Inland to island cycling in Croatia, 5 days

After breakfast and transfer to Dalmatian Inland, you will hop on your bikes and cycle a beautiful fertile field of Cetina valley. The second day of your cycling holiday we will connect several amazing river sources. You will start with the biggest one Cetina river source.

Above the source is imposing church from 9th century, Oldest Croatian built church Sv. Spas (St. Salvation).

100 km long river in its first part is unwinding through the fields and valley while in the second part is cutting through canyons and gorges, crossing over damns and under bridges and creating wonderful rapids and amazing views. Our way takes us along the Peruca lake to the Rumin spring with water mill, to reach it we need to pass the oldest bridge on Cetina river, Panj bridge.

The road is taking us along the small villages of Cetina valley to Grab river spring. This lovely spring has well preserved and functional water mills and stone bridge surrounded with oak, willow and  Lombardy poplar tree. River flow gets stronger and creates a lake with a few small rapids.

During the day you will have a chance to try local doughnuts.

Distance biked: 35-60km.

Total climb: 300-550 meters.

Overnight: Split town.

 Today we cycle historical republic of Poljica that was founded in the lower part of the Cetina river during middle ages. Once a place with turbulent history was many battles were lead today presents a peaceful and quiet natural oasis.

Firstly we will cycle Mosor mountain slopes and admire its high peaks. Cycling quiet paved road we will reach Gata from where is stunning view stretching on Omiš and Cetina river that carved its path to the sea between two mountains. We will find there Mila Gojsalic statue that is watching over her valley, the lady that by legend gave her life to save the republic from Ottoman invaders.

We continue along with old and peaceful villages of Zvečanje and Smolonje with an exceptional and turbulent history, with low traffic road till downhill to Cetina river and 110 years old Pavica bridge which is the only connection of two riversides in this part of the river.

This beautiful part of Cetina with its exciting canyon, waterfalls, rapids and forest was a set up for famous tv series “some of the best places for rafting, canyoning, zip-lining, and rock climbing”. We will cycle up and down along beautiful hilly roads reaching small villages and eventually descending to the river.  During summertime swimming in the refreshing river is a must.

The day finishes in the pirate town of Omiš. Here is where the Cetina river touches the Adriatic sea. This small town with significant sights and ancient and medieval history has become a home base for many adventurer lovers.

One of the breaks will be used to taste famous delicates of the area Soparnik, a pastry filled with chard and onion.

Distance biked: 45 km.

Total climb:  600 meters.

Overnight: Split town.

The bike tour starts from Split, taking an early morning ferry to the town of Supetar on the island Brac. After a short visit to the centre and the surrounding buildings like Leroj (bell-tower with the watch) you will start your biking adventure following the coastline westwards. Along the way, you will be enjoying the typical landscape of olive tree farms and vineyards from one and sea on the other side. Endless “suhozid” walls made by peasants through the centuries will follow you on the way with frequent “bunje” shelters, stony field-houses of round ground-plan with doom as the roof.

After passing by the town of Sutivan, you will reach the small village of Lozisca. With a population of only 139, it is a rare example of rural Mediterranean architecture absolutely untouched by modern life and in a spectacular setting.

From Lozisca, you will continue your trip up to the central part of the island cycling through the village of Nerezisce with its famous pine tree on the roof of St. Peter’s church.

The highest village on Brač, Gornji Humac is a collection of stone houses with large yards fenced by dry stone walls, for centuries a centre of stock breeding on the island.

And now the fun starts – 10 kilometres of pure downhill, cycling down the curvy road, with amazing view on the island Brac and our today’s final destination, town of Bol!

Bol is Brač’s oldest coastal settlement and the only one of any size on the island’s southern coast. A genteel life grew up over the centuries, and Brac boasts some fine mansions and palaces, most notably the 17th century renaissance-baroque palace, 18th century Lode Palace, the Loggia, a collection of fisherman’s cottages, an 18th-century windmill… There’s even a curiosity called “Kuca u kuci” or “The house within a house”, an illustration of what can happen when a dispute over a piece of land gets out of hand…

For relaxing end of the day, you can cycle or walk to the most famous Adriatic beach: Zlatni rat (“the Golden Cape”), it’s a triangle of shingle that changes shape with the winds and tides and juts out into a perfect azure sea. A pine forest grows along the spine of the cape providing an oasis of scented shade.

Distance biked: 50 km.

Total climb:  900 meters.

Overnight: Bol town.

The day will start with private boat transfer to the island Hvar. Exploration of Europe’s sunniest island will start at the same place where its ancient history starts: in Stari Grad plain. Greek colonized this area in the 4th century B.C due to its high agricultural value, focusing mainly on grapes and olives. The landscape features ancient stone walls and trims, or small stone shelters that remained intact over 24 centuries.

The first „urban stop“ will be Vrboska, Hvar’s smallest town and often called „Little Venice“ as two shores of its narrow bay with a little island in the middle are connected with several bridges. The most outstanding object of the architectural heritage in Vrboska is the 16th century  church (fortress) of St. Mary of Grace, built by the local people for the defence against the Turks. Fisherman’s museum is also worth of visit for a mid-day break, where you can learn about the local fishing tradition and way of life.

From Vrboska you will proceed toward Jelsa using a beautiful 5-kilometre ride under the shade of a dense pine tree forest. Jelsa is a great stop for wine lovers, with well-known wineries of Dubokovic and Tomic family where you can try some of the best local wines made of wine sorts Plavac and Bogdanusa.

From here, a smooth uphill will take you to picturesque villages of Pitve, Vrbanj, Svirće and Vrisnik. While today most of the population living next to the sea, back in the past inhabitant’s preferred safety of higher areas closer to the fertile lands. The villages are surrounded by endless vineyards, olive tree farms, fig trees and pine tree forest with little roads curving around them making it perfect for cycling.

The ancient town of Stari Grad, island’s oldest town is also on our way. Here you will have some time off and chance to explore 16th-century Hektorovicev Tvrdalj, Dominican monastery, the town museum and St. Nicholas church.

After a nice break follows a nine-kilometre long uphill. When on the top it will reward you with an amazing view on the open sea, Paklinski island archipelago and island of Vis in the distance. A pleasant and refreshing downhill will take you through the villages of Velo Grablje and Malo Grablje with only 14 people living in both at the moment.

And then the grand finale, unbelievable downhill ride to the majestic town of Hvar.

This gorgeous coastal town through the years has become the biggest success of Croatian tourism. It attracts many people because of its bohemian and relaxed energy combined with vibrant and energetic nightlife.  A mix of cultural significates with its natural beauty leaves no one indifferent.

Our program ends in Hvar town. Here we say good bye to each other and share one last

Distance biked: 40 km.

Total climb: 600 meters.