This bike tour will take you through the beautiful landscapes of biggest mountain Velebit, the Grobnik Alps Lička Plješevica and the islands of Krk Cres and Lošinj. Steep climbs and steep singles with unforgettable views from which we will be able to see the locations we will drive the next day. This tour is best for spring and autumn months which brings us nice wheater and temperature for riding and fresh night for better sleeping, the sea is warm and we are conquering the many Peaks.

SCHEDULE BY DAY:

1st Day – ISLAND KRK – The beatufill side of the moon

Start point: Krk
Length: 70km
Elevation: 1500m
Surface: road, gravel, trail
Fitness level: 2-4 (recreational – advanced)

The Rocky Desert is a cycling tour where you’ll encounter vast amounts of stones, resembling a large desert where the hurricane winds from the north prevent trees from growing. We start from the town of Krk, passing through Punat to the village of Stara Baška, where the steepest ascent of this tour begins through a beautiful canyon. In the summer months, if you find yourself here, you’ll feel as if you’re in an oven.

Upon reaching the top, you’ll see a stunning rocky desert, and the trail will lead us downhill to Baška. From there, we’ll ascend again to the lunar plateau, which will take us back to Krk.

2nd Day – ISLAND CRES & LOŠINJ: 2 Islands in 1 day

Start point: Island Cres – Osor
Length: 60-80km
Elevation: 800-1500m
Surface: Gravel, trail, road
Fitness level: 2-3 (recreational)

We start this unique cycling tour from the small town of Osor, which gained its fame in ancient times. Osor is the place where the islands of Cres and Lošinj are connected by a bridge that rises twice daily (at 9 AM and 5 PM) to allow boats to pass. The foundations of the city walls reveal an ancient history with traces dating back to the 9th century BC, and the town’s name, Osor – Apsoros, is believed to derive from the name of the ancient hero Apsirtus, brother of the unfortunate Medea, adding a mythical charm to this ancient town. The entire town of Osor is essentially an open-air museum, where many artists have left
their mark.

In the first part of this cycling tour, we ride across the island of Cres, combining various terrains as we visit abandoned villages and hamlets. After 60 km, we cross over to the island of Lošinj, where we will encounter an accumulated ascent of 550 m. Upon reaching
the highest peak, Osorčica, we are rewarded with an unforgettable view of the surrounding islands, and if the weather permits, we might even see as far as Italy.

3rd Day – GROBNIK ALPS – BIKE TOUR

Start point: Grobnik
Length: 42km
Elevation: 1100m
Surface: Gravel, trail, asfalt
Fitness level: 3-4 (recreational – advanced)

The next cycling tour takes you to the well-known mountain range called the Grobnik Alps, which rise like a wall above Grobnik Field. The entire area is filled with wide meadows, rocky peaks, tiny lakes, and a magical canyon. We start from Grobnik Field and ascend the road to the Platak ski center.

Here, we can refresh ourselves after the long climb, and then we enter deep forests that lead us to a meadow offering an unforgettable view of the entire Kvarner Bay. After that, we begin the descent along technical singletracks back to the cars. This cycling tour is more suitable for technically skilled cyclists.

4th Day – EYES OF VINODOL

Start Point: Križišće
Length: 68km
Elevation: 1500m
Surface: Gravel, trails, asfalt
Fitness level: 2-3 (amateur – advanced)

The “Eyes of Vinodol” cycling tour takes us through the stunning hinterland of Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski, an area where natural beauty meets rich cultural heritage. The route connects six karst lakes – known as the “Eyes of Vinodol” – each with its own character and charm. Riding along winding roads, gravel paths, and forest trails, we will discover hidden corners of Vinodol that few visitors get to see. The lakes, surrounded by green forests, rocky cliffs, or open meadows, mirror the sky and create a truly magical scenery. Some of them are wrapped in local legends, while others captivate with their peaceful and untouched beauty. On our journey we will pass by old chapels, panoramic viewpoints, and traditional villages where time seems to move more slowly. Between climbs and descents, every stop offers a chance to enjoy the silence of nature, take photos, and experience the authentic spirit of Vinodol.

This cycling adventure is more than just a ride – it is a discovery of the hidden heart of Vinodol, an unforgettable journey for all who love nature, history, and the thrill of exploring new landscapes on two wheels.

5th Day – MOUNTAIN VELEBIT – UPHILL TO PEAK ZAVIŽAN

Start Point: Senj
Length: 75km
Elevation: 1800m
Surface: Gravel, trail, asphalt
Fitness level: 2-3 (amateur – recreational)

With this cycling adventure, we start from the town of Senj, specifically from Nehaj Fortress, the symbol of Senj that served as an observation point. From the very start, we begin a continuous ascent, combining dirt surfaces with some asphalt, offering us beautiful views of the nearby islands of Krk, Rab, Prvić, and Pag.

Upon reaching the summit of Zavižan, where a mountain lodge is located, we can refresh ourselves with cold Velebit beer. Zavižan is one of the most well-known locations in the Northern Velebit National Park. At an altitude of 1,594 meters, it hosts the oldest high-altitude meteorological station in Croatia, established in 1953.

As Velebit serves as a natural border between continental and Mediterranean Croatia, its upper part experiences a clash of two different climates—maritime and continental—leading to unpredictable weather conditions, making this Zavižan station of immense importance to the meteorological community. After our refreshment, we descend through interesting trails, and the final part of the route takes us back to Senj along the asphalt.

6th Day – LIKA – UPHILL TO PEAK PLJEŠEVICA

Start point: Korenica
Length: 46km
Elevation: 1200m
Surface: Gravel, trail, road
Fitness level: 2-3 (recreative – advanced)

Plješevica is a mountain that serves as a natural border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its peak, Gola Plješevica, reaching an altitude of 1,648 meters. At the foot of Plješevica, on the Bosnian side near Bihać, lies the Željava Airport, once a military airport of the former JNA, now abandoned and out of use.

After the ride, you can visit the deserted airport and explore the tunnels specifically made for the entry of MIG-21 jets. At the very top of Plješevica, there is a telecommunications transmitter and a television transmitter used by Croatia, as well as a radar that was part of the military complex of Željava Airport. During the Homeland War, Canadian soldiers under UNFOR protected the radar station.

After exploring the summit, we begin the descent, combining unpaved roads and hiking trails until we reach the foot of the mountain. Then, it’s a leisurely ride to conclude this cycling tour.