Date: 29th May – 5th June 2026
Location: Slovenia • Croatia • Bosnia & Herzegovina • Montenegro
Distance: ~1,350 km (varies annually)
Event Type: Unsupported Off-Road Bikepacking Race
The Trans Balkan Race is an unsupported off-road bikepacking adventure across the rugged heart of the Balkans. Starting in Slovenia and finishing in Montenegro, the race follows a GPS-guided route through the dramatic Dinaric Alps, weaving across Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina along the way. Riders face remote landscapes, national parks, and historic regions once shaped by the legacy of the Ex-Yugoslavia.
This is a true test of self-sufficiency. Beyond GPS tracking and two supervised checkpoints, no external support is provided. Riders decide where to sleep, when to eat, and how to pace their effort. Every choice—whether resupply, rest, or route management—shapes the outcome.
The course is carefully designed to minimize paved sections while avoiding unnecessary hike-a-bike. Instead, the challenge comes from long climbs, harsh environmental conditions, and sparse resupply points. Expect a mix of rugged forest tracks, karstic plateaus, rolling gravel, and remote villages where wildlife and nature take center stage. Bears, wolves, and shepherd dogs are part of the landscape—reminders that this is racing at the wild edge of Europe.
Beyond its physical demands, the Trans Balkan Race is also a cultural journey. Riders encounter scars of the region’s past while experiencing the warmth of Balkan hospitality. In rural and mountain areas, language may be a barrier, but generosity and welcome are universal.
The Trans Balkan Race is more than a competition—it’s an exploration of a region that feels both distant and close, familiar yet mysterious. A ride through history, wilderness, and resilience, it offers an unforgettable adventure into the untamed Balkans.
Trans Balkan Race — ride self-supported, ride free, ride the unknown.
