Hi All!
I have just finished my first cycle trip through South America for 3 months through Bolivia, Argentina and chile.
I am now in Europe and a little sad without my bike! I am looking to rent or borrow a bike and look at cycling some of the coast of Croatia starting from Pula but I am pretty flexible about the plan. Any tips/places to borrow a bike, short routes (i have a small ankle problem...so trying for easy/day routes) would be really appreciated !
Cheers
Eva
Hey Eva,
Croatia is beautiful for cycling, last year I cycled the whole coast from north to south. The istrian peninsula is absolutely gorgeous.. if you're starting in Pula you could just cycle the coast towards the north to Rovinj... or south to Rabac. I remember there were hills so not sure how easy it would be.. if you ever plan to cycle south to zadar or split then I highly recommend you get to Rabac, then take a ferry to the island, Cres.. cycle from one end to the other then take the ferry to Zadar back to the land. The coastal roads are known to be crazy so hopping on islands to skip cycling with the trucks is much safer and way more fun.
Have fun ! and hope that helped :)
Salma
I am about to start my trip in Croatia. From north to soth following Eurovelo. Could you give me some practical tips. As where did you sleep? I have been carryng my tent in Italy but didn0t use it at all. Are camping in the municipalites, regular ones, or is easy to get place if you go the same day with yor bike?
Thank you very much,
Onditz
Hi Onditz,
Wild camping is what I was doing all the time I slept in the tent. You can find beautiful places like this one (and sleep for free at the other side of a camping fence):
42.816652, 17.674825
Quiet ones like here:
42.786869, 17.329936
Or quiet and beautiful places like here:
google.com/maps/@43.8941333,15.6105243,3a,60y,103.98h,81.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEw5YKqn_NWqVARWZrL11mg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
You'll be finding though plenty of campings along the coast. Dalmatia lives from tourism. If one is crowded, either they'll make space for you or you'll drive 5 km to the next one. Just don't follow Eurovelo, since Jadranska cesta is the most dangerous road in the country (and probably in the Balkans) and above all it's not pleasant to ride kilometres between heavy trucks and buses. Do island hopping whenever possible (some catamaran captains might be reluctant to take you on board, but as a woman you'll find it easier) or give a chance to the beautiful Dinaric Alps and the hinterland in Bosnia and Lika.
I don't want to forget mentioning Montenegro and Albania (on the same Eurovelo). Lovćen Park has great views on Kotor Bay (and places to pitch tent), and again the coastal road is the worst option in my opinion. Lake Skadar (Shköder) has also wonderful spots to camp (https://bastovellaiugoslavia.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/vora-el-llac-esperen-el-furgo/). I'd definitely tell you to give your tent a chance this time.
Espero que et serveixi. Salut i bon viatge,
Uri
hi
why did you not go camping in Itatly?
im planning to bike in April from Nice (france) to Albany
Hello,
Maybe just because it was my first time travelling outside France. Actually I think if you plan better than me you can camp without problems. Why dind'nt I camp? The first reasonm its because the first day I just camp in the wrong place just by my own and don'nt feel sure...Secons reason is because after Ventamille there is one camping and too expensive for my budget. Floowing the Po river I am sure you can find more campings, at least two that I can remembre, in Cremona or Pavia, and betwwen Ferrara and Venezia a special cycling spot. At the end, I use warmshowers, hostels and bed and breakfast!
YOu will enjoy a lot...
Hello,
Maybe just because it was my first time travelling outside France. Actually I think if you plan better than me you can camp without problems. Why dind'nt I camp? The first reasonm its because the first day I just camp in the wrong place just by my own and don'nt feel sure...Secons reason is because after Ventamille there is one camping and too expensive for my budget. Floowing the Po river I am sure you can find more campings, at least two that I can remembre, in Cremona or Pavia, and betwwen Ferrara and Venezia a special cycling spot. At the end, I use warmshowers, hostels and bed and breakfast!
YOu will enjoy a lot...