and Pučišća to the unique stonemasonry school.
You ride on your own at your own pace with the GPS track on your phone. In Supetar a vehicle takes you back to Milna for another evening on the island.
Day 7 · Hvar Island
Your next island is Hvar, just a short boat ride from Milna, and considered the sunniest of the Croatian islands, with around 2,800 hours of sun a year. You take the foot ferry from Milna to Hvar Town and spend time in its old town. The bikes follow with your guide in the support van, which crosses by car ferry via Split, and you then ride out toward the Stari Grad Plain, a landscape protected by UNESCO. Grapes and olives have been grown here since Greek times, among ancient stone walls that show the geometric system of land division the ancient Greeks used, still almost intact after 24 centuries. Ancient Hvar Town has a rich history, with the cathedral of St Stephen and the Fortica fortress above it and a view over the old town and the islands. To celebrate the adventure, the group has a final dinner together and shares the week's stories.
Day 8 · Hvar and Split
This morning you transfer from Hvar Town to Stari Grad and take the ferry back to Split, and from there the transfer to Split airport is included. If you would like to keep island hopping on your own or with us, contact us for advice and arrangements.
Note on itinerary: Routes can be adapted to your wishes: easier or more difficult, shorter or longer, within what the terrain allows. The program can also change because of weather, the group’s preferences and abilities or other exceptional situations. Safety and comfort come first.
Route
| Day | Where | Activity | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, transfer to Plitvice Lakes | – | about 2 h |
| 2 | Plitvice Lakes National Park | Cycling, 3/5 | – |
| 3 | Northern Velebit National Park and Gacka valley, Skradin | Cycling, 3/5 | about 2 h 20 min + 2 h |
| 4 | Krka National Park | Cycling, 3/5 | – |
| 5 | Split, ferry to Supetar, Milna | – | 1 h 15 min + ferry + 20 min |
| 6 | Vidova Gora, olive oil museum, Supetar | Cycling, 3/5 | about 35 min + 20 min |
| 7 | Ferry to Hvar, Stari Grad Plain, Hvar Town | Cycling, 3/5 | ferry |
| 8 | Transfer to Stari Grad, ferry to Split, airport transfer | – | about 30 min + ferry |
Inclusions
Prices and dates
Every price has 2 options: the standard price when you pay by card and a discounted price when you pay by bank transfer or Wise.
| Group size | April, May, October | June to September |
|---|---|---|
| 1 guest | €8,063card€7,790bank / Wise | €8,684card€8,390bank / Wise |
| 2 guests | €4,337card€4,190bank / Wise | €4,544card€4,390bank / Wise |
| 3 guests | €3,095card€2,990bank / Wise | €3,302card€3,190bank / Wise |
| 4 guests | €2,681card€2,590bank / Wise | €2,888card€2,790bank / Wise |
| 5 guests | €2,267card€2,190bank / Wise | €2,474card€2,390bank / Wise |
| 6 guests | €2,060card€1,990bank / Wise | €2,267card€2,190bank / Wise |
| 7 guests | €1,853card€1,790bank / Wise | €2,060card€1,990bank / Wise |
| 8 guests | €1,749card€1,690bank / Wise | €1,956card€1,890bank / Wise |
| Single room supplement | €290card€280bank / Wise | €362card€350bank / Wise |
| Bike rental, regular bike (per person, not included) | €207card€200bank / Wise | €207card€200bank / Wise |
| Bike rental, e-bike (per person, not included) | €362card€350bank / Wise | €362card€350bank / Wise |
Every Saturday, April to October.
Other dates on request. We do not recommend the trip during extreme heat in July and part of August.
See the free dates, pick one and book. Bikes are not included (regular bike €207 by card or €200 by bank transfer or Wise, e-bike €362 by card or €350 by bank transfer or Wise per person for the week): tell us your choice in the message. Prefer to talk first? Use the message form below.
If you cancel, we charge a share of the tour price, depending on when we receive your cancellation:
| When you cancel | We charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 days before the tour | 30% of the price |
| 29 to 15 days before | 50% of the price |
| 14 to 8 days before | 75% of the price |
| 7 to 0 days before, or no-show | 100% of the price |
Credit card or bank fees are deducted from any refund: the fee charged when you pay and the fee charged when we refund.
Good to know
Private en-suite rooms in 3-star hotels and guesthouses. Families and groups of friends can ask for a whole private house or apartment, and 4-star accommodation is available on request.
Seven breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners are included. Your guide recommends restaurants and shops for the rest, and vegetarian and vegan meals are available with advance notice.
Bikes are not included in the price. A regular bike costs €207 by card or €200 by bank transfer or Wise and an e-bike €362 by card or €350 by bank transfer or Wise per person for the week. The support vehicle carries spare bikes and your luggage.
Your support driver is a knowledgeable guide who follows in the van, meets you along the way and gives advice and local recommendations, while you ride on your own at your own pace.
Photos
FAQs
The tour starts in Zagreb and ends in Split. Your guide, who is also your support driver, meets you at Zagreb airport on day 1, and the transfer to Split airport on day 8 is included.
You ride on your own at your own pace with GPS tracks on your phone, and a knowledgeable guide acts as your support driver: the guide follows in the van with your luggage, meets you along the way and is there to help, advise and recommend places. The route is the same on both versions.
You can expect to ride 40 to 60 km (25 to 37 miles) a day, with the support van always nearby for safety and comfort. Every riding day is rated 3/5, and each ride can be made easier or harder, shorter or longer.
Yes. Routes are customizable and can be adapted to your wishes. We cannot change the landscape, but within what the terrain allows we can make a ride easier or more difficult, shorter or longer. We work together with you to find the best routes for your group, in advance or with your guide on the spot, who knows the terrain.
No. Bikes are an extra: a regular bike costs €207 by card or €200 by bank transfer or Wise and an e-bike €362 by card or €350 by bank transfer or Wise per person for the week. Tell us your choice when you book.
The price includes 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners. Your guide recommends restaurants and shops for the other meals, and vegetarian or vegan meals are available with advance notice.
In private en-suite rooms in 3-star hotels and guesthouses: two nights near Plitvice Lakes, two in Skradin, two in Milna on Brač and one on Hvar. 4-star accommodation is available on request.
Every trip is private for your own group. We price each group size from 1 to 8 guests, and the price per person drops as the group grows. For bigger groups, contact us for a quote. If you would like us to join other travelers to your tour so the price per person can drop, let us know. We can open your dates for bookings and see if other travelers apply.
Children from 12 years old can join with a parent or legal guardian. Ask us for details.
Yes. You pay the single room supplement for your own room. On some dates you may be able to share a room with another solo traveler, so ask us.
Departures run every Saturday from April to October, and other dates are possible on request. We do not recommend the trip during extreme heat in July and part of August, but we can organize it on request.
Yes. The program can change because of weather, group preferences and abilities or other exceptional situations. Safety and comfort always come first.
Get in touch
Ask us anything about this trip, or tell us your preferred dates and group size.
Each trip is rated from 1 to 5. On a cycling trip the rating reflects the distance, the hours in the saddle and the climbing in a day.
Self-Guided Cycling Tour Croatia: National Parks & Islands
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Self-Guided Cycling Tour Croatia: National Parks & Islands
8 days / 7 nights · self-guided cycling tour
Sample route · Day 7
Sample route. Distances and profiles can be adapted to your wishes, and you can always jump into the support vehicle if you don’t feel like biking anymore.
Elevation profile
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