The most northern part of the Croatian Adriatic has numerous renovated bicycle paths of all levels of difficulty. These paths will take you to the highest peaks of the Dinaric Alps, alongside the romantic bays of the green islands of the Kvarner region, through the dense forests of Gorski Kotar as well as through historical towns and seaside resorts along the Adriatic coast.

Map

The Učka nature park bicycle path

There are 8 bicycle paths at the Učka nature park that have been completely renovated with route signs and are marked on a bicycle map that can be obtained upon entering the protected area of the park. The levels of difficulty include easy, medium and difficult. All 8 paths head in different directions and are of diverse length and will surely provide excitement for cycling lovers.

The only easy path is 12 kilometers long, takes one hour and twenty minutes to complete and has a difference in altitude of only 50 meters.

Three medium difficulty bicycle paths will attract those people who enjoy riding on pure macadam, in other words, those who swear by great climbs, because one of the paths, which is also the only medium difficulty path that is completely paved (all 14 kilometers), reaches the very top of Učka and a chalet in which after successfully mastering a difference in altitude of 465 meters you have definitely earned the right to relax and enjoy a decent meal.

For those that only prefer a challenging ride and wish to test their limits, the Učka nature park offers 3 bicycle paths categorized as "very difficult." The shortest of the three is 25 km long and the longest is more than 50 km long so each will take several hours to climb. The most difficult path is 52 km long and during the 4.5 hours it takes to complete, cyclists master a difference in altitude of 1019 meters and the Bodaj bend, while the starting and finishing point of the path is in the town of Lovran situated at 0 meters above sea level, known for its Austro-Hungarian villas and private beaches.

For more information: the Učka nature park

Cycling through old towns of the Opatija Riviera

For those bicycle lovers who while traveling love taking in the sights of old towns and cultural monuments, the bicycle path known as "Through the old towns of the Opatija Riviera" offers an itinerary that includes a 40 km medium difficulty path that takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The starting point of the path is the old town of Kastav, while the ride itself encompasses a visit to Matulji, Veprinac, Ičići, Ika, Lovran , Medveja, Mošćenička Draga, Mošćenice and Brseč where the route ends.

The cycling challenge of the Crikvenica Riviera

In case the previous itinerary wasn't enough, the tame Crikvenica Riviera offers a challenge categorized as extremely difficult. The 45 km long path and circular itinerary starts and finishes in the beautiful town of Crikvenica and invites you to climb three and a half hours up to a plateau 780 m high and from there provides a spectacular view of the island of Krk and other neighboring islands and then descends down through pine and beech forests alongside Lake Tribalj, through the outback of Crikvenica and the surrounding area.

The Lošinj bicycle path

In the company of a good dolphin that inhabits the waters of the Lošinj local waters and the health benefits of the therapeutic climate of Lošinj which accounts for Lošinj's 100 year-old tourist tradition, this area reveals itself as a destination for mountain bikes as well. Namely, a 30 km long medium difficulty path is precisely that type of sports location and requires two and a half hours to complete. The starting point is on the Mali Lošinj quayside and from there travels through bays named after their beauty, Gold, Silver, Cikat and Sunny. The journey continues as it climbs on macadam to a point that is 220 meters high and offers a view of Ilovik also known as Flower Island. From here, it's downward back to the quayside starting point.

The pastures of Krk from the seat of a bicycle

Do you wish to familiarize yourself with the green side of an island known as "Golden Island while at the same time enjoy a relaxing bicycle ride then this is the path for You because even if you are a beginner you will be able to master all 34 kilometers without any problems. The starting point is the town of Krk where you take the road towards Punta and head to Sveti Donat, towards Baška and then head in the direction of Šila and Vrbnik. The path then takes alternate roads through fields and pastures at the foot of the village of Garica after which one only has to follow the signs that lead back to the town of Krk.

More information: the Primorsko-Goranska County Tourist Association

Gorski kotar on two wheels

The greenest part of the Gorski kotar region is the Risnjak National Park with the Golubinjak Park Forest, an area that has several bicycle paths.
There is a large-scale middle difficulty bicycle path that is 85 kilometers long and ascends 860 meters. The tour lasts more than 5 hours and encompasses the following route: park forest Golubinjak….Mrzle Vodice - Crni Lug - Gerovo - Mali Lug - Zamost - dolina Kupe - Brod na Kupi - Delnice - Golubinjak. One part of the path enters the territory of the neighboring country of Slovenia and after 10 kilometers continues on Croatian territory allowing riders to master a difference in altitude of over 600 meters.