An 18-day self-guided motorcycle tour from the Alps to the Adriatic on dates you choose. Hotels, Eurotunnel and GPS routes are all arranged, so you just ride.
An 18-day self-guided motorcycle tour from the Alps to the Adriatic on dates you choose. Hotels, Eurotunnel and GPS routes are all arranged, so you just ride.
This self-guided Croatia and Balkans motorcycle tour packs a bit of everything into 18 days: the high Alpine scenery of Austria’s Grossglockner, the Italian Dolomites, the Dalmatian coast road along the Adriatic, and the history and culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina. You choose the dates, we plan the route and book every hotel and crossing, and you ride it at your own pace with no group to keep up with.
Everything is paid for in advance, so there are no vouchers to juggle and nothing to sort out on the road. Before you leave, we email GPS files for every day and post you a printed daily guide that matches them, complete with coffee stops, lunch suggestions and the sights worth stopping for. With two-night stops in Austria, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Plitvice Lakes and Bled, there’s plenty of time off the bike to explore.
How Your Self-Guided Tour Works
1
Choose your dates Pick any start date between June and September and complete the booking form.
2
We book everything Your Eurotunnel crossing and all 17 nights of hotels are booked and paid for in advance.
3
Receive your tour pack GPS files are emailed and your printed daily guide and packing list are posted before departure.
4
Ride with backup Call us or message your tour WhatsApp group if you need advice while you’re away.
TOUR DATES
Choose Your Own Dates – June to September
Tours start from June, when the weather in Austria is more settled and the high Alpine passes are reliably open. Tell us your preferred start date on the booking form and we’ll confirm availability and book your hotels and crossing.
Your tour starts as you roll off the Eurotunnel and cross France to your first night in the Champagne region. From there you ride into Germany and onto your first highlight road, the B500 through the Black Forest. Famous with riders all over Europe for its smooth tarmac and sweeping bends, it sets the tone for the rest of the tour.
The Amazing Grossglockner
You then cross Bavaria into Austria for your first two-night stop, close to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Day four is yours: ride the Grossglockner with its glorious mountain scenery, epic hairpins and smooth tarmac, head to the Eagle’s Nest, or simply take a day off the bike.
From Austria you cross briefly into Italy and down into Slovenia for a night in Postojna. Next morning there’s the option to visit the Postojna Caves and the dramatic Predjama Castle, built into a cliff face, before you head south into Croatia for your first sight of the Adriatic. The route passes the islands of the northern Croatian archipelago on the way to Zadar, said to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia.
Leaving Zadar, you follow the Dalmatian Coast with the bright blue Adriatic on your right and hundreds of islands offshore. Ride on past Split to Dubrovnik for two nights. Your day off gives you time to explore the walled Old Town, with its mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, or walk the city walls for the views out to sea.
Turning inland, you cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina and stop at the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar on your way to Sarajevo. Host of the 1984 Winter Olympics, besieged for 1,425 days during the 1990s and the site of the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Sarajevo is a fascinating city, and two nights give you time to explore its history.
The Dalmatian Coastline
After your day in Sarajevo, you ride through the Bosnian countryside and back into Croatia for two nights at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of terraced lakes and waterfalls that’s well worth a full day on foot.
Next you return to Slovenia and the lakeside town of Bled for two more nights. Ride the Triglav National Park and the partly cobbled Vršič Pass, Slovenia’s highest road, or stay by the lake, hire a rowing boat and visit the church on Bled’s island.
Leaving Slovenia, you ride through the Italian and Austrian Tyrol over the Timmelsjoch, with the Alps and Dolomites all around you. The next few days take you back through the Black Forest to the Vosges Mountains in France, and finally to the Champagne region for your last night before the tunnel home.
Dubrovnik Old Town
Mostar Bridge
Predjama Castle
Plitvice Lakes
Tour Highlights Summary
Seven Countries: France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina Iconic Roads: B500 Black Forest, Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Vršič Pass, Timmelsjoch, Adriatic Coast Road Mountain Highlights: Grossglockner (2,504m), Timmelsjoch (2,509m), Vršič Pass (1,611m), Alps and Dolomites UNESCO Sites: Plitvice Lakes, Dubrovnik Old Town, Mostar Old Bridge Cultural Cities: Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Mostar, Zadar, Bled Two-Night Stops: Austria, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Plitvice Lakes, Lake Bled Flexibility: Choose your own dates, ride at your own pace, stop wherever you like Perfect For: Experienced independent riders, couples and small groups of friends looking for a big European adventure
Guided or Self-Guided?
Prefer to ride with a tour leader, enjoy group evening meals and have someone else handle the navigation and border crossings? The same route is also available as a guided Croatia and Balkans motorcycle tour on set dates. Choose self-guided if you’d rather pick your own dates and travel independently.
Choose your dates and ride this unforgettable 18-day self-guided Croatia and Balkans motorcycle tour.
TOUR MAP / ITINERARY
18-Day Self-Guided Croatia & Balkans Motorcycle Tour Itinerary
From the Champagne region to the Adriatic and back, this self-guided tour crosses seven countries in 18 days, with two-night stops in Austria, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Plitvice Lakes and Bled. Every day has its own GPS file and a matching page in your printed daily guide, with coffee stops, lunch suggestions and the sights worth stopping for.
Day 1: UK to Champagne via Eurotunnel & Circuit de Reims-Gueux
Roll off the Eurotunnel and head across the open French countryside. Your route passes the historic Circuit de Reims-Gueux, where the old pit buildings still line the road, before you reach your hotel in the Champagne region.
Distance: 230 miles (370 km)
Highlights: Eurotunnel crossing, Circuit de Reims-Gueux, Champagne region
Day 2: Champagne to the Black Forest via the Northern Vosges
Ride through the Lorraine National Park, stop for an afternoon coffee in the Northern Vosges, then cross the Rhine into Germany to your hotel on the edge of the Black Forest.
Distance: 220 miles (355 km)
Highlights: Lorraine National Park, Northern Vosges, Rhine crossing, Black Forest
Day 3: The B500 to the Austrian Alps
Start the day with the sweeping bends and immaculate tarmac of the B500 Schwarzwaldhochstraße, then ride across Bavaria into Austria to your hotel in an Alpine ski resort for two nights.
Distance: 320 miles (515 km)
Highlights: B500 Black Forest High Road, Bavaria, Austrian Alps, two-night stop
Day 4: Free Day – Grossglockner or Eagle’s Nest Ride-Out
Choose your ride-out today. Take on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, climbing to 2,504m with epic hairpins and glacier views, or ride to the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) above Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s former mountain retreat, with its panoramic views over the Bavarian Alps. Or simply take the day off the bike.
Distance: 0 miles (rest day) or up to 130 miles (210 km) ride-out
Highlights: Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Eagle’s Nest, Bavarian Alps
Day 5: Grossglockner to Slovenia via Italy
If you didn’t ride it yesterday, today’s route takes you over the Grossglockner on your way south. Cross briefly into Italy and ride into Slovenia in the shadow of Mount Kanin, on to your overnight stop in Postojna.
Distance: 220 miles (355 km)
Highlights: Grossglockner, Italian Alps, Mount Kanin, Slovenia
Day 6: Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle to Zadar
Start with a visit to the Postojna Caves and the remarkable Predjama Castle, built into a cliff face. Then ride south into Croatia for your first views of the Adriatic, passing the islands of the northern Croatian archipelago on your way to Zadar.
Distance: 175 miles (280 km)
Highlights: Postojna Caves, Predjama Castle, first Adriatic views, Zadar
Day 7: The Dalmatian Coast to Dubrovnik
Today is one of the great coastal rides of Europe. Follow the Dalmatian Coast with the Adriatic on your right and hundreds of islands offshore, past Split and on to Dubrovnik for two nights.
A day off the bike to explore Dubrovnik. Walk the city walls, wander the marble streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, or take a boat out to the nearby islands.
Distance: 0 miles
Highlights: Dubrovnik Old Town, city walls, Adriatic views
Day 9: Dubrovnik to Sarajevo via Mostar
Leave the Adriatic behind and cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stop at the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar before riding on to the capital, Sarajevo, for two nights.
Distance: 170 miles (275 km)
Highlights: Bosnia and Herzegovina border, Mostar Old Bridge, Sarajevo, two-night stop
Day 10: Rest Day – Sarajevo
A day to explore one of Europe’s most fascinating cities. See the spot where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, explore the Baščaršija old bazaar, and learn about the city’s 1,425-day siege at the Tunnel of Hope museum.
Distance: 0 miles
Highlights: Latin Bridge, Baščaršija bazaar, Tunnel of Hope, 1984 Winter Olympics history
Day 11: Sarajevo to Plitvice Lakes
Ride west across the Bosnian countryside and cross back into Croatia late in the day for two nights at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Distance: 210 miles (340 km)
Highlights: Bosnian countryside, return to Croatia, Plitvice Lakes, two-night stop
Day 12: Rest Day – Plitvice Lakes National Park
A full day off the bike to explore Plitvice Lakes, with its terraced turquoise lakes, waterfalls and wooden walkways. Allow plenty of time, as the park is best explored on foot.
Day 13: Plitvice to Lake Bled via Risnjak National Park
Leave Croatia through Risnjak National Park, home to brown bear, wolf and lynx, and ride back into Slovenia for your final two-night stop in the lakeside town of Bled.
Distance: 190 miles (305 km)
Highlights: Risnjak National Park, Slovenia, Lake Bled, two-night stop
Day 14: Free Day – Triglav National Park & Vršič Pass Ride-Out
Ride out through the Triglav National Park and over the partly cobbled Vršič Pass, Slovenia’s highest road pass at 1,611m. Or stay by Lake Bled, hire a rowing boat and visit the church on the island. The choice is yours.
Distance: 0 miles (rest day) or up to 140 miles (225 km) ride-out
Highlights: Triglav National Park, Vršič Pass (1,611m), Lake Bled
Day 15: Slovenia to the Austrian Tirol via the Timmelsjoch
Head through the Südtirol region of Italy, with the Dolomites around you, then climb the Timmelsjoch Pass (2,509m) back into the Austrian Tirol. Time permitting, finish the day at the TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum near the summit.
Distance: 220 miles (355 km)
Highlights: Südtirol, Dolomites, Timmelsjoch Pass, TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum
Return Eurotunnel Crossing: Return trip Folkestone-Calais on Eurotunnel (if the train and/or Folkestone isn’t convenient for you, please get in touch as we can arrange other crossings).
17 Nights Accommodation: Premium motorcycle-friendly hotels throughout the Tour
Daily Breakfast: Full breakfast each morning at all hotels to fuel your riding day
Motorcycle Parking: Some hotels charge for parking but this is included in your package
Hotel Leisure Facilities: Full access to swimming pools, spas, and fitness facilities at all hotels
Detailed Route Maps: Comprehensive route plans covering all Alpine passes and scenic roads
GPS Navigation Files: Pre-loaded GPS routes compatible with Garmin, TomTom, and smartphone apps
Daily Itinerary Guide: Detailed daily plans with sightseeing highlights, coffee stops, and lunch recommendations
What’s Not Included in Your Motorcycle Tour
Motorcycle Fuel Costs:
Road Tolls & Pass Charges:
Attraction Entry Fees:
Meals & Drinks not specified as included:
Travel Insurance & Breakdown Cover: Comprehensive motorcycle travel insurance including breakdown recovery and UK repatriation is mandatory but not included. We strongly recommend European breakdown cover from providers like RAC, AA, or specialist motorcycle insurers.
Self-Guided Croatia & Balkans Motorcycle Tour – Frequently Asked Questions
How does a self-guided motorcycle tour work?
You choose your dates and we do the planning. We book and pay for your Eurotunnel crossing and all 17 nights of hotels in advance, so there are no vouchers to carry and nothing to arrange on the road. Before you leave, we email your GPS route files for every day, and a printed daily guide that matches them is posted to you, which includes a suggested packing list. Then you ride the route at your own pace, stopping wherever you like.
Why do tours start from June?
This route crosses some of the highest passes in the Alps, including the Grossglockner and the Timmelsjoch at over 2,500m. From June the weather in Austria is more settled and the high passes are reliably open, so you can start the tour on any date from June to September. Add your preferred start date to the booking form and we’ll confirm availability and book your hotels and crossing. Booking early gives the best chance of getting your preferred dates, especially in July and August.
What standard are the hotels?
You’ll stay in the same carefully selected 4 and 5 star hotels used on our guided tours, all chosen for their comfort, location and secure motorcycle parking. Breakfast is included every morning, and hotel parking is included throughout the tour.
What’s in the tour pack?
Your tour pack is the same one our guided riders receive. It includes GPS files for each day’s route, a printed daily guide that corresponds to those files with coffee stops, lunch suggestions and sights along the way, and a suggested packing list. It’s sent to you before departure so you have time to load the routes and get familiar with them.
Do I need to be good with a sat nav?
You’ll need to be comfortable loading routes and following them. The GPS files work with Garmin and TomTom devices and with smartphone navigation apps. If you’re new to route files, our sat nav set up guide walks you through the process, and we’re happy to help before you leave. The daily guide also describes each day’s route, so you’re never relying on the screen alone.
What happens if I have a problem while I’m away?
You can call us, and every tour has its own WhatsApp group so you can get advice quickly while you’re on the road. We don’t run a dedicated 24-hour helpline, so you must have your own European breakdown cover and motorcycle travel insurance. This is a requirement of our terms and conditions, and our insurance and breakdown guide explains what to look for.
Do I need a Green Card or border insurance for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No. Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the countries, like Norway and Switzerland, where UK riders no longer need an insurance Green Card, and it’s no longer possible or necessary to buy insurance at the border. All UK motorcycle policies automatically provide the minimum legal cover required there. It’s still worth checking with your insurer that your full level of cover applies abroad, and that your breakdown policy includes Bosnia and Herzegovina. Carry your passport, driving licence, insurance documents and V5C logbook, as you’ll cross the Bosnian border on the way in and out.
What’s the difference between this and the guided tour?
The route and hotels are the same, but on the guided Croatia and Balkans tour you ride with a tour leader on set dates and four evening meals are included. The self-guided tour costs less, lets you pick your own dates and gives you complete freedom over when you set off.
Are meals included?
Breakfast is included every morning at all hotels. Lunches and evening meals aren’t included on the self-guided tour, which leaves you free to eat wherever you like. Your daily guide includes lunch suggestions along each day’s route.
How much riding is there each day?
Most riding days are between 170 and 230 miles, with two longer days: around 320 miles over the B500 and across Bavaria to the Austrian Alps on day 3, and 265 miles from the Tirol to the Vosges on day 16. With rest days in Dubrovnik, Sarajevo and Plitvice Lakes, and two free days in Austria and Bled, you’ll have plenty of time off the bike to explore and recharge. And because it’s self-guided, you can set off as early or as late as you like and take as many breaks as you want along the way.
Can I ride the tour as a couple or with friends?
Yes. The self-guided format suits couples and small groups of friends particularly well, as you can set your own pace and plans. We offer rider and pillion pricing, and pricing for two riders on separate bikes sharing a room. If you’re planning a larger group, get in touch and we’ll check availability.
Can I do the tour as a solo rider?
Absolutely. You can choose a single room or a twin room option. Riding solo on a self-guided tour means you set the pace entirely, and the WhatsApp group means help and advice are only a message away.
What type of motorcycle do I need?
Any reliable, well-maintained motorcycle is suitable. We generally suggest 500cc or above for a tour of this length. Your bike should be roadworthy, recently serviced and fitted with luggage for nearly three weeks away, and your tyres need enough tread for over 3,000 miles. Our bike preparation guide covers tyres, brakes, chain and fluid checks before departure.
Can I use a different crossing?
Yes. If you’d prefer a ferry or a different crossing, tell us in the comments section of the booking form and start the tour from the first night’s hotel. We’ll deduct the Eurotunnel cost from your booking.
More Questions About Self-Guided Touring in the Balkans
What’s the weather like? Hot on the Dalmatian Coast in summer, cooler and changeable on the Alpine passes, so pack vented kit, waterproofs and warm layers.
Is motorcycle parking included? Yes, hotel parking is included.
Do I need to carry hotel vouchers? No. Everything is booked and paid for in advance.
Do I have to ride the free-day ride-outs? No. Days 4 and 14 are completely optional.
Are there toll charges? Yes. The Grossglockner and Timmelsjoch both have tolls, which aren’t included in the tour price.
What currency do I need? Euros for every country except Bosnia and Herzegovina, which uses the Convertible Mark. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for coffee stops.
Will I have phone signal? Generally yes, but check your mobile roaming charges for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it’s outside the EU.
Can I extend the tour? Yes. Contact us to discuss adding extra nights before or after the tour.
Can pillions join? Yes. With two-night stops and rest days, the tour is comfortable for pillions too.
