Islands to Cycle in Split-Dalmatia County: Brač, Vis and Hvar

Split-Dalmatia County has some of Croatia's premier islands, many of which are splendid cycling destinations. Right now we are going to hit you with three of Split-Dalmatia County's best; Brač, Vis, and the glamorous Hvar.

Brač

Brač, the island with its famous beach, Zlatni Rat, which seems to make every best beach list consistently. There is a reason for this, and that is, Zlatni Rat is just stunning. But Brač is more than just Zlatni Rat and is also an exceptional cycling destination. What you probably don't know is that the island has 25 cycle trails which total a whopping 1026km, the most extensive of all the Adriatic islands.

The island of Brač has some superb cycling routes which take you to the far reaches of the island, through many of its idyllic towns, along its captivating beaches and bays and up to the highest peak on all of the Adriatic islands, Vidova Gora. So strap on your helmet and let's explore one of the most challenging routes from Bol to Vidova Gora.

This route starts in the center of the charming town of Bol where you'll ride West along the paved road past Zlatni Rat Beach, then through the little village of Murvica all the way the Farska Bay. Here you'll take a right and head straight up a steep ascent to the top of the ridge where there is a plateau, the perfect place to catch your breath. From here you head for Blaca, which by the way is where one of the cultural treasures on Brač is located, the must see Blaca Monastery, and then follow the signs to Vidova Gora. Cyclists will need to keep on pushing uphill until you reach the summit of Vidova Gora at 778m where you will be rewarded with unobstructed views of Hvar and the surrounding islands.

By Kelovy - Own work, Public Domain

Vis

This island has been flying under the radar for a quite a while until this year Vis hit the headlines when Stiniva Beach on Vis was named one of Europes best beach for 2016.

If you are looking to get away from the large tourist crowds and want to have a more authentic Dalmatian experience, then Vis is your island. Cyclists will be happy to know that Vis is super cycle friendly. In fact, they claim that everyone on the island rides a bike and that cycling is a way of life.

The 30km round trip from Vis to the other major settlement on the island, Komiža is an absolute must and will take you Križ, Lovka, Marine Zemlje, Dračevo Polje, Podšpilje, and Komiža. Take advantage of your time in Komiža and hop on a taxi boat and visit the mesmerizing Blue Grotto on the nearby island of Biševo.

By Ante Perkovic - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hvar

This Adriatic superstar is a tourist hotspot, each year attracting more and more visitors to its shores eager to discover what all the hype is about. Interestingly, most of the tourism is centered around the glitzy Hvar Town with its swanky hotels, chic bars, and nightclubs, but once you step out of Hvar town and head further afield you'll discover what this island really has to offer.

Exploring Hvar on two wheels is the perfect way to experience this magical island. There are 13 routes with varying degrees of difficulty which will take you through a UNESCO listed site, quaint villages, vineyards, olive groves and to some spectacular beaches. One of the best routes is the UNESCO sites of Hvar route where you'll ride through the UNESCO listed Stari Grad Plain, the villages of Vrboska, Dol, Vrbanj and the town of Stari Grad. When in Dol be sure to try a local delicacy of grilled dormouse. This trail is 23km long and is rated as a moderate ride and will take you across some of Hvar's prettiest landscapes.

By chensiyuan - GFDL