The Trans Dinarica Cycling Route, a beautiful combination of natural beauty and cultural treasures from the Balkans, is the newest cycling route of 2024. If there is one cycling route across the Balkans that you should have cycled, then it has to be the Trans Dinarica Cycling Route. This unique Balkan cycling route, which spans eight countries, offers a great combination of landscapes, cultures, and unforgettable experiences, in fact.
Eight different countries
The Transdinarica cycling route crosses the following countries in the Balkans:
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Albania
- Kosovo
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
Suitable for all types of bicycles
The Transdinarica cycling route is aimed at as wide an audience as possible. Although the creators, Good Trail from Slovenia, rode the route on a gravel bike, the intention is that touring bikes and mountain bikes can also ride the route. As they themselves state in a blog post: ‘prepare for some not-really perfect gravel’. Free translation: it could still be muddy. We can’t wait.
The creation of the Trans Dinarica is more than just publishing a map: it is an extensive project to develop a route. It is a complete experience, from creating GPS files to meeting local owners of a guest house and connecting with local bike guides who know the (state of) roads. The creators are also working to make the route visible with signs and to mark 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 the Serbian part, prepare yourself for a wonderful combination of terrains. If you start in Tutin, you drive through the mountainous Sandžak region, pass UNESCO World Heritage sites, and, among other things, go through the Tara National Park With seven main climbs (and a number of alternatives), the Serbian section alone covers almost 350 kilometers, with an average elevation difference per stage of 800 meters. The route is beautifully designed in a Dutch style.
But there is more
The entire Transdinarica route is a combination of the best that the Balkans has to offer. It runs through national parks, along UNESCO World Heritage sites, and through historic villages, allowing you as a cyclist to fully immerse yourself in the traditions and beauty of the region.
Different countries – different stories
Each section of the Trans Dinarica evokes its own story, waiting to be revealed by the surface of your bike. Whether it’s the beautiful silence of the mountains, the wild animals you’ll encounter, or the hospitality in the villages along the route, the Trans Dinarica Cycling Route guarantees a great bikepacking experience. We’re sold and even the Lonely Planet recognized It should be a destination that tops every cyclist's list for 2024.
Tips in advance:
- In 2024 the route will be live. Follow the Trans Dinarica website for the latest updates
- This route is manageable with a pack, but the organizers already indicate that you should pack as light as possible due to the ‘not so perfect gravel’ mentioned earlier.
- There are shops at every point on the route, so pack as little food as possible.
- If you are a vegetarian or vegan, it is useful to bear in mind that the diet in the Balkans contains a lot of meat. There is of course plenty of room for beans, but grilled meat and meat dishes are important components of the diet. Read about it here. eating along the route
- Doing the route all at once seems almost impossible. Therefore, plan for a nice week in, for example, Croatia and Montenegro, or a five-day trip along the Albanian coast.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.