What time of the year should I cycle the Trans Dinarica? A few words about the weather in the Balkans.

“Which month is the best to cycle the Trans Dinarica?” is one of the most common questions we receive from cyclists. We are glad that you are showing such interest in the new Balkan long-distance cycling route. While the answer isn’t simple—much like the region’s ever-changing weather—we’ll try to at least roughly indicate when you should take time to plan your next bicycle adventure.

Bike trails in Montenegro, such as those in Durmitor, are perfect for cyclists looking to escape the summer heat and enjoy the cooler, forested areas of the Balkans.

If you want a short answer to ‘When to cycle the Trans Dinarica?’ (and at the same time cover the whole route), the answer would be: from May to September. But since the route stretches for 5,000 kilometers along the Balkan Peninsula, where mountains rise over 2,000 meters not far from the coast of the Adriatic Sea (with a mild Mediterranean climate), the answer is not so simple. In Montenegro, on the extraordinary mountain plateau Durmitor, we were caught by snow already at the beginning of May, the same can happen in the mountainous part of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Albania.

On the other hand, parts of the route in the south of Slovenia, through most of Croatia, in the west of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and parts of Albania and Macedonia are perfectly fine even in March or November, while we don’t imagine cycling in these places in July or August when temperatures rise above 30 degrees Celsius. Then it is better to tackle the mountainous, forested part of the Balkans, where you can refresh yourself in streams, rivers, and lakes along the Trans Dinarica trail.

The weather on the Trans Dinarica cycling route is diverse, ranging from snow in the mountains in early May to intense summer heat in lower areas, offering a unique experience across the Balkan trails.

The weather on the Trans Dinarica bike trail can be unpredictable and changes from year to year. For example, in Slovenia, 2022 was hot and dry, and a year later we had a lot, even too much rain. Not to mention the fact that cyclists have different criteria for what is (too) cold, what is (too) hot, and how many rainy kilometers we are prepared to cover.

We recommend checking the average temperatures of each area before your trip and then monitoring the weather forecast daily. In any case, pack both – a swimsuit and a rain jacket. It’s all part of the adventure. Good news: for anyone who will be using the navigation package, the weather forecast for the location is already included in the Ride With GPS app. We recommend that you monitor the forecast for at least three days ahead and adjust your cycling adventure if necessary. Check out our detailed route plan and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more cycling tips to make the most of your Balkan cycling trip.