Kvarner Region

The region is divided into eight tourist parts which offer varied possibilities for an active holiday, a diverse configuration of terrain and bases for cycling on marked and unmarked cycling routes with a complete accompanying hospitality, excursion, accommodation and service offer, and there is also public transport: the Zagreb – Karlovac – Delnice – Rijeka railway and boats from Rijeka to the Kvarner islands. The specific feature of this region, as the link between continental and coastal Croatia, is nevertheless the network of great mountain bike terrains and routes for all fans of primeval nature, escarpments, vantage points and off-roading.

There are two exceptionally interesting cycling transversals: The Gorski Kotar cycling transversal and the Rijeka Ring cycling transversal. The first one links all the natural, cultural and historical attractions of Gorski Kotar. It leads down the existing forest and local roads of less traffic, amongst which are three historical roads featuring architectural heritage of the 18^th and 19^th centuries: the Carolina, Josephina and Louisiana. The transversal consists of seven stages of 28 to 43 km per day or a total of 260 km, and together with another nine connections makes up more than 400 km and a total of 5,000 metres in ascents and descents. It is a unique two-wheel pleasure through the dense greenery, with the possibility of planning a multi-day activity holiday in Gorski Kotar, principally for fans of nature and mountain biking.

The other one, the Rijeka Ring cycling transversal down its entire 63 km length leads along the attractions and features of as many as eight towns and municipalities of the Rijeka Ring. Those more physically able can cross it by bike in a single day, but for the full experience a multi-day stay is recommended considering that on this transversal there are more than 100 kilometres of links which can be combined in various ways. The attractive configuration of the terrain and the altitude difference, from sea level to the mountain passes and peaks with their unique views of the 2020 European Capital of Culture, the city of Rijeka and the Rijeka Bay, makes this cycling transversal a full experience to remember and different in comparison with everything that can be seen along the Primorje-Gorski Kotar region.

On the island of Lošinj in April 2018 there will also be the UCI MTB Downhill World Cup 2018, an MTB downhill race from the hill of Sv. Ivan towards Veli Lošinj.

There are two protected regions of nature as though made for a stay in primeval nature: The Risnjak National Park near Delnice and Učka Nature Park above Opatija. Mountain bikes can be hired in both parks, and from the steep mountain of Učka there are the most beautiful views of Kvarner and the islands. There are also electric mountain bikes for unforgettable moments riding through the eight marked trails of various categories with a total length of 180 km.

The city of Rijeka has been chosen as a 2020 European Capital of Culture, and one of the interesting cultural programmes which it offers is the Routes of the Frankopans with the rich heritage of this Croatian aristocratic family. The route leads to 17 mediaeval towns and three sacral complexes linked together from Krk over Vinodol to Gorski Kotar. To get to know this historical story completely it is best to start from the visitor centre in the castle at Kraljevica.

And when it comes to Kraljevica, the sugar at the end of the cycling exploration of this region are the cycling routes of the Crikvenica Riviera, Novi Vinodolski and its attractive hinterland, Vinodol. There are about 300 km of various cycling routes on offer, some of which are suitable for recreational cyclists, whilst others are more demanding and present a challenge and a unique experience for top athletes and fans of mountain biking.

Line them up and choose the one you like the most! Ride safely and with great joy because it’s all around you!

Gorski Kotar cycling Transversal
Rijeka Ring cycling transversal
Cycling routes of Učka Nature Park
Risnjak National Park
Lokvarka Cave
Cycling routes of the Kvarner region, County Tourism Board
Rijeka European Capital of Culture 2020
Routes of the Frankopans cultural route and the most beautiful castles of this Croatian aristocratic family
4 Islands MTB Stage Race
UCI MTB Downhill World Cup Lošinj 2018
Destination of Gorski kotar
Cycling routes of Fužine
Cycling routes of Vrbovsko
Cycling routes of Skrad
Cycling routes of Čabar
Cycling routes of Mrkopalj
Cycling routes of Ravna Gora
Cycling routes of Lokve
Cycling routes of Viškovo
Cycling routes of Matulji
Cycling routes of Platak and Čavle
Cycling routes of the Crikvenica Riviera