Cycling the Riviera: 7 amazing routes to explore by bike

Sixty kilometres of coast, one mountain looming directly behind it, and seven signed cycling routes that turn that combination into everything from a gentle afternoon spin to a full day fighting gravity up to 1768 metres. Here is the Riviera’s full cycling network, route by route, numbers included.

What cycling routes exist on the Makarska Riviera?

The Riviera is covered by seven official numbered routes, ranging from an easy 62 km coastal transversal to a demanding 176.6 km loop deep into the Zagora hinterland. Between them, they cover the full coastline from Gradac to Brela, the climb to Biokovo’s Skywalk and its summit at Sv. Jure, and inland detours to Vrgorac and Imotski.

Overview: all seven cycling routes at a glance

Cycling route	Path	Length	Time	Climbing	Difficulty
341 – Southern Riviera	Gradac – Vrgorac – Podgora	107.1 km	4h30	1768 m	5/5
201 – Northern Riviera	Brela – Imotski – Brela	107.5km	4h	1688m	2/5
321 – From the Sea to the Field	Podgora – Vrgorac – Podgora	91.4 km	3h30	1884 m	4/5
340 – Transversal Makarska Riviera	Gradac – Živogošće – Drvenik – Igrane – Podgora – Tučepi – Makarska – Brela	62.3 km	2h30	750 m	1/5
241 – From Zero to Hero	Makarska – Sv. Jure (Biokovo) – Makarska	62.3 km	4h	1762 m	4/5
242 – Around Biokovo	Loop around Biokovo	100.3 km	4h	1628 m	3/5
243 – Destination Route	Makarska – Vrgorac – Imotski – Makarska	176.6 km	7h	2986 m	5/5

Route 341 – Southern Riviera

Path: Gradac – Vrgorac – Podgora.

Stats: 107.1 km, roughly 4h30 cycling time, 1768 m of climbing, shape 4/5, difficulty 5/5.

This route heads inland from Gradac up toward Vrgorac before dropping back to the coast at Podgora. The standout moment comes on the way down: a view over the Polje Jezero field, followed by the descent from Gornje Igrane back to the coast — a proper reward after the inland climbing.

Route 201 – Northern Riviera

Path: Brela – Imotski – Brela.

Stats: 107.5 km, roughly 4h cycling time, 1688 m of climbing, shape 4/5, difficulty 2/5.

A loop connecting Brela with Imotski, this route is built around two standout natural sights: the view of Vruja bay on the coastal stretch, and, inland, views of Imotski’s famous Blue, Red and Green Lakes — dramatic karst sinkholes rarely seen from a bike saddle.

Route 321 – From the Sea to the Field

Path: Podgora – Vrgorac – Podgora.

Stats: 91.4 km, roughly 3h30 cycling time, 1884 m of climbing, shape 4/5, difficulty 4/5.

True to its name, this route trades the coast for the inland fields around Vrgorac before circling back to Podgora. Highlights include the Kokorići ethno village and a viewpoint on the ascent of Vina — a good route for riders who want the Riviera’s hinterland, not just its coastline.

Route 340 – Transversal Makarska Riviera

Path: Gradac – Živogošće – Drvenik – Igrane – Podgora – Tučepi – Makarska – Brela.

Stats: 62.3 km, roughly 2h30 cycling time, 750 m of climbing, shape 1/5, difficulty 1/5 — the easiest route on this list.

This is the Riviera’s full coastal tour in one ride, stringing together every major town from Gradac to Brela along the flattest, most beginner-friendly profile of the seven routes. Its highlight is simply itself: an enjoyable journey connecting all the beautiful destinations of the Makarska Riviera in a single outing.

Route 241 – From Zero to Hero

Path: Makarska – Sv. Jure (Biokovo) – Makarska.

Stats: 62.3 km, roughly 4h cycling time, 1762 m of climbing, shape 4/5, difficulty 4/5.

The name says it all: this route climbs from sea level in Makarska up to Biokovo’s Skywalk, the glass-floored viewing platform hanging above the cliff edge, before continuing toward Sv. Jure and looping back down. Same distance as the Transversal route, completely different ride — proof that on this coast, kilometres alone never tell the whole story.

Route 242 – Around Biokovo

Path: A loop around Biokovo.

Stats: 100.3 km, roughly 4h cycling time, 1628 m of climbing, shape 3/5, difficulty 3/5.

Rather than climbing straight up the mountain, this route circles it, trading the Adriatic views of the coastal routes for unforgettable views of the Adriatic Sea alongside the karst beauty of Zabiokovlje, the rugged hinterland region behind Biokovo’s ridge.

Route 243 – Destination Route

Path: Makarska – Vrgorac – Imotski – Makarska.

Stats: 176.6 km, roughly 7h cycling time, 2986 m of climbing, shape 5/5, difficulty 5/5 — the longest and hardest route on the Riviera.

This is the big one: a full-day expedition from the coast at Makarska deep into the Zagora hinterland, through Vrgorac and Imotski, and back again. With nearly 3000 metres of climbing over 176.6 km, it is built for serious cyclists looking to see both faces of this region — coastal and continental — in a single, demanding ride.

So, which one are you tackling first? If you’re more of a hiking or trekking person, check out our lists of trails around Baška Voda, Podgora, Riviera in general, or if you’re taking your whole family on a day trip, check out our family-friendly hikes!