8 Day Cycling the Land of Waterfalls , Great combination of activities and nature. September

Rock climbing in Croatia as in the world is an activity in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or even artificial rock walls. To successfully complete a climb, one must return to the base of the route safely. Croatia being a mountainous country, it is also a rock climbers dream. You can find everything from multi-pitch traditional routes, sports climbing to deep water soloing (DWS) and bouldering on glorious limestone rock.

Paklenica National Park is a phenomenal climbing spot making it the most famous rock climbing area within Croatia, located close to Zadar. Paklenica offers everything from single pitch bolted sports routes, to a multi-pitch sport and traditional routes. The dramatic 350m high face known as Anica Kuk emphasizes everything that is excellent about rock climbing.

“the rock climbers’ paradise“

The heart of Rock climbing in Croatia is the Croatian paradise known as one of the top European climbing areas. Paklenica is situated near Starigrad-Paklenica, by the sea. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty and a part of Velebit Mountain, which is a part of Dinaric Alps. The relatively small area was an abundance of exceptional diversity of geomorphologic phenomena and forms, diverse flora and fauna, attractive landscapes and intact nature.

The North West region of Croatia, called Istria includes rock climbing around popular holiday destinations like Pazin, Pula, and Rovinj. There are over 700 sports routes here, which are mainly single pitch. Close by there is also an excellent crag at Osp in Slovenia, and further climbing around Trieste in Italy. This comprehensive region has a good mix of grades to suit climbers of all abilities.

Visit Croatia for some rock climbing

Kvarner, a region south of Rijeka, is the smallest climbing region in Croatia. Though there are some crags offering multi-pitch routes up to 185m long. The region of Dalmatia including Split also offers rock climbing on the islands of Hvar, Brac and Vis. Therefore offering over 800 mainly single pitch sports routes. The town Omis has some bolted multi-pitch routes up to 300m long. In the area, north and west from the capital town of Zagreb one can find a collection of crags. Mainly offering over 300 single pitch sports routes. The best time to visit Croatia for rock climbing is from April through late October.

Cycling in Croatia through nature parks, river valleys and forests is easy. Therefore traveling slowly you will enjoy more. Still, you can experience things a car passenger cannot. Feel the smell of flowers, hear birds singing, taste strawberries that grow by the road. Cycling along you can say “Dobar dan” to kids that play in villages. There are great roads for cycling in Croatia but they often have no signs. But they will take you to your destination.

Experience cycling in Croatia the most beautiful tracks

If you want to go cycling in Croatia, there are cycling routes available to satisfy everybody’s desires and levels. We offer various levels of cycling. Different routes availability, day trips, and even week-long trips. Join a well-paced bike tour through villages and country roads. There are not only beautiful sceneries but also old towns, churches and other places of cultural and historic interest. If you want to cycle on one of Europe’s most beautiful cycling tracks, Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must!

If you choose to arrive in Croatia with plane our guide/driver will pick you at airports Zagreb, Zadar or Rijeka for an additional charge. Plitvice Holiday Resort provides high service with varied accommodation options, which bring it to award-winning resort ideal for a continental region holiday. We will meet for a welcome drink and a brief orientation, where we will have the chance to discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know our fellow travelers.
 

Meals: D; Van ride: from Zagreb, Zadar, Rijeka 2 hours one way. 

We start our day checking bikes, sizes and heading to Plitvice Lakes, Croatia's premier national park. Your local guide will know when to start to avoid rush hour in the park. With combining several walking routes you will explore the park, seeing a different perspective of its beauty. Its exquisite series of 16 emerald green and opal blue travertine lakes, more than 90 waterfalls and numerous caves make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. It could be only explored by foot so, after 11km cycling, we are back on foot.
 

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own).
Cycling distance: 23 km; Terrain: rolling hills, up and down, tarmac; Difficult: easy/moderate
Walking: 4-8 miles; Terrain: easy/moderate 

Today is all about exploring the lovely pastoral Croatian countryside. We cycle on near traffic free roads through forests, between hills and ruined villages from the war. Our goal is to get to the old Military airport 'object 505'. Airport Željava, code name 'Object 505', was the largest underground airport and military air base in the former Yugoslavia, and one of the largest in Europe. Construction of the Željava or Bihać Air Base (code-named 'Objekat 505') began in 1948 and was completed in 1968. During those two decades, SFRJ (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) spent approximately $6 billion on its construction, three times the combined current annual military budgets of Serbia and Croatia. We will have time for a picnic lunch and to relax next to the river before heading back to the resort.
 

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own)
Cycling distance: 54km; Terrain: rolling hills, 70% tarmac, 30% gravel road;
Difficulty: moderate/challenge 

Day of culture and nature beauties. Our country is a speleological El Dorado. Not many countries in the world have so much surface covered in karst. Over fifty percent of Croatian territory, even seventy percent if we include the undersea surface area, is made of limestone. According to the local legend, the caves were named after someone named who defeated the furious Turkish giant in the battlefield and earned himself such an honor. We know that there are three caves. We will visit the only one which is open to visitors. It is an amazing place with a great picnic spot plus clean fresh water. Be aware that its cold inside even in summer and you should bring long sleeves.
 

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own);
Cycling distance: 12-50km; Terrain: rolling hills, 90% tarmac, 10% gravel road;
Difficulty: easy/moderate 

Today is your day, to enjoy easy rides following the “cheese” road and visiting family farms, like dairy farms, dear farm, horse farm, bee farm… You will get a map, a bike, and all needed information about what, where you can do it and see for yourself. Also, we offer other optional trips of different activities in the region and places which you can choose from our Optional Book. That will be presented by your guide a few days before.
 

Meals: B (lunch on your own); Van ride: max 2 hours one way. 

After a day of rest, it’s time to get sweaty. This time we will be far from civilization, cycling through forest uphill to get a nice view of the area. Where there is an uphill, there must be a downhill so be prepared for it. Mostly we will be on a gravel road. On our way back will stop several times in small villages, for a short but great refreshments.
 

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own);
Cycling distance: 55km; Terrain: rolling hills, 80% gravel, 20% tarmac road;
Difficulty: moderate/challenge 

So today is your last active day with us. After several kilometers on the bicycles, we will reach Bosnian border inhaling Bosnian air mostly all the way to the Rastoke village. Often called “Little Plitvice”. Once the waterfalls provided power for local mills, and today they add to the natural setting of the historical center of Slunj town. It is a rural Croatian settlement now distinguished by stone and wooden houses, paths, bridges, and charming restaurants that overlook the natural wonders. After a refreshment, we will cycle to one more beauty called Mreznica River. We do kayaking and rafting trips there so we know every waterfall but the most famous is 7m high perfect for jumping in the pool below. Jumping is optional as just relaxing on one of the waterfalls as long as you want. We will take a van ride back just before dinner.
 

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own);
Cycling distance: 60km; Terrain: rolling hills, 80% gravel, 20% tarmac road;
Van ride: 35min one way; 

Depart for the airport and flight home. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time. If you decide to spend more time in Croatia, our guides will be happy to recommend other beautiful places to visit - especially those you won’t find in tourist guidebooks.
 

Meals: B; Van drive: 2 hours one way 

Price

• All prices are per person in EUR
• Maximum number of participants: 8 guests per group. Larger groups upon request
• Minimum age: 16 years if accompanied by parent(s)
• Rooms: Please note that the accommodations are in 2 and 3 bedded rooms, mobile houses where 2 rooms share a bathroom. No 1-bedrooms are available. Single use rooms are available upon request, only as double rooms/single use, with a 20% surcharge. Sharing a room with another person of the same sex is possible.
• This itinerary includes a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Please contact the appropriate government office or Bosnian embassy or consulate to confirm whether you need a visa. If you need an EU visa, you will require a double entry visa.

What’s included

• 7 nights in double/twin rooms (sometimes two rooms share one bathroom)
• meals as noted in itinerary
• use of bicycles, helmets, etc.
• 5 days organized activities
• NP entrance fees
• skilled guide and assistance
• Arrival and departure transfers to Plitvice Holiday Resor
• ground transportation (private transport throughout)
• local taxes
• insurance

Not included

• international airfare to/from Croatia
• beverages and lunches or picnics as noted in itinerary
• optional trip on day 5, but it can be booked and paid on spot
• items of personal nature and optional gratuities to your guide(s)