241 From Zero to Hero
Elevation profile
Move across the profile and the point follows on the map.
About the route
From sea level (literally) all the way to Croatia’s third-highest peak runs a unique, thrilling and demanding route with a memorable name – From Zero to Hero. A physically demanding climb of some thirty kilometres and an equally long, technically demanding descent take you up to 1762 metres and back to the beach in Makarska, making this route the destination’s main cycling attraction and one of the most attractive in this part of Europe.
Indeed, a configuration like this – a high mountain rising directly above a very popular summer destination, with a paved road to its summit – is not easy to find anywhere in Europe. It is especially worth mentioning that favourable climate conditions, even on the capricious Biokovo, let you ride From Zero to Hero from early spring until late autumn.
The first seven kilometres of the climb, up to the entrance of Biokovo Nature Park, follow the D512 state road, which links the Makarska Riviera with Zabiokovlje. Turning into the Nature Park, you join the Biokovo road, the highest road in Croatia, which climbs towards the summit through numerous hairpins in a pine forest. After the Vrata Biokova restaurant the trees give way to mountain pastures, where you may even see wild horses and free-roaming cattle.
At kilometre 18 of the climb, at 1128 metres, you reach the Skywalk Biokovo, after which the final part of the climb begins. Note that the last 4 kilometres are the hardest, with gradients of up to 20%.
Along the route
The Skywalk Biokovo, a large arch with a glass floor that rises above the abyss, is located in the southwest part of the Biokovo Nature Park, in the area of Ravna Vlaška, at an altitude of 1228 meters. As part of the viewpoint, a geological pillar has been built, providing a three-dimensional representation of the rock sections that have formed the Biokovo area from its inception to the present day, along with a geological timeline and descriptions of the ages and types of rocks.
When to go
Start & access
Start coordinates: 43.2914 N, 17.0202 E
Tips and safety
The Biokovo road is narrow and two-way, so caution is necessary. The ascent itself can be divided into four parts: to the entrance to the park (less steep – wide road); from the entrance to the nature park to the Skywalk – the steeper part; after the Skywalk to the last 4 km – a flatter part; the last 4 km – a steep and demanding part of the route (you know you're there when a rope appears on the side of the road). Bring enough fluids because there is only one catering facility in the park - Vrata Biokova, and that's at the 15th kilometer of the ascent. The epic cycling ascent from "zero" to 1762 meters. The Biokovo Nature Park charges entrance tickets during certain parts of the year.
An obstacle, damage or wrong data — email us, no sign-up needed.
