Gravel
Trans Dinarica Croatia: Adriatic & Dinaric Alps
Description
As written in the description of our first TD tour, Trans Dinarica Slovenia and Croatia Gravel Cycling Tour, you will definitely want to continue at the finish in the seaside town of Senj. Well, now you can! On this nine-day cycling tour, two of which are for transfers, you will discover Croatia as you have never seen it before. You will cycle over the most beautiful part of Velebit mountain ridge, including the Northern Velebit National Park, with unique views from the mountains to the Adriatic islands. You will be riding your bike through Lika, an inland Croatian region, completely different from the Dalmatian coast. You will push pedals along the raw and beautiful ‘Majstorska cesta’ (Master’s Road), the most beautiful scenic gravel road built at the beginning of the 19th century, to the canyon of the Zrmanja River and its heavenly waterfalls. You will also ride along Napoleon’s gravel road under Mount Dinara, which gave the route its name, and to the historic towns of Knin (with the Knin Fortress) and Sinj (famous for its historic horse races). The Trans Dinarica Croatia: Adriatic & Dinaric Alps tour ends in Split, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the Adriatic coast.
Trans Dinarica Cycle Route was named as Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel” for 2024.
Highlights:
- Solitude and views from the Mt. Velebit.
- ‘Master’s road (Majstorska cesta) and Napoleon Trail, two epic gravel roads.
- Historic cities of Knin, Sinj, and Split.
- Zrmanja Canyon and waterfalls.
- Different gastronomy; more ‘rural’ in Lika region, and Mediterranean seafood on the coast.
Note: the Trans Dinarica Croatia: Adriatic & Dinaric Alps tour is available in three versions: Guided (with our guide on a bike), Self-guided Supported (with a support van) or Self-guided Adventurous (only for the bravest riders). Before booking, please read more in ‘prices’ below. This gravel bike tour is only for physically fit and experienced cyclists (pay attention to distance, elevation profile and road surface) and for whom the fact that you might not meet a living soul all day (not to mention there are no bike services, shops or even cafes on some stages) is not scary but inspiring. Having a basic understanding of bikes is essential, this includes being comfortable with bike maintenance and making self-adjustments/repairs if needed.
Gallery
Itinerary
Afternoon transfer from Ljubljana to Senj
Your cycling adventure begins with a roughly 3-hour drive from Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, to the small town of Senj on the Croatian coast. Those who wish can jump into the Adriatic Sea or walk to the Nehaj Fortress, while this is also a good time to prepare yourself, your luggage and your bike for the first cycling day, which follows tomorrow right after breakfast.
Senj – Krasno: From the coast to heavenly island views
Distance:
30 km / 19 mi 
Elevation:
1.190 m / 3.900 ft Have you rested well? Have you eaten enough? We hope so, because the first cycling stage will show what you are made of. From Senj you will climb to the Mt. Velebit and while you will be gasping for breath on the gravel slopes, you will also be breathless with the world-unique views of the islands that bathe in the northern Adriatic Sea. In approximately 25 kilometers you will climb almost 1,200 meters in altitude! Only the last five kilometers will await you with a descent to the village of Krasno on the northern side of the mountain, surrounded by forests and with a completely different climate and food; they are known for their excellent cheeses, potatoes and strong meaty dishes. If you would like to learn more about the nature, purpose, and history of the Northern Velebit National Park, you are invited to the Velebit House (Kuća Velebita) education center.
Easier option: If you would still prefer to avoid pushing the pedals on a gravel surface, there is an easier option via the coastal town of Sveti Juraj. The total elevation gain will not be any less, but the surface is entirely asphalt. Yet we have to point out that it partly leads along the busier (otherwise very beautiful) Adriatic Highway.
75 % paved
25 % unpaved
Krasno – Baške Oštarije: Wilderness, endless forests and limestone-carved tunnels
Distance:
68 km / 42 mi Elevation:
1.460 m / 4.790 ft Yesterday you rode into a new, different world of Velebit – today you will spend the whole day here. This means that you may only meet a forester, hunter or fellow traveler on a bike, while wild animals – bears, wolves and lynxes live here – will probably hear you before you see them. In the second half of the stage you will see why we classify this tour as a GRAVEL cycling tour; you will find an approximately 23-kilometer gravel section, which also leads through beautiful tunnels carved into the rock.
Harder options: if a more demanding gravel road does not bother you, we have two treats for you. A detour via the Mt. Veliki Zavižan at 1.540 metres above the sea (if you thought yesterday’s views were the most beautiful in the world, then wait until you see this!) and, near the finish, a single track ride, which is actually a shortcut to the finish in Baške Oštarije, a base for hikers, cyclists and other nature lovers. Don’t expect anything luxurious, unless luxury means clean mountain air and a peaceful evening. Yes, in that respect, a very luxurious place awaits you at the end of this stage.
65 % paved
35 % unpaved
Baške Oštarije – Sveti Rok: Easier ride to the flatter Lika region
Distance:
67 km / 42 mi Elevation:
370 m / 1.210 ft After two days of demanding pedaling, it’s time to relax a bit. From Baške Oštarije, you will descend northeast along a winding asphalt road from Velebit to Gospić, the largest town and center of the Lika region, where the locals are mostly engaged in forestry, agriculture, and livestock farming. It is bordered by two mountain ranges, and in between it is mostly flat, which will also be felt on the pedals: you will enjoy easy cycling through small villages, some of them almost empty, with an altitude of between 550 and 600 meters most of the day. The destination is the small settlement of Sveti Rok, where you can enjoy a refreshing homemade hearty meal, as tomorrow a new epic road pass awaits you.
Easy option: if you want to shorten the stage, you can avoid cycling along the rural edge of Lika by choosing the direct regional road Gospić – Sveti Rok. This will make the stage about 14 kilometers shorter, but the road will be slightly busier (since the highway crossed the region, traffic has decreased here significantly, but it is still worth mentioning).
95 % paved
5 % unpaved
Sveti Rok – Zrmanja: Master gravel road, master views
Distance:
45 km / 28 mi Elevation:
680 m / 2.230 ft Ready for the most beautiful gravel road in Croatia? First, from Sveti Rok, a not too steep climb through the woods awaits you. This important road was built in the 18th century to transport masts from the forested Lika region to the seaside towns, and more broadly, it connected Vienna with Zadar and Split. It got its name ‘Majstorska cesta’, the Master’s Road, because of the complexity of its construction through the harsh karst world of Velebit. At the top, on the Mali Alan pass, a view opens up to the south, towards Dalmatia, and to the striking ‘Tulove grede’, natural stone towers that rise above the road. The area is also famous for the filming of the Winnetou films, which you can see from the signs on the ‘burobran’, a stone wall that protects the road from strong ‘bura’ winds (which, we hope, you will not experience in person). You will end your epic day at the epic Zrmanja waterfalls, under which you can (for now) also swim.
Easier option: if epic gravel roads aren’t your thing, we also offer an asphalt option along the regional road through Gračac, which is some 3 kilometers shorter and has more than 300 meters less elevation gain.
55 % paved
45 % unpaved
Zrmanja – Knin: Empty roads, quiet villages and the second largest fortress in Croatia
Distance:
52 km / 32 mi Elevation:
710 m / 2.330 ft Today you will have a relatively easy, entirely asphalted stage. The only potentially more demanding (gravel) section is directly from Zrmanja to the village of Bogatnik, which you can avoid. The first part of the stage from the river is, in both cases, also the steepest. The rest of the day you will get to know a few remote villages, cross the Zrmanja River twice, and maybe stop at a donkey farm. Only for the last less than 10 kilometers the traffic will get busier, as you will descend to the town of Knin below the mighty Knin Fortress on the main road. The area of the second largest fortress in Croatia has recently been renovated, so if you don’t cycle up there in the afternoon, we recommend an evening walk to the top to see the old walls and magnificent views of the Dinaric Mountains to the east.
90 % paved
10 % unpaved
Knin – Sinj: Napoleon knew where to lead the road...
Distance:
68 km / 45 mi Elevation:
820 m / 2.690 ft Three kilometers from Knin, stop at the Krčić waterfall, the source of the Krka River. If you are there in the spring, after a snowy winter, you will see a mighty 22-meter waterfall, which dries up in the summer. After, a pleasant 15-kilometer gravel cycling along the gently ascending Napoleon Trail awaits you. North from the road, you can see Mt. Dinara, the highest mountain in Croatia which gave its name to the Trans Dinarica cycle route. Another natural water wonder on this stage is the source of the Cetina River. There are two options to access it: the easier one (asphalt, but longer) and the macadam one (shorter, potentially muddy). The source looks like an open eye from the air, and the ‘eyeball’ is at least 130 meters deep. You will then cycle along the northern shore of Peruća Lake, an artificial lake on the Cetina River, and end the day in Sinj, a town known for the ‘Sinjska alka’, a traditional equestrian competition which commemorates a victory in the Ottoman–Venetian war back in 1715.
75 % paved
25 % unpaved
Sinj – Split: Back to the sea!
Distance:
45 km / 28 mi Elevation:
560 m / 1.840 ft Since you are so close to Split, it would be a shame to miss out on seeing this gorgeous and historically important city, with its old town under UNESCO protection. The stage from Sinj is entirely asphalt and avoids busy roads as much as possible, which means some wandering around the city streets from the panoramic Klis fortress to the centre of Split. But regardless of the time of arrival, take the time to walk to Diocletian’s Palace, built between 295 and 305 AD, for a delicious seafood dinner and a glass of excellent Dalmatian wine Pošip. After all, you more than earned it by pedaling.
100 % paved
Departure from Split
Get up before breakfast, walk to the sea and jump in (if you haven’t already). After breakfast at the hotel, the tour is over. To avoid the long, mostly highway drive back to Ljubljana, we recommend that you find a return flight from the Split airport or, even better, extend your vacation in Split or on one of the beautiful surrounding islands. If this does not suit you, you can return to Ljubljana with our driver.
Pre-scheduled dates
- September 19-27, 2026 GUIDED
- July, 2-10, 2026 SELF-GUIDED SUPPORTED FULL
- Sept 24 - Oct 2, 2026 SELF-GUIDED SUPPORTED
*In season, tour can be organised on any date. Please contact us for individual offer.
Prices
GUIDEDfrom 2.930 €What’s included?
We highly recommend our guided gravel bike tours to everyone who seeks complete relaxation with a singular focus on enjoying cycling in this wild and remote part of Croatia. Our expert guides will handle everything else – from seamless navigation through the country’s scenic routes to providing interesting local insights and comprehensive technical support.
These bike tours are not just about exploring new terrains; they’re perfect for connecting with other enthusiastic cyclists from around the globe and forging lifelong friendships. Experience the best of Croatia cycling tours with us, where every pedal stroke brings a new adventure.
But it’s worth mentioning that this cycling tour is designed for experienced cyclists who are comfortable with consecutive days of riding and can maintain the indicated average daily length and elevation. E-bike can be helpful for the climbs, but require more bike handling skills due to their increased weight on demanding terrain. Participants must be able to cycle independently from each day’s starting point to the endpoint. When reading the itinerary, pay attention to length, elevation gain, and surface (road-gravel ratio).
The price for a guided Trans Dinarica Croatia Gravel Cycling Tour includes:
- 8 nights’ accommodation mostly at 3 to 4-star quality hotels (3/8 overnights at hostel/ app/ private rooms, shared bathrooms*)
- 8 breakfasts and 8 dinners; meals include typical local food.
- Fully qualified and experienced guide for the entire trip.
- Support van for luggage transport and on-route assistance, if required.
- Extensive Tour Booklet.
- Welcome snacks provided at the start of the tour.
- Water bottle, welcome gift.
- Arrival transfer from Ljubljana to Senj (1 transfer per group, DAY 1 afternoon).
- Departure transfer from Split to Ljubljana (1 transfer per group, DAY 9 after breakfast).
- Bike delivery & pick up with arrival/ departure transfer.
- A 3-month training plan, including home exercises, cycling workouts, and expert nutrition advice.
*Due to the limited availability of accommodation in the Velebit area, three overnight stays are planned in private rooms, hostels, apartments, or bungalows. All accommodations are carefully selected, offer a good standard of comfort, and include shared bathroom facilities.
Rates are valid per person, based on double occupancy on pre-scheduled departures. For individual departures feel free to contact us about the offer.
Optional:
- Single room supplement: from 400 €, on request.
- Bike, e-bike and other accessories rental.
Excluded:
- Travel and activity insurance.
- Personal safety and cycling equipment.
- Lunches.
- Any beverages consumed with dinners that are included in the package.
- Any other items not mentioned as included.
SELF-GUIDED SUPPORTEDfrom 1.870 €What’s included?
If you’re contemplating a ‘Self-guided Supported’ bike tour in this part of Croatia, it’s important to consider a few key aspects to ensure this type of adventure suits you. This version of cycling tour is perfect for those who have experience in navigating gravel bike tours and are adept at using GPS devices for route finding. As the route of this gravel bike tour goes through areas where there are no bike repair shops, basic understanding of bike mechanics is crucial, especially skills like fixing flat tires or making minor adjustments. Our van driver will take care of transporting luggage from hotel to hotel, but will not necessarily always be on the same road and close to cyclists. He will come to help in emergencies.
About e-bikes: they can be helpful for the climbs, but require more bike handling skills due to their increased weight on demanding terrain. They can also be more complex in the event of technical problems. In case of a technical failure, expect to get a classic replacement bike without a battery and electric motor.
If you feel that this level of self-sufficiency might be a challenge, perhaps a guided cycling tour would be a more enjoyable and stress-free option for you.
Self-guided Supported tours are organized on pre-scheduled dates, the price depends on the number of people booking.
| # | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Price | 3.400€ | 2.380 € | 2.050 € | 1.870 € |
The price for a self-guided supported Trans Dinarica 02 Gravel Cycling Tour includes:
- 8 nights accommodation mostly at 3 to 4-star quality hotels (3/8 overnights at hostel/ app/ private rooms, shared bathrooms*).
- 8 breakfasts.
- Support van for luggage transport and on-route assistance, if required.
- Navigation pack: Ride with GPS Tour Experience Package, including detailed Guide and complete off-line navigation data (tracks, maps, POI), and online briefing.
- Welcome snacks provided at the start of the tour.
- Water bottle, welcome gift.
- Arrival transfer from Ljubljana to Senj (1 transfer per group, DAY 1 afternoon).
- Departure transfer from Split to Ljubljana (1 transfer per group, DAY 9 after breakfast).
- Bike delivery & pick up with arrival/departure transfer.
- A 3-month training plan, including home exercises, cycling workouts, and expert nutrition advice.
*Due to the limited availability of accommodation in the Velebit area, three overnight stays are planned in private rooms, hostels, apartments, or bungalows. All accommodations are carefully selected, offer a good standard of comfort, and include shared bathroom facilities.
Rates are valid per person, based on double occupancy on pre-scheduled departures. For individual departures feel free to contact us about the offer.
Optional:
- Single room supplement: from 400 €, on request.
- Bike, e-bike and other accessories rental.
Excluded:
- Travel and activity insurance.
- Personal safety and cycling equipment.
- Lunches, Dinners.
- Any other items not mentioned as included.
SELF-GUIDED ADVENTUREOUSfrom 1.600 €What’s included?
The Self-guided Adventoureous type of tour is only intended for completely independent and experienced cyclists, as they will depend on their own navigation and ability to repair a flat tire or fix other possible technical defects. For most of the tour, you will be far from the nearest bicycle mechanic. We will only take care of the navigation package, all accommodations and, if necessary, rental bikes, while there will be no assistance on the way. Luggage transport will also not be provided, so it is important that you know how to pack your personal luggage light as you’ll need to carry all of your personal belongings on your own. Due to the remoteness of certain stages, cafés, shops, or restaurants may not always be available. As a result, breakfast or dinner may not be accessible at some locations, and participants may occasionally need to carry their own food. All such cases will be clearly communicated in advance by the tour organiser. Please note that due to limited infrastructure, the lack of bike services, and the overall remoteness of certain sections of the route, helpline support is not included and cannot be guaranteed. This does not affect the availability of local emergency services and first responders in case of an emergency. We only recommend this tour to those who already have experience with similar cycling adventures. Participants who are not fully confident riding independently, are strongly advised to join a guided or self-guided supported tour option instead.
| # | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Price | 2.300 € | 1.830 € | 1.680 € | 1.600 € |
The price for a self-guided adventureous Trans Dinarica 02 Gravel Cycling Tour includes:
- 8 nights accommodation mostly at 3 to 4-star quality hotels (3/8 overnights at hostel/ app/ private rooms, shared bathrooms*).
- 5 breakfasts.
- Navigation pack: Ride with GPS Tour Experience Package, including detailed Guide and complete off-line navigation data (tracks, maps, POI), and online briefing.
- Water bottle, welcome gift.
- Arrival transfer from Ljubljana to Senj (1 transfer per group, DAY 1 afternoon).
- Departure transfer from Split to Ljubljana (1 transfer per group, DAY 9 after breakfast).
- Bike delivery & pick up with arrival/ departure transfer.
- A 3-month training plan, including home exercises, cycling workouts, and expert nutrition advice.
*Due to the limited availability of accommodation in the Velebit area, three overnight stays are planned in private rooms, hostels, apartments, or bungalows. All accommodations are carefully selected, offer a good standard of comfort, and include shared bathroom facilities.
Rates are valid per person, based on double occupancy on pre-scheduled departures. For individual departures feel free to contact us about the offer.
Optional:
- Single room supplement: from 400 €, on request.
- Bike, e-bike and other accessories rental.
Excluded:
- Travel and activity insurance.
- Personal safety and cycling equipment.
- Luggage transfers.
- Lunches, Dinners.
- Hotline support.
- Any other items not mentioned as included.
Logistics
The Trans Dinarica Croatia Gravel Cycling Tour starts with a transfer from Ljubljana to Senj on DAY 1 and ends after breakfast in Split. From there, you can take a direct flight from Split or, in case of guided or self-guided supported tour, join our driver van back to Ljubljana (approx. 6 hours).
GETTING THERE
Ljubljana has its own international airport which is 20 min drive away from the center of the city. Ljubljana is also surrounded by 6 international airports, those of Venice, Trieste, Klagenfurt, Treviso, Graz, and Zagreb, each of them within a 2-3-hour driving distance.
ACCOMMODATION
Our tours are mostly operated through small towns and villages. We always make an effort to select the most authentic and visitor-friendly accommodation and dining arrangements available. This way the tour groups can enjoy local hospitality and great food on the entire route.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- One guided group can include a maximum of 7 people. On a self-guided supported tour, the group can include a maximum of 8 people.
- On guided tours, a briefing session is organized every evening. During the briefing, the guide(s) reveal details about the next day’s cycling stage, including the altitude, length, difficulty, etc.
- On most cycling stages alternative trail variations can be chosen according to the specific requirements of the group.
- The meeting instructions and final trip arrangements are sent to participants two weeks before the tour start date.
FAQ
You can find answers to frequently asked questions here: FAQ.
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