70 km, 1000 m elevation gain















Croatia Cycling Challenge
10 days / 9 nights
|
Starting point
Rijeka
Finish point
Dubrovnik
Fitness level
5/5
Season
From April to October
Starting point
Rijeka
Finish point
Dubrovnik
Fitness level
5/5
Season
From April to October
Highlights
- Cycle along the captivating Adriatic coastline, surrounded by turquoise waters and majestic vistas
- Discover Croatia's rich heritage by visiting ancient cities like Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Split
- Ride beneath the towering Velebit mountain range
- Immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of Croatia, from rugged coastlines and lush forests to quaint villages and bustling cities
- Challenge yourself with daily rides of 70-100 km and elevation gains of around 1000 meters
Itinerary of the trip
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What’s included in the price?
Self-guided
NOT INCLUDED
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Our exhilarating road cycling tour through Croatia offers the perfect mix of picturesque coastal landscapes, quaint historic towns, and unforgettable memories. Pedal through this Mediterranean paradise and experience the magic that awaits you around every bend.
Croatia, the Mediterranean's hidden gem, boasts an enchanting combination of diverse terrains and rich cultural experiences, making it the perfect backdrop for this thrilling cycling tour. You'll strike through coastal towns like Rijeka, Senj, and Karlobag while immersing yourself in the history of ancient cities like Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Split.
Along the way, you'll find just the right amount of free time to discover UNESCO World Heritage sites such as St. James Cathedral in Šibenik and Diocletian's Palace in Split. And as you pedal through the Paklenica National Park and Biokovo Nature Park, you'll be left breathless by Croatia's unspoiled natural beauty.
Our tour is designed for seasoned cyclists with high fitness levels looking for a worthy challenge, covering daily distances of 70 to 100 kilometers with approximately 1000 meters of elevation gain. You'll mostly ride on asphalt roads, with some busy sections, as you navigate Croatia's stunning coastline, soaking in the awe-inspiring views of the Adriatic Sea and its alluring islands.
While the stages are designed for a road bike, your performance will not suffer if you prefer a gravel bike. They are actually even more versatile and allow more alternatives for the most trafficked sections.
We understand that freedom and flexibility are essential to any adventure. That's why our self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace while we handle the nitty-gritty details. We'll provide GPS tracks, a comprehensive booklet guide, luggage transfer, and accommodation bookings for a hassle-free experience.
If you opt to return to Rijeka by ship, we can arrange the booking and a bike rental (a road or gravel bike). In case you decide to continue your adventure independently, you'll need to bring your own bike.
Are you ready to clip in, put the pedal to the metal, and discover the captivating wonders of Croatia? Don't just dream about it; live it!
Secure your spot on this unforgettable cycling journey and let the magic of Croatia captivate your heart and soul. See you on the road, adventurer!
Top Places You’ll See
From natural wonders to authentic local culture, the route is packed with memorable sights—these are our absolute favorites.

Trsat Castle
Overlooking the city of Rijeka, Trsat Castle sits atop a 138-meter hill that has been fortified since Roman times. The current castle dates to the 13th century, when the Frankopan family rebuilt it as a defensive stronghold. Today, it offers panoramic views of the Kvarner Bay and the islands of Krk and Cres. Within its walls are a courtyard, galleries, and a café, making it one of Rijeka’s most visited historical sites.

Castle Kraljevica
Built in the early 17th century, Frankopan Castle in Nova Kraljevica is one of the last grand residences of the noble Frankopan family, one of Croatia’s most influential medieval dynasties. The four-winged Renaissance fortress stands at the mouth of the Bay of Bakar, once guarding trade routes between the Adriatic and inland Croatia. It now serves as a cultural venue and museum celebrating the Frankopan legacy.

Nehaj Fortress
Dominating the skyline of Senj, Nehaj Fortress was completed in 1558 as part of the region’s defenses against Ottoman and Venetian incursions. Built by the Uskoks — famed local warriors — it became a symbol of resistance and freedom. The square stone fortress stands 18 meters tall and today houses a museum dedicated to the Uskoks’ turbulent history.

Jadranska Magistrala
The Adriatic Highway (E65) is one of Europe’s most scenic coastal roads, running more than 650 kilometers along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. It links Rijeka to Dubrovnik, hugging cliffs above turquoise waters and offering uninterrupted sea views. Completed in the 1960s, it remains an engineering marvel and a beloved route for travelers seeking dramatic Adriatic scenery.

Vransko Jezero
Located between Zadar and Šibenik, Vransko Jezero is Croatia’s largest natural lake and a designated nature park. The lake is separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land and provides a vital wetland habitat for over 250 bird species. Viewing platforms and wooden boardwalks allow visitors to enjoy its peaceful setting, particularly at sunrise and sunset.

St. Michael’s Fortress
Rising above the old town of Šibenik, St. Michael’s Fortress is the city’s oldest fortification, first mentioned in the 11th century. Its strategic hilltop position offered protection from invaders, and today it provides sweeping views of the Šibenik archipelago. A modern open-air stage built within the fortress now hosts concerts and cultural events, blending history with contemporary life.

Lovrijenac Fortress
Standing 37 meters above the Adriatic on a dramatic cliff west of Dubrovnik’s old walls, Lovrijenac Fortress has guarded the city since the 11th century. Known as “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar,” it was key to the city’s independence. The fortress also gained modern fame as the filming site for the Red Keep in Game of Thrones. Today, it serves as a venue for concerts and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, with views that capture the city’s grandeur.
Our Bikes
To ensure the best possible experience on your cycling adventure, we offer top-quality bikes for rent. Our fleet features the latest models, meticulously maintained for both performance and comfort.
To match each rider with the right equipment, our team will also assist you in selecting the most suitable bike based on your physical profile, personal preferences, and the technical requirements of the tour.
Each bike rental includes:
✔ Transport of the bike to and from the tour start/end point
✔ Helmet for safety
✔ Phone holder mounted on the handlebars
✔ Basic tool kit for on-the-go adjustments
Muesing Road Bike
Or similar
Type: Road Bike
Best for: Long-distance road rides, touring, and training
These aluminium road bikes are designed for comfort and endurance on paved roads. An adjustable stem and various saddle options ensure a tailored riding position, while a carbon fork reduces road vibrations for a smoother ride. Outfitted with reliable Shimano 105 components, these bikes deliver consistent performance and durability, perfect for full-day rides, sportives, or relaxed touring.

Muesing Crozzroad Lite
Or similar
Type: Gravel Bike
Best for: Touring, everyday gravel riding, and mixed-surface adventures
The Muesing Crozzroad Lite is an aluminium gravel bike, built for reliable performance and comfort on varied terrain. It features a carbon fork for improved shock absorption and a 2x11 drivetrain. The bike provides grip and efficiency on both paved and unpaved roads. A rear rack comes as standard and can be removed if not needed, making this bike equally suited for light touring or day rides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

First class company with a well planned route, great accommodation and simply outstanding support in time of trouble. We did a two week ride from Bled to Pula in September 2023. Fair to say we hit a lot of problems courtesy of BA with rescheduled and diverted flights, lost bags, problems with our own bikes, returning rental bikes and more. Daja was simply amazing in helping us sort all of them out and was so accessible at all hours. She even managed to source and buy a forgotten Thru-axle and deliver it personally to our hotel, which is far and above any service i would reasonably expect. Thank you !! Our accommodation was fantastic and far better than expected in all but one location. The route planning in Slovenia was great but due to our decision to bring road bikes from the UK and the nature of the roads in Croatia, our second week was a bit tricky route wise and it would have been good to have had a discussion about this section beforehand. A Gravel bike is far better suited to Croatia although this was our decision to bring road bikes. Transport arrangement and logistics were flawless. Overall, i would change very little and we will definitely be returning to Slovenia. Daja was fantastic and I absolutely recommend Slovenia Cycling Holidays and will be using their services again.


We had a wonderful cycling trip, starting in Trieste, then onto Slovenia and Croatia. Before the trip, Klemen was extremely patient with our many questions and addressed our concerns very satisfactorily- even changing the original bike route to meet our needs. The bikes we used ( e-bikes) were in great condition, and easy to use. The hotels were very satisfactory- and included big breakfasts to start our days. The towns we visited were charming. All in all- a first class experience!!


We had an amazing trip from Bled to Pula. Everything was thoughtfully curated from the route to dinner suggestions and accommodations. So much beauty and diversity in such a relatively short distance. They were very responsive when we had a few issues along the way with our bikes. Highly recommend!

We had a wonderful cycling trip, starting in Trieste, then onto Slovenia and Croatia. Before the trip, Klemen was extremely patient with our many questions and addressed our concerns very satisfactorily- even changing the original bike route to meet our needs. The bikes we used ( e-bikes) were in great condition, and easy to use. The hotels were very satisfactory- and included big breakfasts to start our days. The towns we visited were charming. All in all- a first class experience!!


First class company with a well planned route, great accommodation and simply outstanding support in time of trouble. We did a two week ride from Bled to Pula in September 2023. Fair to say we hit a lot of problems courtesy of BA with rescheduled and diverted flights, lost bags, problems with our own bikes, returning rental bikes and more. Daja was simply amazing in helping us sort all of them out and was so accessible at all hours. She even managed to source and buy a forgotten Thru-axle and deliver it personally to our hotel, which is far and above any service i would reasonably expect. Thank you !! Our accommodation was fantastic and far better than expected in all but one location. The route planning in Slovenia was great but due to our decision to bring road bikes from the UK and the nature of the roads in Croatia, our second week was a bit tricky route wise and it would have been good to have had a discussion about this section beforehand. A Gravel bike is far better suited to Croatia although this was our decision to bring road bikes. Transport arrangement and logistics were flawless. Overall, i would change very little and we will definitely be returning to Slovenia. Daja was fantastic and I absolutely recommend Slovenia Cycling Holidays and will be using their services again.


We had an amazing trip from Bled to Pula. Everything was thoughtfully curated from the route to dinner suggestions and accommodations. So much beauty and diversity in such a relatively short distance. They were very responsive when we had a few issues along the way with our bikes. Highly recommend!

All available guidance options
Self-guided
Those who like good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. It offers complete freedom, multiple detour opportunities, and exploration at your own pace without having to adapt to a group.
Hassle-Free
We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy carefree cycling holidays.
Handpicked Adventures
Only the best bike tours in Croatia, cherry-picked by our team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.
Trusted by Many
Since 2014, we have taken care of thousands of happy customers, making it our mission to put your satisfaction first.
Value Your Time
With everything on your plate, let us handle the vacation planning, so your valuable time stays exactly where you need it.
Unbeatable Support
Our round-the-clock customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.








































