C R O A T I A
Bear Trail Bikepacking in Slovenia and Croatia A sustainable approach to cycling that has minimal impact on the environment. With the help of experienced guides, your animal watching will be friendly to nature and its inhabitants A W I L D W E E K E X P L O R I N G B Y B I K E
AThe programme is intended for all enthusiastic wildlife observers, photographers and bikers who would like to experience the magic of unspoilt nature and the power and appeal of the Slovenian and Croatian forests and their inhabitants first hand, by biking in nature. Although the programme is more than just about observing animals, since it requires the participants to cycle almost 400 km in total, it allows enough time for activities where one can learn many interesting facts that will place wildlife in a wider context, all with the help of experienced guides, and by watching bears from an observatory adapted for photography.
The trip boasts remarkably well maintained routes, gorgeous landscapes and lush green nature. In the course of one week, the seaside and wild mountains resonate in an amazing symphony through the dense forests of Notranjska region and Gorski Kotar, the rocky Velebit mastiff, and beautiful beaches of the Croatian coast. D A Y T O D A Y P R O G R A M M E
Day 1 Divača – Ilirska Bistrica Distance: 67km Elevation: 1550m
The day starts at the UNESCO site, the world famous Škocjan Caves with the educational trail offering wonderful views of the deep collapse dolines, steep walls, the disappearing Reka river and the surrounding hills. However, the highlight of the day is Mt Slavnik with its fabulous views over the sea and the other Slovenian regions. From there, concrete and gravel roads take the tour through the forest to Ilirska Bistrica.
Day 2 Ilirska Bistrica – Grad Snežnik Distance: 62km Elevation: 1370m
The route starts climbing to Mountain Snežnik. The route from the beginning offers views towards the Adriatic Sea and Brkini Hills. The tour starts then descending in the forest towards Snežnik Castle, one of the few castles in Slovenia that can boast of original furnishings. The area around Snežnik is known by the highest density of brown bears so bear watching from the hides will be organized in the evening.
Day 3 From Slovenia to Croatia Distance: 65km Elevation: 1250m
We cross into roatia's Gorski Kotar. The plateau represents a climate barrier between the littoral and the continental part of the country. The rest of the day is spent biking through the heart of National Park Risnjak. The day is wrapped up at Fužine, a beautiful little highland town in the midst of unspoiled nature, which has a long-standing tradition in tourism.
D A Y T O D A Y P R O G R A M M E
Day 4 From the forest to the Adriatic Sea Distance: 64km Elevation: 1180m
The route first runs through the shady area of the mountains just above the coast, and then a single track descends directly to the charming coastal town of Novi Vinodolski. From there, it is headed to another town, the legendary Senj situated at the foothills of the Velebit mountains. The town is well known for its wind. The bora wind blowing around Senj can reach up to 220 kilometres per hour. The symbol of Senj is the Nehaj Fortress dating back to 1558.
Day 5 Velebit mountains – the ascent to heaven Distance: 38km Elevation: 1800m
Biking up to the mighty Mount Velebit is rewarded with the most beautiful views over the Northern Adriatic coast and its islands. This is a short but rather hard ascent that starts from the sea level and heads directly towards Velebit. At the Oltare mountain pass, the trail joins the road leading to the entrance of the Northern Velebit National Park from where it continues on gravel to the Zavižan mountain hut, the highest-positioned meteorological station in Croatia, which serves as the overnight base on the tour.
D A Y T O D A Y P R O G R A M M E
Day 6 The heart of the Velebit mountains ridge Distance: 70km Elevation: 920m
One of the highlights of the tour is the trail running along the main Velebit mountains ridge, where participants can explore the lush forests and meadows and enjoy the amazing nature-created shapes of the karstic relief in the Dinaric Alps. After reaching Alan, the area offering the most impressive vistas over Velebit, the trail continues towards village Baška Oštarija where in the evening, bear watching from the hide will be organized.
Day 7 From the mountains back to the Adriatic Sea Distance: 20km Elevation: 200m
The last day there is just a short descent towards Croatian coastal town Karlobag where cold beer and the warm Adriatic Sea will wait for all of those who will finish this epic cycling journey.
Day 8 Departure
D E T A I L S
Days 8 days/ 7 nights
When Late spring, early summer and early autumn
Accommodation Local accommodation and one hut
Guide Matic
How to get there The “Bear trail Bikepacking” programme starts and ends at the town of Divača. There are 4 international airports (Ljubljana, Zagreb, Trieste, Venice) within a maximum distance of a 2.5-hour drive from Divača. Transfers can be arranged from any of these airports and from Ljubljana, upon request.
Languages English, Croatian
Other Fitness level: Medium - High Technical difficult: Easy - Medium Length & elevation: 386km, 8090m
P R I C E S
Price €2775 for 2 people €2375 for 3 people €2125 for 4 people €1975 for 5 people €1875 for 6 people €1815 for 7 people€1750 for 8 people
Rates per person are based on double occupancy. In the case of the hut we use dormitory rooms.
Single room supplement €210
Price includes 7-nights accommodation 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners; all meals include typical local food Fully qualified and experienced guide for the entire trip Navigation pack: GPS track, maps, tour booklet Transfer from the route ending point to the route starting point A bear watching activity from a hide Entrance fee to Northern Velebit National Park
The cost does not include Flights Transfer from airport/train station to Divača Bike, e-bike and other accessories rental (can be arranged upon request) Travelling and activity insurance, personal safety and cycling equipment, lunches, beverages, any other items not listed in the price Personal extras O U R R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y
Due to the huge growth in coastal tourism in Croatia over the last 10-15 years, many local inhabitants have moved out of the Velebit area towards the coast. As a result, many areas of this beautiful region are now characterised by land abandonment, rural exodus and fading cultural tradition. Rewilding Europe is working with local partners to transform these challenges into opportunities. This has seen the establishment of the 23,000-hectare Velebit Nature Reserve.
A new wildlife watching venture saw the construction and opening of two wildlife hides in this reserve in 2016. These will benefit the local community through job opportunities and boosted tourism income. They represent the first step in developing the area’s vast potential as a sustainable nature tourism destination.
In collaboration with the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Forestry, the Rewilding Velebit team is working to have the Ramino Korito old-growth beech forest designated a special woodland reserve. This, in turn, will positively impact the number of visitors and thereby boost the area’s nature-based economy.
Two unique forests in the Rewilding Velebit area were recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Rewilding Europe is working to promote this model across Europe.
Read more about our work in the Velebit Mountains here W H A T T O B R I N G
We recommend you to dress in layers.
CHECKLIST Biking pants/shorts Hiking shoes Sun hat Water bottle day pack Long pants Hat and wool gloves Jacket Raincoat or poncho Sun protection cream Non-smelling mosquito/tick repellent and camp shoes (sandals) Binoculars Personal toiletries/medicines and ... a sense of adventure!
Pictures: Nino Salkic and Staffan Widstrand