Cycle, Hike & Kayak the Dalmatian Coast
Trip Overview
(Biking, Hiking, and Kayaking) Explore Croatia, Montenegro, and the sunny Dalmatian Coast on an action-packed active adventure tour. Our Croatia adventure offers Biking and hiking sea-fed lakes, pine forests, caves, and ruins, and even kayaking across the Bay of Kotor.
From the stone walls of Dubrovnik to the beautiful surrounding archipelago, the Western Balkans are the perfect place for an authentic local living adventure.
Over the course of 9-days, you'll discover Croatia and Montenegro's cultural and natural charms, spending your days actively exploring the area and immersing yourself into the local culture. Enjoy homemade meals and spend your nights in character-rich, family-run guesthouses.
Admire panoramic views of the Dalmatian coast and mountains as you bike between villages, farms and vineyards of the Peljesac peninsula. Learn how to cook Croatian dishes with a local family and sample regional wines and olive oils right at the vineyard. Hike and bike around the sea-fed lakes and dense pine forest of Mljet Island's National Park.
Learn about farming oysters and mussels before having a picnic-style lunch of the freshly harvested shellfish, accompanied by local wines and liqueurs. Kayak across the stunning Bay of Kotor to explore mysterious Cold War-era tunnels and 14th century fishing settlements.
WOW FACTORS
- Eat homemade meals with families in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Sample oysters and mussels that were harvested in front of your eyes
- Kayak across the Bay of Kotor at sunset to local fishing villages and Cold War-era tunnels
Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Dubrovnik
Arrival
Our Western Balkan adventure begins in Dubrovnik, a beautiful walled medieval city wedged between the Adriatic Sea and the mountains of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Upon arrival, make your way to your cozy local B&B. The rest of the day is at leisure until the early evening when we’ll meet together with your guide for a traditional Dalmatian dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Konavle
Biking
We start with a hearty homemade breakfast and then have a short drive to the village of Gruda. From here we get our bikes fitted and adjusted to our liking before setting off for a 35km/21mi bike ride along the Konavle Valley. The route veers past the Ljuta River and fertile farmlands of vineyards. We have a good climb to the small villages above the valley as we head towards Pridvorje. We make a stop along the way to a family home, where we have a tasting of local liquors and wine. Afterwards, we have a cooking class of local cuisine that we will feast on for today's lunch. Later, we return to Dubrovnik for some free time before dinner and overnight in the same comfortable B&B.
Biking: 35km / 21 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Herzegovina
Biking
This morning we have a 20 minute shuttle to the town of Ivanica on the Croatian border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This part of southern Bosnia and Herzegovina is very rural with old traditional villages. There is an old abandoned Austrian railroad here that crosses the border and goes through the valley of Popovo Polje, before continuing on to southern Croatia. The last train was in 1970 and since then the tracks were lifted and the route has been paved. During the last war between the Croats and the Serbs this was a war zone and there are still many reminders of that time with devastated villages, houses, and war bunkers. Today however this area is beautiful and the way of rural life here is much less developed than in other parts of Europe. Our base is in the small village of Zavala, where there are only 15 inhabitants. We stay in very unique accommodations, the old railway station which was destroyed during the war but has recently been renovated and reopened into a small hotel. We'll have some time to wander through the village and explore the Vjetrenica cave and Zavala, a 15th century monastery. Dinner tonight will be at the B&B restaurant which is superb.
Biking: 44 km / 27 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Zavala - Ston
Hiking
After breakfast we pack our bikes and luggage into our vehicle and drive through the hilly Popovo Polje valley to the Dalmatian coast of Croatia and the town of Ston. We'll stop at our hotel to unload our bags and then drive to the village of Ponikve. From here we follow the old Napoleonic road down to the valley of Ston. There are stone vineyards and Mediterranean gardens scattered along the road. From the crest above the valley there are fantastic views of Mljet Island, Ston Bay with its oyster farms and many small islands, and also the forts and city walls of Ston. Once we hike down to the valley the winery owner will meet us and take us back to the village of Ponikve and to his winery. We'll have a tasting of his excellent wines, as well as sample extra virgin olive oil and herbal teas all produced on his property. Afterwards we'll drive to Hodilje where we'll embark on the boat of a local oyster producer. We'll sail along the bay dotted with oyster and mussel farms, docking on a small island where we'll be shown the technique of farming shellfish. Then it's time for a picnic lunch of mussel buzara (a traditional stew) plus oysters and homemade wines and liqueurs. We'll then return to Ston and have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to explore this walled city. We'll meet for dinner around 7pm. Overnight in a cozy B&B.
Hiking: 10 km / 6 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Mljet Island
Hiking
We have an early morning today with a 7:00am ferry to Mljet Island, one of the many islands of Dalmatia. The ferry ride is 45 minutes along the Adriatic Sea with beautiful views of mountainous islands scattered in the sea. Once we reach the port of Sobra, we'll drive to the National Park of Mljet. We'll stop at our hotel, unload our gear and freshen up and then hike along a path above the town in the direction of Montokuc peak, the highest peak in the park at 1100 feet/335 meters. The vistas from the top are spectacular with salt lakes, lush Mediterranean vegetation and small villages. On the way down we follow a path to the salt lakes and then to the port of Pristaniste where we'll take a water taxi to St. Mary island on the lakes. We'll have lunch here and then water taxi back to Pristaniste and walk back to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free before a group dinner in the evening. Overnight at a cozy B&B on Mljet Island.
Hiking: 13 km / 8 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Mljet Island - Herceg Novi
Sea Kayaking
This morning we take the 9:00am ferry from Mljet back to the Peljesac peninsula. Once we reach the port of Prapratno we'll drive along the coast to Herceg Novi in Montenegro. The drive is two hours. Herceg Novi is the Bay of Kotor’s youngest town, established in the 13th century and its Old Town and three fortresses (one Spanish, one Turkish and one Italian) stand guard to the entrance to the Bay of Kotor at the foot of the imposing Mount Orjen, the highest coastal peak of the Dinaric chain. We'll check into our local guesthouse located near the waterfront and then head to the harbor area on foot for our afternoon of kayaking. We'll gear up with sit-on-top sea kayaks and our guide will give an instructional paddle. Then we'll set off paddling across the bay to the small fishing village of Rose and then onwards towards the entrance to the Bay with options to explore the Cold War era submarine tunnels or pull up on one of the tiny beaches and enjoy a swim. We'll paddle back towards Herceg Novi and enjoy the spectacular view of Mount Orjen and the other peaks around the Bay as the rock turns from grey to pink as the sun sets. Upon arrival back at the harbour, we’ll change into dry clothes and head for dinner at a local fish restaurant. We’ll sample traditional coastal dishes such as black risotto (freshly caught calamari and the ink used to colour the rice) and sopska salad (feta cheese and cucumber). After dinner, the remainder of the evening is free.
Kayaking: 3.5 - 4 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Vrmac Ridge
Hiking
After breakfast we will transfer by car and ferry to the small town of Gornja Lastva on the mountainside above Tivat. From the village, we will start our hike to the spectacular Vrmac Ridge, with views to both Kotor Bay and Tivat Bay as well as the Adriatic Sea. We will hike along the ridge towards Kotor using the area’s century old pathways and trails constructed as part of the Montenegrin Coastal Transversal route. At Trojica, we descend again on the switchback pathways into Kotor. The path is in good condition for most of the way but some parts may be overgrown. After the hike, we will have some leisure time to explore Kotor’s historic walled town with its narrow traffic free streets, piazzas and cafes before heading back to Herceg Novi. Departing from Kotor by road, we’ll have the chance to visit Perast and its historic waterfront and small monastery islands before heading back to Herceg Novi. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner in the historic Old Town at a local restaurant, and have time to explore and enjoy the atmosphere of this charming location. Overnight in the same family-run hotel in Herceg Novi.
Hiking: 9-13 km / 5.5 - 8 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
Herceg Novi - Dubrovnik
Hiking
This morning we drive 25 minutes to Mount Orjen, the highest peak on the Dinaric coastal chain. From here we'll hit the trails hiking on stone paths through a beautiful alpine landscape with scree. We'll hike up to the mountain hut, which takes about 2 hours at a moderate pace and once there we'll take some time to relax and enjoy the incredible views or explore the ancient beech forests and remains of former shepherd settlements. We'll enjoy lunch at the mountain hut and then descend on a more direct path back to the trail head. In the afternoon we’ll transfer back to Dubrovnik for the final night of our trip. Our Croatian guide will greet us at the hotel, and once everyone is freshened up from our last day of adventure, we'll meet for a group farewell dinner.
Hiking: 6.1 km / 3.8 mi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
Dubrovnik
Departure
We will have breakfast in our hotel and then depending on your flight time, you may have time to explore this lovely city a bit more before arranging your transfer to the airport for your international flight back home or onward within Europe.
Meals: Breakfast
NOTE about Ascent/Descent numbers:
The ascent/descent numbers are usually generated using Ride with GPS. The numbers are TOTAL ascent/descent for the day and these numbers do not suggest altitude. There are usually multiple small ascents and descents added up throughout the day to reach this total ascent/descent for the day. (While our numbers are generally consistent with Ride with GPS, depending on the mapping technology used, numbers may vary).
What's Included
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), all accommodation (twin shared), all internal transportation, Cannondale CAAD8 Road Bikes or Trek 8.2 Dual Sport Hybrid bikes and English-speaking guides.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International airfare, airport taxes, airport transfers*, gratuities, meals not included, and items of a personal nature.
MEALS:
8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 8 Dinners
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel: 8 Nights
*We can arrange airport transfers on your behalf as an add-on. Let us know at time of booking and we can arrange a quote for you.
Trip Facts
Weather in Croatia
The climate in Croatia varies from Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast to continental inland. The high coastal mountains help to shield the coast from cold northerly winds, making for an early spring and late autumn. In spring and early summer a sea breeze called the meastral keeps the temperature down along the coast. Winter winds include the cold bura from the north and the humid siroko from the south. The sunny coastal area experience hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, while the interior regions are cold in winter and warm in summer. Because of a warm current flowing up the Adriatic coast, sea temperatures never fall below 10°C in winter and are as high as 26°C in August. You can swim in the sea from mid-June until late September.
May to September: Dry, hot summer. Average afternoon temperatures range 25 to 29°C (77 to 85°F). A warm, northward flowing sea current along the coast makes swimming possible from early May to late September.
Travel Documents
Citizens from Canada and the USA require a valid passport to enter Croatia. Citizens of other nations should check with their nearest Croatian Embassy for entry requirements. You must have a valid passport for at least six months beyond the conclusion of your trip in order to enter. A travel visa is not required if travelling with a Canadian or American passport. Citizens of other nations should check with their nearest Croatian Embassy for visa requirements.
Food and Water
The Croatian diet is influenced by its varied climate, landscape, and neighbouring cultures. The Adriatic coast is renowned for the variety of seafood dishes, including shellfish and mixed fish stewed with rice. Dishes made from chicken, beef, pork, and lamb are common throughout Croatia, especially inland and in rural areas. An inland specialty is strukli (a salt or sweet-cheese strudel, boiled or in a casserole.) Wine is the most popular drink with a meal. Also popular are fruit drinks, mineral water and beer.
FAQ
Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.
We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.
This is a “moderate” trip. These trips include 4-5 hours of physical activity throughout the day, with many breaks along the way. The biking portions of BikeHike Adventure’s trips are the most cardiovascular portions of the trips, but there are always support vehicles available on our BikeHike trips. During the biking section, our travellers don’t have to carry anything on their backs as any packs can be carried in the support vehicle. During the hiking portions of the trip, the most you would have to carry on your back is a daypack.
BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994.
The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.
Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge. The age range on this trip is typically from 35-60, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.
Dubrovnik, Croatia. You can arrive anytime on day 1 of the trip, although there is a group dinner arranged in the evening. You can depart Dubrovnik anytime on day 9.
The best time of year to travel is from April to October. Keep in mind the months of July and August can be VERY hot. The climate of Croatia and Montenegro varies depending if you are on the coast or inland. The coastal areas have hot, dry summers and rainy winters, yet the inland areas are cold in winter and warm in summer. Sea temperatures in the Adriatic Sea in the summer can be as high as 26’C/79’F, due to warm currents flowing north up the Coast.
Can I take this trip if...
Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 75% single travellers and 25% couples. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike.
We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.
While most of our trips are created with adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers. This trip is generally good for older children or teenagers. However, we do offer many Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.
More about this trip...
Yes, E-bikes are available to rent for this trip. Please let us know in advance.
The biking is on rolling paved roads. There is no singletrack riding on this trip, but rather road rides that sometimes require you to choose your line due to the uneven ground. On Day 2, we ride along the Konavle Valley. The route veers past the Ljuta River and fertile farmlands of vineyards. As we head towards Pridvorje, we have a good climb to the small villages above the valley. On Day 3, the biking is through a rural area filled with old traditional villages. For the biking days, you are only required to carry a few essentials, i.e. camera, water, snacks.
The hikes are all short day hikes, and you’ll need only a small daypack for your water and camera.
The sea kayaking is in single and tandem kayaks on the Adriatic Sea. The kayaking is a day trip, so you’re not required to pack gear in the hatches. The level of the water really depends on the winds but generally speaking, the seas are not overly challenging. The kayaking day on this trip is in Montenegro, and it is all within the Adriatic’s Bay of Kotor. However, as it is still the sea, it can be unexpectedly windy/choppy at times. In the summer, the sea is usually very calm though. Expect roughly 3-5 hours of paddling with options to lengthen or shorten. The water is warm and there will be opportunities to swim.
Accommodation
Most of our trips include comfortable mid-range accommodations. This includes accommodation that provides a clean and comfortable experience in characterful surroundings that reflect the destination. To build stronger connections with the communities and support the local economies, we avoid using large international chain brands on BikeHike trips.
This trip includes the following types of accommodation:
HOTELS
For reasons stated above, BikeHike prefers small hotels that showcase the character of Croatia and Montenegro. Often times, these hotels are family run, like the one we will be staying in Herceg Novi.
In Zavala, we will get the unique opportunity to stay in an old railway station, which was destroyed during the war but has recently been renovated and reopened into a small hotel.
B&B (GUESTHOUSE)
We will also stay in some charming European B&Bs (guesthouses) throughout most of the trip. In these, the experience will be of living as a local rather on the common style of western living, and these may be more basic than western style standard B&Bs. However, the accommodation will be comfortable and cozy. In fact, often times, these stays are a highlight of the trip as they really connect you to the small places where you’ll be visiting. For example, we stay in a cozy B&B in Ston, a small city with less than 2500 inhabitants as well as on Miljet Island, whose population is roughly 1000 people. These are places one would not be able to stay and experience otherwise.
Click HERE for more information about accommodation styles.
Trip At A Glance
| Day | Destination | Activity |
Duration
|
Distance | Lodging | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dubrovnik
|
Arrival
|
— | — |
B & B
|
d
|
| 2 |
Konavle
|
Biking
|
— |
35 km
21 mi
|
B & B
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 3 |
Herzegovina
|
Biking
|
— |
44 km
27 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 4 |
Zavala - Ston
|
Hiking
|
— |
10 km
6 mi
|
B & B
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 5 |
Mljet Island
|
Hiking
|
— |
13 km
8 mi
|
B & B
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 6 |
Mljet Island - Herceg Novi
|
Sea Kayaking
|
3.5 - 4 hrs
|
— |
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 7 |
Vrmac Ridge
|
Hiking
|
— |
9 - 13 km
5.5 - 8 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
d
|
| 8 |
Herceg Novi - Dubrovnik
|
Hiking
|
— |
6.1 km
3.8 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 9 |
Dubrovnik
|
Departure
|
— | — | — |
b
|
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Submit a ReviewThis was my second trip with them and find their process and diligence to detail from reservation to trip completion superb!
As a frequent adventure traveler, I have completed many international trips and particular enjoyed the small group size to be an advantage. The guides have always been very good but the guides on the recent Croatian trip were by far the best I have experienced in my 15 years of traveling internationally. They were professional, local and provided first-hand experiences that frankly you seldom receive with many of the larger adventure outfitters.
The best experiences with BikeHike are the smaller accommodations and the cultural immersion that places your directly in with locals. Often we stayed at family owned B&B or Inns, top-of-the-line bikes and itineraries that take you off the beaten away from exhausted tourist trap locations. There is always an adventure literally around the corner. The day of biking through Bosnia-Herzegovina brought us through ghost towns and areas still in ruin from the war of the 1990s - a snapshot in time with historical perspective for those embracing a flavor of history.
Given my most recent and earlier trip with BikeHike I am already planning my 2020 adventure.
This company pulls out all the stops to ensure a great, memorable trip.
I liked being embedded with the local guide (I have friends who have been to Croatia on small cruise ships or driving tours instead), and actually having a local guide who can not only take you places but relate the history and ethos of the place makes it very special. We loved the hikes, and loved the food interactions with the local hosts. Our favorite meal was when we took the boat out of Mali Stone to see the oyster farms and feasted on the local oysters and mussels. So good!
I was so pleasantly surprised and impressed with the focus on great, local food. I loved the meals we had with local families in both Croatia and Montenegro. That was second to the activities we did on a daily basis, which is why I took the trip. I enjoyed the biking, hiking, kayaking. The guides were extremely knowledgeable about the countries we were touring, and also gave excellent insight into what it's like to live in the regions. Both did an excellent job and made the tour what is was, which was excellent.
Very detailed and personalized itinerary!! I like that we stayed and/or ate at small (family run) B&B and/or places.
What we liked best: Croatia and Montenegro - both of our guides' willingness to share their own experiences/perspectives on life in these countries.
The "foodie" experiences were top-notch (in Konavle valley, near Ston, near Herceg Novi).
We loved the location, cycling, food was good, guide was good. The whole package worked. The best part was how Bike/Hike adapted the trip to meet our needs. Your efforts were greatly appreciated and we will continue to tell our friends about you.
What I liked best about this trip: The physical activity combined with the wine tasting opportunities, the dinners with local families and cooking participation.
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