The Ciro Cycling Trail: Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
The Ciro Cycling Trail: Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
The Ciro Cycling Trail: Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
8 Days Starting in Sarajevo and ending in Dubrovnik
Visiting: Sarajevo, Igman, Tušila, Bjelašnica, Visočica, Boračko Lake, Mostar, Čapljina, Zavala, Dubrovnik
Tour operator:
Tour code:
359
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The scenic Ciro Trail is a unique bicycle route opened in 2017 that runs through the Dinaric Alps between Mostar in the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Dubrovnik in Croatia. The 160-km paved cycle track follows the route of the old Austro-Hungarian railway line built in the 1900s and closed in the 1970s. The trail is often described as an “open-air museum”
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Sarajevo
Location: Sarajevo
Accommodation Name: Pension Kandilj or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrival on your own in Sarajevo. Depending on the time of your arrival you will have the rest of the day for exploring the numerous cultural riches of the city.
Day 2 : Igman War Route And The Olympic Experience | 61Km
Location: Igman, Tušila
Accommodation Name: Vrela Mountain Hut or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
On your first day, you’ll follow a path from Sarajevo to Igman and Bjelašnica Mountain, the site of the men’s downhill and ski jump during the 1984 Olympic Winter Games. You will cycle along the route over Igman connecting Sarajevo to the outside world during the war in the 90’s. Overnight in Tusila.
Cycling for the day: 61km, ↑1,300m
Day 3 : Bjelasnica And Visocica Mountains | 55Km
Location: Bjelašnica, Visočica
Accommodation Name: Vila Sunce Boracko Lake or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Starting from Umoljani village, today you go through Bjelašnica and Visočica mountain ranges to Boračko lake, following the Caravan trading route used during the Ottoman era. The gentle asphalt road will soon give way to a more challenging and steep road on a stretch between the Bjelašnica and Visočica Massifs through the heart of the Visočica Range. You pass medieval tombstones and monuments of Bosnia’s turbulent history, reminders of what once was a mighty kingdom stretching all the way to the Dalmatian coast.
Cycling for the day: 55km, ↑680m
Day 4 : Boracko Glacier Lake To Mostar | 60Km
Location: Boračko Lake, Mostar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Almira or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
You start the morning and warm up your legs with a strenuous climb out of Boračko Lake and then a spectacular ride across the Prenj mountain range. This is a challenging ride with switchbacks and climbing on a mix of gravel and secondary asphalt roads.
Cycling for the day: 60km, ↑940m
Day 5 : Mostar To Capljina | 60Km
Location: Mostar, Čapljina
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hutovo Blato, Park Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s ride starts in Mostar and ends in the town of Capljina. At the beginning, you can stop at Blagaj visiting the spring of Buna river and a 600-year old historical tekke (a Dervish monastery), uniquely perched on a 200 metre-high cliff that overlooks the entire area.
Cycling for the day: 60km, ↑410m
Day 6 : Capljina To Zavala | 60Km
Location: Čapljina, Zavala
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse Zavala or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s ride along the Ciro Trail will take you on a gravel path along vast fields and mounting beautiful old railway bridges, through the Hutovo Blato nature park. During the day you will be able to stop at various viewpoints and old railway stations: Capljina – Roman Villa Rustica – Ciro station Brstanica – Ciro station Ravno – Ciro station Zavala. In Zavala, you have the opportunity to visit one of the biggest speleological sights in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Vjetrenica Cave. Another place of interest is the XVI century Christian Orthodox Monastery of Zavala.
Cycling for the day: 60km, ↑950m
Day 7 : Zavala To Dubrovnik | 57Km
Location: Zavala, Dubrovnik
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Komodor or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You begin your ride along Popovo fields, an area that was flooded regularly in the past and as a result, most of the old villages today are located up on the sides of the dry limestone mountains and ridges. You will cycle along the old train tracks in direction of Ivanica Border Crossing. There is almost no traffic at all and the route is very enjoyable for riding. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Walking for the day: 57km, ↑450m
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Dubrovnik
Meals Included: No Meals
Departure on your own, or extra nights in Dubrovnik
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in 3-star hotels and family pensions (private rooms with en-suite facilities)
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 packed lunches, and 3 dinners
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Detailed pre-departure holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route
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Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all cycling days
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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Airfare and connecting land transfers
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Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
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Personal expenses
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Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
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Any items not explicitly listed as included
Check out our Q&As
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No they aren't
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
This holiday is appropriate for experienced cyclists and requires a good level of fitness (read more about difficulty grades). You will cycle on average of 60km per day, with an average daily elevation gain of 900m. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No they aren't
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Are flights included in this tour?
No they aren't
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No they aren't
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When to go?
This trip is available between May and October. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season – so please indicate desired beginning date when booking. During the active season, the weather is normally pleasant and sunny. More rain is expected at the beginning and the end of the season, and it gets warmer during July and August.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.