Big Circle

About the route

This road route combines two shorter ones into a full circuit of the entire Neretva Valley, breaking the magic 100-kilometre mark along the way. Although that is a respectable distance, the “big circle” is not a hard route, at least for regular recreational riders with a certain level of cycling fitness. The elevation gain is not excessive, and 100 kilometres should not be a problem for those who ride regularly.

The route starts in Metković and crosses the lowlands towards Zažablje, where you can see the former wetland landscape of the Neretva, before you begin climbing towards Zavala Slivno. Your effort will pay off, as the descent to Klek that follows offers beautiful views of the sea and the Pelješac Peninsula.

After the descent, the route follows the Adriatic Highway from Klek to the mouth of the Neretva. A notable attraction on this section is the long sandy beach at Blace, after which the route heads for Ploče and from there climbs towards the natural phenomenon of Polje Jezero, created by draining what was once Vrgorac Lake.

From Polje Jezero a climb leads towards Mali Prolog, followed by a gentle descent back to the Neretva at Kula Norinska, known for its preserved Ottoman-era defensive tower. After Kula Norinska the route follows the banks of the Neretva back to Metković.

Along the route