THE EuroVelo The cycle network – a winding tangle of paths stretching from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea – opened in 2001 and launched its 16th route this year. These routes crisscross the continent, offering travelers an easy way to enjoy cross-border tourism, experience holiday adventures and fully immerse themselves in the vast, complex and ever-changing European landscape.
The five routes that cross the Balkan Peninsula, in Europe southeast, are as spectacular and culturally illuminating as any other in the EuroVelo network. Here’s how to explore the best of the Balkans, on two wheels, at human speed, with easy-to-follow signposts along the way.
EuroVelo in the Balkans
The world is just beginning to discover the authentic, textured, raw and untouched beauty of this region wedged between the Alps and the Adriatic, Mediterranean, Ionian, Aegean and Black seas. Bike paths wind along isolated country roads, seemingly forgotten ribbons of asphalt. They follow the contours of the rivers. They take switchbacks and weave through vineyards, fruit tree orchards and vast fields of sunflowers.
The five Balkan EuroVelo routes touch almost all countries in the geographical region: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. Unique trails reflect the peninsula by offering exceptional diversity in a relatively small area. Cyclists ride along the sea, through the mountains and along some of Europe’s most important rivers. Along the way, you will discover villages and traditions lost in time and nestled in hills where the Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, Venetians and Austro-Hungarians once roamed.
EuroVelo 6: Atlantic–Black Sea
THE EV6 is perhaps the route that many associate with the EuroVelo network. It stretches across the continent and 10 countries, from west to east, from the Atlantic coast of France has Romania Black Sea. In between, it connects Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria. Although it stretches over 4,400 km and requires an investment of time, it is relatively flat and follows major rivers including the Loire, Rhine and Danube.
The route enters the Balkans from Hungary and falls into Croatia. From there it turns left and follows roads, paths and trails taking riders over the tops of levees and through isolated farmland. Although camping is possible, cheap pensions – which offer the opportunity to meet locals and eat good meals – are widespread in roadside villages and sometimes in towns.
Major Balkan stops along this section of the route include Osijek, Croatia; BelgradeSerbia; Cunning, Bulgaria; And ConstantaRomania.
EuroVelo 8: Mediterranean Route
Kissing the coasts from Cyprus has Cadizthe sea EV8 stretches over 7,500 km, crosses 12 countries and passes 23 UNESCO sites. For those who do not have the time or inclination to travel this entire stretch, the countries located in the geographic region of the Balkan Peninsula offer a very doable, but nonetheless long, route. The cyclist will visit, from north to south, SloveniaCroatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, AlbaniaAnd Greece.
Major Balkan stops along this section of the route include Rijeka, Zadar And Dubrovnik in Croatia; KotorMontenegro; Tirana, Albania; And AthensGreece.
EuroVelo 9: Baltic-Adriatic
Stretching 2,270 km between the Baltic Sea and the Adriatic Sea, the EV9 is short compared to others on this list. However, there is a beauty in its density as the route winds through central and eastern Europe. Stretching from north to south, the trail takes cyclists through PolandTHE Czech Republic, AustriaSlovenia, Italy and Croatia.
The tour enters the Balkans in Slovenia. After crossing the country diagonally passing through the capital Ljubljana and the foothills of Kamnik-Savinja, Julianand the Dinarica Alps, the route makes a brief visit to the Trieste, Italy. Then the path descends along the Adriatic Sea and the west coast of Croatia. Istrian Peninsula.
Major Balkan stops along this section of the route include Maribor, Slovenia; And Porec And PulaCroatia.
EuroVelo 11: Eastern Europe Route
THE EV11 the road passes just below the arctic circle Norway to Athens. Spanning almost 7,000 km of Europe, the route connects 11 countries and six capitals.
The EuroVelo 11 arrives in the Balkans when it crosses the border between Hungary and Serbia. From here the trail extends the entire length of North Macedonia and Greece. And although much of the drive to the Balkans is bucolic and dense with old-world village life, three of the route’s six capitals are visited during this final stretch: Belgrade, Serbia; Skopje, North Macedonia; and Athens, Greece.
EuroVelo 13: Iron Curtain Trail
THE EV13 is the longest route in the EuroVelo portfolio: it stretches for around 10,400 km, crosses 20 countries, touches three seas and comes into contact with 14 UNESCO sites. It combines flat roads and mountains, main rivers, vineyards, villages and capitals as it descends from the Arctic Circle in Norway to the Black Sea in Türkiye.
As its name suggests, this trail is more than just a path between two points. The ride takes riders through the history of 20th-century Europe, when the continent was divided for nearly five decades by political ideologies. According to the network, EuroVelo 13 is a “living history lesson but also a welcome reminder of the peace and reconciliation that followed the fall of the curtain”.
The route enters the Balkans while following the Hungarian border and going back and forth with Slovenia, Croatia, then Serbia. In total, eight countries on the Balkan Peninsula are included in EV13, including Romania, BulgariaNorth Macedonia, Greece and Turkey.