Biking is not just a good form of exercise, it is also very eco-friendly. If you are looking for a new journey with your beloved bicycle, you should consider this new bike trail called Trans Dinarica, which will traverse eight European countries—Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, and Macedonia.
Introducing the Trans Dinarica
Trans Dinarica is Inspired by the Via Dinarica trail, a combination of hiking and biking trails which includes a cycling route which covers 1,200 miles across the same eight countries. However, the Trans Dinarica is set to overcome infrastructural and accessibility challenges to let tourists use bicycle across the whole trail.
The idea to create the cross-border bike trail started in 2016. Tourism operators from Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina join hands to create a trail and thus promote tourism in the Western Balkans.
The Western Balkans is a multi-ethnic, geopolitical area in the Southeastern part of Europe. It is covered mostly by mountain ranges and evergreen vegetation which can be considered a paradise for nature lovers. However, is often overlooked by tourists due to limited accessibility. In fact, the Balkan ranges are considered as one of the least explored mountain ranges in Europe.
Presently, the Trans Dinarica connects the four countries. It begins in Soča Valley in Slovenia, crossing through Croatia’s Adriatic coast and ending at Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The organizers said that the cycling route will soon expend to span over Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, and Macedonia, encompassing all eight countries in the Western Balkans according to National Geographic.
Combining Adventure and Culture
Trans Dinarica aims to let tourists experience both adventure and culture. It combines many different landscapes such as mountain passes, ridgelines above the sea, alpine lakes and rivers, and stretches of asphalt roads in cities.
It also completely immerses tourists to the local culture by connecting them to national parks and UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Montenegrin Stonehenge. More importantly, it gives access to remote villages in the middle of the mountains, which still hold on many centuries-old ancient traditions.
The project will also give more opportunities to local business. More and more small guest houses which offer accommodations for tourists are opening in the mountain villages. There are also many “bed and breakfasts” that serves real authentic Balkan cuisine operated by locals.
With their maps and GPS devices, a group of cyclists recently set out from Sarajevo for a three-day journey for the expansion of the cycling trail. The exploration will span about 320 kilometers or 200 miles to cross southward to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro.