Bikepacking Croatia and Bosnia in Winter | Wild Camping, Snow, & Forgotten Balkan Roads

Join us — Saoirse & Sam — on a winter bikepacking journey from Vinišće, Croatia to Dubrovnik, via the spectacular and lesser-known interior of the Balkans. What starts as a sunny coastal ride along the Dalmatian coast soon takes us into the snowy Dinaric Alps, where we wild camp at -10°C, cook dinner under the stars, and spot Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites in the night sky. 🌌

From there, we pedal over dramatic mountain passes and cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina, arriving in Mostar just in time to hear church bells and the call to prayer echoing together through the night. After a rainy day exploring the city's complex history and powerful resilience, we continue on the historic Ćiro railway bike route through the hauntingly beautiful and nearly abandoned Popovo Polje valley.

Along the way, we reflect on the painful history of the region, the effects of war and depopulation, and the resilient spirit of the people who remain. We explore abandoned villages, investigate old homes and livestock buildings, and camp off-grid surrounded by ghosts of the past and sage-scented winds. 🌿🏚️

Our route finishes with a dramatic descent back into Croatia, revealing the fortified city of Dubrovnik perched on the cliffs of the Adriatic.

⏱️ Video Highlights:
• Coastal riding & busy Eurovelo 9 route
• Freezing alpine wild camp at -10°C ❄️
• Spotting Starlink in the night sky
• Mostar’s history & post-war challenges
• Riding the abandoned Ćiro rail line 🚂
• Exploring Popovo Polje & old farmsteads
• Reflections on Bosnia’s political system
• A dramatic ride into Dubrovnik’s ancient walls

🚲 Route: Vinišće → Dinaric Alps → Mostar → Popovo Polje → Dubrovnik
📅 Time of Year: January (Winter Bikepacking)
💬 Have you explored the Balkans? Let us know in the comments!
👉 Subscribe for raw, cinematic bikepacking adventures across Europe and beyond

00:00 Intro
00:31 Dalmatian Coast
02:04 Camp spot overlooking Biokovo
06:59 Day 2, cycling to Mostar
10:11 Mostar
12:09 Day 3, Ćiro trail
16:20 Popovo Polje
18:23 Exploring abandondoned village, searching for a camp spot
22:38 Day 4 Ćiro to Dubrovnik
29:22 Dubrovnik

Here's our full route: https://www.komoot.com/tour/218432106...