Pedal Journeys in the Balkans

We started the day with a refreshing swim in the River Una, right in front of Panzio Vasva and Hazim . The cool, clear water was the perfect wake-up call. After our swim, we enjoyed a generous homemade breakfast, complete with a strong and flavorful Bosnian coffee. It was the ideal way to start another day of our adventure. After saying our heartfelt goodbyes to our hosts, we hopped back on our bikes and pedaled 20 km towards Martin Brod. The road was pleasant, offering great views and little traffic. We arrived in Martin Brod just before the big rain started. Midway, we stopped for a coffee in Ostrovica, a small, beautiful town. While sipping our coffee, we listened to the melodic call to prayer from the local mosque, which echoed across the town. Finally, we arrived in Martin Brod and checked in at Restoran i Prenoćište Kod Zore . After sett ling in, we went to explore the nearby cascades. Though they were smaller than the ones we saw at Štrbački Buk, they were stunning.

We started the day in our cozy treehouse, waking up to the melodic songs of birds. One little visitor even crashed into our terrace door, but luckily, it was fine and flew away after a few minutes. The view with the morning sun felt like our own private paradise, with turquoise water and mountains right in front of us. We took a quick, invigorating swim in the river, where the 8-degree water jolted us awake. After this refreshing start, we headed to breakfast at the restaurant of Japodski Otoci . We pedaled 34 km until we reached Šrbaćki Buk. The first hour was an uphill climb, followed by an exhilarating descent. The last part of the road ran alongside the magnificent River Una. The contrast between the lush greenery and the turquoise water was breathtaking. As we pedaled on the Bosnian side, we could see Croatia across the river, which appeared far less inhabited. Most of the campsites and charming farmhouse guesthouses were on the Bosnian side, adding to the area's rustic charm

We found a lovely apartment by the Una River in Bihać to spend the night. The next day, the best way to start the day was with a dip in the river, which was around 9 degrees Celsius. The icy water made us feel completely awake and ready for our next ride. After biking 34 km, we arrived at our next destination: Japodski Otoci , a hidden paradise in Una National Park. Here, you can choose unique accommodations like a treehouse (our home for the night), a dome for stargazing, or cozy tepees. The park also features a large restaurant, and the use of kayaks is included with your stay, allowing for even more adventure on the river. Our rest day flew by quickly, and we ended it with a delightful dinner at the restaurant within the natural complex, enjoying the cozy ambiance of a fire.

We spent the night in Bosanska Krupa at Hotel Eki , which faces the beautiful Una River. While it's also possible to stay in the charming floating houses by the river (Apartman UNA), we found them to be overpriced at 100 euros per night, and the place was under renovation and needed cleaning. Without data to check other options, we walked over to the neighboring Hotel Eki. There, we got a lovely room with a balcony overlooking the river for just 60 euros, including breakfast. After breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and took a leisurely promenade to the nearby park by the river. There, we jumped into the water for a refreshing swim. The cool water made me feel every cell in my body come alive, leaving me completely awake and ready for the next ride. We headed towards our next destination: Bihać, just 34 km away. Though it was a short ride, it was the most scenic route we've encountered so far. The road winds along the river, with train rails on one side and the river on

After a restful night at Hotel Vrata Bosne , where we enjoyed a spacious room and a hearty breakfast included for just 50 euros per night, we set off towards Bosanska Krupa. We originally planned to stay in Cazin, but we found the city lacked charm and had few accommodation options, all of which were overpriced. After a coffee at Cafe Hilton, we decided to head towards Bosanska Krupa, where we found some nice accommodation options by the Una River. A not-so-fun fact about Bosnia is that smoking indoors is allowed, and it seems almost everyone takes advantage of this. Yesterday, 6 out of 7 tables at the hotel's restaurant were occupied by smokers, and today at the café, the situation was similar. Not being used to dining in such a smoky environment can be quite annoying, so we sat as close to an open window as possible. The ride to Bosanska Krupa was 76 km with an 800+ meter gradient. The roads were small and mostly free of cars, allowing us to fully enjoy the lush green landscap

We spent the night at Apartment Thea in Gomirje, Gorski Kotar . The apartment was incredibly comfortable, and the host was exceptionally welcoming. She prepared a generous deli breakfast for us for just 15 euros. The apartment itself was spacious and cozy, perfectly situated right by the road, making it easy to continue our trip the next day. Throughout the day, we covered 93 km with a total ascent of 1,830m. The route took us along narrow, mostly car-free paths, offering breathtaking landscapes, including turquoise rivers like the Mreznica and stunning waterfalls. We stopped for lunch in Slunj at Restoran Petro, nestled by charming natural cascades. Here, we took a refreshing dip in the cool waters. After leaving the restaurant, we continued our journey until we reached Bogovolja, Croatia. We had planned to cross into Bosnia from this point, but at the checkpoint, we were informed that the passage was only for locals. As a result, we had to ride an additional 22 km up a steep inclin

We kicked off our day in Rijeka by exploring the bustling local market in search of breakfast. We sampled a variety of local treats: cheese-stuffed bread called Burek od Sira, a spinach-filled pastry known as Savijača Spinat, and a savory meat-filled delight called Burek od Mesa. Each was delicious, but my favorite was the Burek od Sira. After enjoying a rich coffee and picking up some fresh fruits and nuts from the market, we set off towards our next destination: Gomirje. In total, we covered 93 km with a total ascent of 1,829m. The incline at the beginning of the journey was steep yet pleasant. The most challenging part was the stretch through Lazac Lokvarski National Park, but the reward was immense. The park offers unparalleled natural beauty, with wild horses, serene lakes, and charming houses with tiled roofs that blend perfectly with the stunning landscape. In Mrzla Vodica, we took a break for a drink and a snack at Mzla Vodica in Gorski Kotar. We highly recommend trying th

Day 2 started with a refreshing dip in the hotel pool, followed by a buffet breakfast also included at Hotel Vela Vrata . The spread featured a variety of cheeses, cold cuts, omelets, fruits, and Croatian-style salads with arugula, goat cheese, peppers, and vinaigrette. After this hearty meal, we left Buzet and headed towards Rijeka. The first phase of the journey (Buzet to Vranja) was on the highway, pedaling alongside cars. Fortunately, all the drivers respected the distance with our bikes, and the road was not very busy. The wide road offered scenic green landscapes. The second phase consisted of a climb with gradients ranging from 10-18% as we entered Vela Učka National Park. It was undoubtedly a considerable effort, but the reward was immense. Reaching the summit felt glorious, especially when we stopped for a drink at Restaurant Dopolavoro . Once we regained our strength, it was time to begin the descent of over 1000 meters, with breathtaking views of the Rijeka coast and the A

  After savoring the delicious homemade breakfast at Casa Coronica, we set off towards our next destination: Buzet, Croatia. The ride took us through the stunning vineyard countryside and into the hills of the Istria Peninsula. The road was charmingly small and blissfully free of cars. The hilly terrain presented some steep challenges, with the highest peak reaching 430 meters at kilometer 30 out of our 44-kilometer journey. In this link you can download the interactive map. The roads offered spectacular views of lush greenery and vineyards, winding their way past a lovely waterfall. Along the way, we even encountered bike repair stations. Jon decided to test one out, but it ended with an unexpected flat tire, which he quickly pumped back up using his portable pump. Bike repair station After 5 and a half hours, we arrived in Buzet and discovered a fantastic place to stay: Hotel Vela Vrata . The room, complete with a nice bath, felt like heaven after our journey. We also enjoyed a priv

  Hello! We are Sara and Jon, and we are biking across the Balkans from Slovenia to Albania. This blog is our space to document our road cycling journey. Every bike adventure is incredible, and we want to share our discoveries with you, hoping they will also be useful for your cycling adventures! Our journey began on May 22nd, starting from Chamonix, France in a van, heading to Slovenia via Switzerland, Milan, Venice, and Trieste. We arrived in Piran, Slovenia, where we took a walk around the charming port city. ** Be aware that in Piran you need to leave your car outside the city center. There are clear signs on the road directing you to the parking areas. Parking costs 2.90 euros per hour, and there are no free parking spots available. Piran Coast Piran Alleys Piran is a small and beautiful port town, definitely worth a stop to explore and take a dip in the Gulf of Trieste. The water might be a bit chilly, but it's incredibly refreshing, especially in the heat of 2 pm. After a le