Home

10%

Discovering the Western Balkans

3 months motorbike trip through the Western Balkans

By BIKEPACKING.BE

December 30^th, 2022

Western Balkans overview

This page will give a global overview of all 2022 Balkan related stories. It's still a work in progress. I'll publish new stories regularly.

My story.

Somewhere in February 2022 I took the decision to take a break in my professional career, quit my role as a Development Director and face the consequences.

I ordered a Yamaha Tenere 700, passed my motorbike exams in April, meanwhile did a professional handover until end of May, and 2 weeks later I jumped on the motorbike, not knowing how long I could travel. A week and come home again? Or a month? Or longer?

I crossed the Balkans in 2014 during the Transcontinental race, a self-supported bicycle race from London (UK) to Istanbul (Turkey), and I definitely wanted to go back, so this my chance now. Albania was the furthest point I had in my mind.

Let's go!

Exit Belgium, crossing North of France

Left my house 2 weeks after my last professional day, finished some stuff at home, ordered the last motorbike and travel parts, loaded the bike and took off.

My first goal was to cross Germany from West to East on the Deutsche Alpenstraße. So I needed to cross the Belgian Ardennes and the North East of France, both quite remote areas. Weather was great, let's go!

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/exit-belgium-crossing-north-of-france

Schwarzwald & Bodensee (Germany)

Before jumping on the German Alpenstrasse, I had to cross Schwarzwald (will come back one day) and spent 3 days at the Bodensee.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/schwarzwald-bodensee-germany

German Alpenstrasse

The German Alpenstrasse is a 450 kilometers panoramic tour between Lake Constance and Königssee along the Bavarian Alps.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/1d88d8c6414b008c127e3917bf6d915d

Jennerbahn

Some hiking ...

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/hiking-jennerbahn-schoenau-am-koenigsee

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. It connects Bruck in the state of Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Törl at 2,428 m and Hochtor Pass at 2,504 m. The road is named after the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/grossglockner-high-alpine-road

Border hopping: Austria - Slovenia - Italy - Austria

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/border-hopping-austria-slovenia-italy-austria

Vrsic pass (Slovenia)

The Vršič Pass, with an elevation of 1,611 metres, is a high mountain pass across the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. It is the highest pass in Slovenia, as well as the highest in the Eastern Julian Alps. It connects Upper Carniola with the Trenta Valley in the Slovene Littoral.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/vrsicpass-slovenia

Bohinj Lake (Slovenia)

Stayed a couple of days at Bohinj Lake, great place, good atmosphere, great food.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/bohinj-lake-area-slovenia

Ljubljana (Slovenia)

Very nice capital! Traffic free most of the places, markets, small streets, lots of flowers.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/ljubljana-slovenia

Trieste (Italy)

Entered Croatia, stayed at the coast, quick visit to Trieste (Italy). Means crossing Slovenia again as well.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/trieste-italy

Istria county (Croatia)

Stayed for over a week in Istria area. Booked a room with grandma & grandpa, sharing his locally brewed schnaps ("straf spul"), visited the area, and went to see Charlotte de Witte in Pula, great concert!

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/istria-peninsula-croatia

Croatian coastline

Stayed a couple of days on the coast of Northern part of Croatia, some island-hopping on the motorbike, great views, dramatic clouds, excellent food, small cities like Zadar.

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/northern-croatian-coastline-island-hopping-zadar

Plitvici Lakes (Croatia)

One of the must-visits probably in Croatia, Plitvici lakes. Beautiful national park, but lots of tourists (including myself ;-) ).

Story: https://www.bikepacking.be/plitvice-lakes

Bihac, into Bosnia & Herzegovina

TODO

Banja Luka (Bosnia)

TODO

Scit Lake & TET Bosnia

TODO

Sarajevo (Bosnia)

TODO

Olympic Winter Games 1984 - Sarajevo (Bosnia)

TODO

Mostar (Bosnia)

TODO

Dubrovnik (Croatia)

TODO

Kotor Bay (Montenegro)

TODO

Lovcen & Mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic-Njegos (Montenegro)

TODO

Montenegro countryside

TODO

Bobotov Kuk (Montenegro)

Durmitor National Park, in the North of Montenegro, hosts Bobotov Kuk, with 2.523m, the highest point in this mountain range. I started the hike from the Sedlo Pass, approx. 12 kms. The views are amazing, the hike itself is not that difficult, about 6hours of hiking.