“Can I explore the Trans Dinarica cycling route through the Western Balkans with a loaded touring bike? Or do I need something more off-road oriented?” is another common question that you were curious about. Here’s the short answer:

The diverse paths of the Trans Dinarica cycling route wind through terrain that invites all types of riders.

Trekking or touring bikes, some call them hybrid or fitness bikes, will be very useful, and an enduro or cross-country bike can also be an excellent choice. We would only advise against folding bikes, downhill bikes, and road racing bikes. Although, you know, where there’s a will, there’s a way 🙂

We used gravel bikes for exploring the route because they are fast on the road and relatively good on macadams. Above all, they are an excellent compromise because we don’t need a lot of luggage for our research work – a support van helps us with that.

Packing for the Trans Dinarica

When cycling a long-distance bike route, as far as luggage (and weight) is concerned, we advise you to take only the most essential things with you, as you will pass by the market or store almost every day (every other day for sure). What is necessary and how many extra kilograms should be carried on bicycles, opinions differ so much that it is difficult to draw a line between what is an acceptable weight and what is decidedly too much. Just be aware that sometimes roads like this await you:

Cycling through the Balkans, riders will encounter a mix of gravel roads and natural landscapes, making it a unique exploration of the Balkan Peninsula’s diverse terrain.

How much asphalt and gravel is there on the way?

Roughly 80% of the Trans Dinarica cycling route is asphalted, but the ratio of asphalt to gravel varies by stage. In some sections, like the Croatian part of the route, we’ve recorded stages with up to 99% macadam. Though most of the unpaved roads are well-maintained and easily passable, the experience of cycling on gravel often feels more significant since the slower pace on macadam makes it more noticeable.

When it comes to unpaved surfaces, cyclists can expect mostly well-maintained, hard macadam roads, which are accessible even by standard cars. However, some stages feature rougher terrain with larger stones, which are marked in the Trans Dinarica navigation packages for better route planning and preparation. Read more here: How many paved roads and how many gravel roads can I expect on the Trans Dinarica cycling route?

Discover what kind of terrain you can expect as you travel through each Western Balkan country on this adventurous cycling route.

Traveling through each Balkan country is always multifaceted; we experience it ourselves, and we are surrounded by nature, settlements, locals, animals … After our last cycling trip in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, we believe that meeting people—locals who have been cultivating the Balkan soil for decades—is a more important component than in the case of traveling through more touristic countries. In this article, we will share one day of our journey to highlight the deep sense of hospitality that makes Balkan travel truly unique.

Locals might generously offer you some homemade meals, coffee, and rakija, and welcome travelers like family at every stop along the cycling tour.

A Serbian breakfast to remember

Our first stop on the Serbian section of Trans Dinarica was the small town of Sjenica. “Whenever you want! If it’s at 7:00 a.m., let it be at 7:00 a.m.,” answered the owner of a house, in which she rents out a few rooms this year when asked when we can have breakfast. When I went to prepare the bikes for the next trip in the morning, at 6:40 she was already walking from one kitchen to another (outside) kitchen. Inside she was putting different kinds of cheeses and pickled vegetables on plates, outside she was frying ‘uštipci’ (a kind of fried bread) and fresh green peppers, and under the tablecloth, freshly baked homemade bread was cooling. At 6:58, the table was so full that we couldn’t finish it. But she wrapped up some uštipci, cheese, and some dried meat for us to go on our way. Here, we had lunch.

Afternoon coffee in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Early in the afternoon, there were signs of a storm coming from the west. We were late with the day’s plan, a little earlier we found ourselves on a path we wouldn’t have liked to see under a five-and-a-half-meter van. Slowly, it worked. But the scene before the rain is fantastic; we are on a high plateau, the Albanian and Montenegrin mountains can be seen in the distance, covered with snow, and we are in the screaming green mountains, overgrown with juniper and pine and spruce. We MUST take some photos and videos here! We stop near a lonely house, prepare the camera and walkie-talkie, and start working. If I wasn’t really in a hurry because of the coming rain, I would first go and ask if I could park at the house, but … A minute later, when the cyclists were already moving away, a lady greets me from the porch and asks if we want coffee. Oh, please, thank you!

By the time the shots are finished and the bikes are stowed back in the van, the house already smells of strong coffee, and there is sparkling water, some candy, and slices of dried beef on the table. We talked about life in these remote places, about where the five daughters moved to, how they are waiting for a better road, and how many cyclists pass by here. They refused to accept the payment.

Evening rakija and a table full of delicious food

In the evening, just a few kilometers before our last checkpoint of the day, we wanted to see the possibility of accommodation in a small village. An elderly man was outside making rakija and called his son from the house to ask for information about rooms. After a short conversation right through the windows of the van, we decided to stay right here, in the village. And here – again, in a few minutes, in addition to the promised clean beds, the table was full of homemade goodies, bread, meat, and fresh vegetables. And of course, glasses for rakija as we finished driving for the day.

Cycling any part of the Trans Dinarica bike trail, you will find that locals go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. From offering coffee to packing you extra food for your ride, the people you meet will be a major highlight of your trip. Plan your next bike adventure with us, stay updated with the best tips for exploring the Trans Dinarica, and sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.

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Cycling the Trans Dinarica cycling route has been more than just a project for me. In short posts on social networks, it is difficult to say or show why I like to participate in the creation of Trans Dinarica so much. Therefore, this time a slightly longer note about the project and why I believe our work has higher meaning.

Cycling the Balkans is the best way to get to know the essence of the region.

1. The unique charm of the Western Balkans

I simply love the countries of the Western Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia. I traveled to some of these countries as a child, and I got to know them even better in the last decade guiding tourists from all over the world. People often have preconceived notions about countries along the route. These opinions are related to, for instance, the collapse of Yugoslavia, the 20th-century regime in Albania, and the conflicts from the 90s. But holding onto those judgments is passe. I’m not saying history should be forgotten. Far from it. But focusing on decades-old news clouds today’s Western Balkans, which is one of Europe’s most original regions.

2. Trans Dinarica as a tool for sustainable tourism

The Balkans, if we exclude the coast and a few other hotspots, have thus managed to avoid mass tourism. That’s good … but it means the region’s integrity is so fragile that we must be careful what and who we’re inviting to this pleasant wilderness. Care is necessary because, first, it is good for nature. Secondly, it is good for preserving authentic communities. And third, you will get to know the essence of the Balkans best on a bike powered by your own energy and curiosity. A tourist on a bus socializes with other tourists. A cyclist socializes with locals. And, cyclists leave almost no trace. No need for mega hotels that spoil the mountain views. A room in a private house or three square meters of land to set up a tent are just fine.

I believe the Western Balkans and the sustainable way of exploring new lands — cycling — were born for each other. After we explored the first part of Trans Dinarica, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, I am even more convinced of this.

3. The perfect match for cycling enthusiasts

Trans Dinarica cycling route’s diverse terrain, from rugged mountains to peaceful valleys, creates a cycling adventure that is both challenging and rewarding. This route offers travelers a unique way to travel the Balkans with slow travel intention while respecting nature and engaging with local communities. Whether you’re cycling through Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or any of the eight countries on this route, each stage offers an authentic and immersive experience.

Through my role as a content creator, copywriter, and enthusiastic cyclist, I am excited to see the Trans Dinarica bike route come to life. I encourage everyone, from seasoned cyclists to newcomers, to experience the magic of the Balkans by bike and embrace a sustainable way of travel that benefits both the traveler and the region.

Matevž Hribar, content creator, copywriter, cyclist, van driver

Traveling the Balkans, we continue to get surprised. We continue with the work in the field: late-night planning for the next day, getting up early, a hearty breakfast (of course, we are in the Balkans!), driving in a van combined with cycling, turning around, asking locals for directions, and looking for the best alternatives for cyclists. In between, we’re taking photos and filming until the evening, when we usually we reach the destination of the stage after sunset.

From wild Drina NP to lively Sarajevo

After we left Serbia — crossing the Drina River — and entered Bosnia and Herzegovina, we got to see a fairly unknown part of this country: Drina National Park, established only in 2017. We viewed the river both from the bank and from the nearly 1,000-meter-high edge of the canyon. This is wilderness in the truest sense. Apart from a local man carrying felled trees with his horse, a park ranger with a VW Golf 2, and no more than five cars (in two days!), we didn’t meet a soul. This will be a more adventurous part of the Trans Dinarica, which some — more accustomed to shops and hotels — would likely miss altogether.

The complete opposite, but no less exciting, was Sarajevo — a place we all love and return every chance we get. We come for tastes like burek, ćevapčići, baklava, and Bosnian coffee at Čajdžinica Džirlo. We also come for the handmade crafts, like coffee sets made by Abdulah Hadžić at Manufaktura. In the evening, we stopped in for some of the city’s best traditional food at the restaurant Žara iz Duvara. The lively city life was enjoyed by the whole team, but as soon as we left the traffic behind, we felt the essence of the Trans Dinarica return to the wilderness.

Reaching Livno, we concluded our first research expedition in the field. We will continue with the work, but until then, thanks to everyone who helped us along the way and to everyone who expressed interest in the wildest bicycle transfer through the countries of the Western Balkans via social media and e-mail. Let’s keep in touch!

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Dear cyclists, adventure lovers … and Western Balkans devotees:

Gallery from the last few days: