Self-Launched: Cycle the Islands and Highlands of Croatia

Fly into Split Airport (SPU) — well served by direct flights from the UK with easyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways. From the airport, take public bus line 37 to Kaštela (around £1.50, 20 minutes) or a taxi for around £10–12. Check into a budget hotel or guesthouse on the waterfront. Spend the afternoon walking the seafront, picking up supplies, and getting your bearings. If you haven't pre-hired a bike in Split, arrange collection for the next morning — see Day 2 notes.

🚌Bus line 37 from Split Airport to Kaštela ~£1.50, or taxi ~£10–12

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Kaštela — e.g. Rooms Kastel Stafilic or similar, from ~£25–35/night

• →Arrive at Split Airport (SPU) and take bus line 37 or taxi to Kaštela
• →Check into budget seafront accommodation in Kaštela
• →Explore the waterfront and take a dip in the Adriatic
• →Visit a local supermarket to stock up on snacks and cycling essentials
• →Plan your ferry timings for the week using Jadrolinija (jadrolinija.hr)

Pick up your pre-booked hybrid bike from a Split or Trogir bike rental shop (e.g. Bikerent Split or Firebike, from ~£15–20/day). Transfer yourself to Trogir (bus from Kaštela, ~£1.50) and begin today's ~34-mile ride along stretches of the EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean cycling route. The road hugs rugged coastline past olive groves and open plains. Look out for family-run olive oil estates — Trogir's hinterland has several where you can stop for an informal tasting. Arrive in Šibenik in the late afternoon and explore the honey-hued old town, Katedrala sv. Jakova (St James Cathedral, UNESCO-listed, entry ~£5), and the harbour.

🚌Bus Kaštela to Trogir ~£1.50; cycle Trogir to Šibenik ~34 miles on EuroVelo 8

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Šibenik — e.g. Hostel Mare or Hotel Jadran, from ~£30–40/night

• →Collect hire bike in Trogir or Kaštela (~£15–20/day from Bikerent Split or similar)
• →Cycle EuroVelo 8 from Trogir to Šibenik (~34 miles, ~5hrs riding)
• →Stop at a family olive oil estate along the route for a tasting
• →Visit St James Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Šibenik, entry ~£5
• →Evening stroll through Šibenik old town and harbour cafes

Today's ~34-mile ride takes you out of Šibenik, over the impressive Šibenski Bridge, and along quiet backroads with the Adriatic glittering to your right. You'll pass Vransko Lake — Croatia's largest natural lake and a protected nature park. Entry to the park area is free for cyclists on the road; if you want to visit the birdwatching tower inside the park, there's a small fee (~£3). Pack a picnic lunch from a supermarket in Šibenik before you leave — there are limited shops on this stretch. Roll into Biograd na Moru in the late afternoon for a sunset swim and a drink at the marina.

🚌Self-guided cycle ~34 miles from Šibenik to Biograd na Moru

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Biograd na Moru — e.g. Hotel Meduza or similar, from ~£30–40/night

• →Cycle Šibenik to Biograd na Moru via Šibenski Bridge (~34 miles, ~5hrs)
• →Ride along gravel tracks beside Vransko Lake Nature Park
• →Birdwatching: look for herons, cormorants, and seasonal migrants
• →Picnic lunch by the lake (pack supplies from Šibenik before leaving)
• →Sunset swim and harbour drinks in Biograd na Moru

Take the morning Jadrolinija ferry from Biograd to the island of Pašman (~£3, 20 minutes). Cycle across Pašman (~10 miles) through pine forest and olive groves, then cross the bridge to Ugljan for more easy coastal riding with sweeping Adriatic views. At Preko on Ugljan, board the short Jadrolinija ferry to Zadar (~£2, 15 minutes). Arrive in Zadar with the afternoon free — it's one of Croatia's best cities. Walk the Roman Forum, visit the extraordinary Sea Organ (free), and catch Alfred Hitchcock's famous sunset from the waterfront. Book accommodation in or near the old town in advance as Zadar fills up in summer.

🚌Jadrolinija ferry Biograd–Pašman ~£3; cycle Pašman and Ugljan ~20 miles total; ferry Preko–Zadar ~£2

🛏Hostel or budget hotel in or near Zadar old town — e.g. Hostel Forum Zadar or similar, from ~£25–35/night

• →Morning Jadrolinija ferry Biograd to Pašman (~£3)
• →Cycle across Pašman Island through pine forests (~10 miles)
• →Cross the Pašman–Ugljan bridge and cycle Ugljan's coastal roads
• →Ferry from Preko (Ugljan) to Zadar (~£2, 15 mins)
• →Visit Zadar's Roman Forum and medieval churches (free–£5)
• →Experience the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation at sunset (free)
• →Explore Zadar old town — dinner at a konoba in the lanes

Take a bus or short transfer from Zadar to the Pag Bridge (regular departures, ~£5–7, 45 minutes) and begin your ride across one of the Adriatic's most otherworldly islands. Pag's northern landscape is starkly beautiful — bare limestone karst that looks almost lunar, scored by the fierce Bura wind. Cycle south through lush valleys and the town of Pag itself, where you can stop to buy Paški sir (Pag cheese) from a local shop or direct from a producer (~£3–5 for a good wedge). Continue past the island's ancient salt pans — still active after 1,000 years — and finish in Novalja on the island's northern coast (~53 miles total, the longest day). Novalja has good budget accommodation and a lively waterfront.

🚌Bus Zadar to Pag Bridge ~£5–7; self-guided cycle across Pag ~53 miles

🛏Budget guesthouse or apartment in Novalja — e.g. Apartments Novalja or similar, from ~£25–35/night

• →Bus from Zadar to Pag Bridge (~£5–7, 45 mins)
• →Cycle across Pag Island from south to north (~53 miles, ~7hrs)
• →Buy and taste authentic Paški sir (Pag cheese) from a local producer
• →Visit the 1,000-year-old salt pans near Pag town
• →Explore hidden coves along the eastern coast for a swim
• →Arrive in Novalja for dinner and evening on the waterfront

This is the most demanding day — embrace it. Take the Jadrolinija ferry from Žigljen (near Novalja) to Prizna on the mainland (~£5, 20 minutes). From Prizna, the road climbs steadily into the Velebit Mountains — an 11-mile continuous climb gaining roughly 2,900 feet. Average gradient is around 5%, steady but relentless. There's no support vehicle, so go at your own pace, carry plenty of water, and enjoy the increasingly dramatic coastal views behind you. After a flat 8-mile mountain road section to Karlobag, the route winds up into Velebit National Park (entry included with cycling through). Descend onto the vast Lika plateau and follow peaceful forest roads into Gospić. If you feel genuinely unable to complete the climb, local taxi vans from Prizna can be arranged (~£15–20 to the top).

🚌Jadrolinija ferry Žigljen–Prizna ~£5; self-guided cycle ~39 miles with 4,700ft of climbing

🛏Budget hotel in Gospić — e.g. Hotel Stara Lika or similar guesthouse, from ~£30–40/night

• →Ferry Žigljen (Pag) to Prizna ~£5, 20 minutes (Jadrolinija)
• →Tackle the 11-mile, 2,900ft climb from Prizna into the Velebit Mountains
• →Ride through Velebit National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• →Enjoy sweeping Adriatic and plateau views from the summit
• →Descend onto the Lika plateau and cycle forest roads to Gospić (~39 miles total)

The finale. From the Lika plateau, cycle south through flat farmland and quiet country roads (~53 miles, ~7hrs). A short climb leads to one of the trip's most jaw-dropping payoffs: a sweeping 10-mile descent into the Zrmanja River Canyon — limestone cliffs towering above, the river a vivid emerald below. This canyon was used as a location in the 1960s Yugoslav-German Winnetou films, and it still feels cinematic. Roll into the small riverside town of Obrovac for your final night. Have dinner at one of the simple restaurants by the river and raise a glass to a week of serious cycling.

🚌Self-guided cycle ~53 miles from Gospić to Obrovac via Zrmanja Canyon

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Obrovac — e.g. Hotel Kanjon Zrmanje or similar, from ~£30–40/night

• →Cycle from Gospić across the Lika plateau (~53 miles, ~7hrs)
• →Dramatic 10-mile descent into the Zrmanja River Canyon
• →Ride between towering limestone cliffs above the emerald Zrmanja River
• →Arrive in Obrovac — explore the small riverside town
• →Final night dinner at a local konoba by the river

Return your hire bike (arrange drop-off in advance with your rental company — some allow one-way returns for a fee, or you can pack it on the bus). Take a bus from Obrovac toward Zadar, then an onward connection to Split (~2.5–3hrs total, ~£10–14). Alternatively, book a shared transfer or private taxi from Obrovac to Split Airport (~£35–50 shared). Arrive at Split Airport with time to spare for your flight home. If your flight is late afternoon or evening, leave your bags at the airport and spend a few hours in Split — the Diocletian's Palace old town is 20 minutes by bus from the airport and completely free to walk around.

🚌Bus Obrovac–Zadar–Split ~£10–14; or shared taxi/transfer ~£35–50

🛏No accommodation needed — depart today

• →Return hire bike (arrange one-way drop-off with rental company in advance)
• →Bus from Obrovac to Zadar then onward to Split (~£10–14, ~3hrs)
• →Optional: explore Split's Diocletian's Palace old town before your flight (free)
• →Depart from Split Airport (SPU)