The Trans Dinarica Cycle Route, a stunning succession of natural splendour and cultural treasures of the Balkans, is the newest cycling route of 2024. If there is one cycling route across the Balkans that you should have cycled, it is the Trans Dinarica Cycling Route. This unique Balkan cycling route, which spans eight countries, offers an amazing combination of landscapes, of cultures, of unforgettable experiences actually.
Eight different countries
The Transdinarica cycle route crosses the following countries in the Balkans:
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Albania
- Kosovo
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
Suitable for all types of bikes
The Transdinarica cycle route is aimed at the widest possible audience. Although its creators, Good Trail from Slovenia, have pre-ridden the route on a gravel bike, the intention is that touring bikes and MTBs can also ride the route. As they themselves point out in a blog post: 'prepare for some not-really-perfect gravel'. Free translation: it could still be muddy. We can't wait.
Creating the Trans Dinarica is more than just issuing a map: it is a comprehensive route development project. It is a complete experience, from creating GPS files to meeting local guest house owners and connecting with local cycling guides who know the (state of the) roads. The creators are also working on making the route visible with signs and marking the path so that you can ride the route even without navigation or a mobile phone.
Why not start in Serbia?
If you were to start on the Serbian part, prepare for an amazing combination of terrains. If you start at Tutin, you will drive through the mountainous Sandžak region, pass UNESCO-world heritage sites and go through the Tara National Park in. With seven main stages (and some alternatives), the Serbian section alone covers almost 350 kilometres, with an altitude difference per stage averaging 800 metres. The route is un-Dutch beautiful.
But there is more
The entire Transdinarica route is a combination of the best the Balkans have to offer. It runs through national parks, past UNESCO heritage sites and through historic villages, allowing cyclists to immerse themselves fully in the region's traditions and beauties.
Different countries - different stories
Each stretch of the Trans Dinarica calls with its own story, waiting to be unravelled by the tread of your bike. Whether it is the beautiful silence of the mountains, the wildlife you are about to encounter, or the hospitality in the villages along the route, the Trans Dinarica Cycle Route guarantees a great bikepacking experience. We are sold and even the Lonely Planet recognised it as a destination that should be at the top of every cyclist's list by 2024.
Advance tips:
- in 2024, the route will come live. Follow the Trans Dinarica site for the latest updates
- This route is doable with packs, but the makers already indicate that you should pack as light as possible. This is because of the already mentioned 'not so perfect gravel'.
- There are shops on every stretch of the route, so in terms of food, pack as little as possible
- If you are vegetarian, or vegan, it is useful to remember that the Balkan diet contains a lot of meat. There is room for plenty of beans, of course, but the grill and meat are important pillars in the diet. Read here about the food along the route
- Doing the route in one go seems almost impossible. So plan for a nice week in, say, Croatia and Montenegro, or a five-day along the Albanian coast.
