An interesting fact about the island of Pag is that the island is governed by two counties, with the Southern part of the island falling into the Zadar Region, and the Northern part of the county falling into the Lika-Senj County.
A great place to base yourself for some two wheel exploring is Novalja, with a number of routes which start from this tourist town and take you to the gorgeous surrounding localities of Gajac, Stara Novalja, Metajna, and Lun.
There are six marked routes which total 115km's and will get you to all the key attractions of the region including some of Pag's best beaches. There are also numerous unmarked trails which will take you to some of Pag's hidden gems. The marked routes are suitable for all bike types whereas the trails are for mountain bikes due to the sharp stones along them.
A couple of the best routes to consider in Novalja are:
Novalja - Lun Cycle Route
This 18 km route will take you from Novalja to the charming village of Lun, which is at the very northern tip of the island. Lun is most famous for its ancient olive grove which was declared a botanic reserve in 1963 because of the immense value of its wild ancient olive trees, some of which are 1500 years old. Along the ride be on the lookout for some spectacular
Along the ride be on the lookout for some spectacular vistas of the Velebit Mountains and the beautiful Adriatic. Bringing a camera is advisable!.
You can choose to stop at the villages of Jakišnica and Potočnica along the way for supplies or a swim, or even stop in and try some local Paški cheese from a small artisanal producer. When you arrive in Lun, you can cycle the Olive Grove and then head into the centre of Lun, which is a picturesque little seaside village, for a seafood lunch by the sea.
Novalja - Stara Novalja
This short ride is super comfortable and a great to combine with some time at the beach or even some wine tasting and lunch at Boškinac. From Novalja head for Stara Novalja, and follow the signs to Planjka - Trinćel beach, one of the best sandy beaches in the area.
Take a break and a dip and explore the surrounding area of Stara Novalja. Up on the hill, you'll see the Boškinac winery where you can try their fabulous wines, including Gegić, an indigenous white grape variety from Pag.
Whether you take a marked or unmarked route, Novalja offers some great cycling opportunities.
