Riding the road from Bar to Sarajevo is a great experience. The scenery varies from the deep blue sea, to rugged, rocky mountains and pleasant green pastures. There are several routes you can take, but the detour through Durmitor National Park and the Tara canyon is spectacular. This 400km route takes you on some fantastically twisty roads that duck and dive through one of the largest gorges in the world. At a mile deep and 50 miles long, it’s well worth visiting this hidden gem. For a day in the saddle you’d be hard pressed to beat this relatively unknown ride.

Planning your ride from Bar to Sarajevo

Starting from Bar you have two choices once the E80 splits. Either follow it north towards Podgorica, then take the M18 to Niksic for the more direct route. Or for a more scenic detour, follow the E80 along the coast towards Kotor. Loop the famous bay and follow the P11 and then the M6 to Niksic. The more direct route saves you 50 km and perhaps an hour in the saddle but sacrifices some fantastic views over the bay. From Niksic, follow the M18 and then the P5 to the skiing town of Žabljak. Turn left here and head into Durmitor national park, following a road packed with switchbacks and hairpins. Hugging the edge of the gorge, the road twists and turns to the village of Nedajno. Follow the road to the P14, where it rapidly climbs down the gorge, before connecting with the M18 again. Follow the mighty river through endless tunnels, hewn from the rock, all the way to the border. Once you’ve crossed, continue along the M18 through fields and small villages, all the way to Sarajevo.

Nowadays all of the roads on the main routes from Bar to Sarajevo are tarmacked and any bike should be capable of handling the route. There are still many side roads that are nothing more than small dirt tracks for off road adventurers. The majority of the road is two track, though it narrows to a single track road within the national park.

Traffic is not very heavy for the most part, though most vehicles you will encounter during the summer will be tourist traffic. The coast road and the M18 can be busy, especially around the larger towns at rush hour.

Fuel shouldn’t be an issue, although it’s worth filling up before entering the national park, at Niksic or Šavnik.

Accommodation

Riding from Bar to Sarajevo can be completed in one long day. However, for those wishing to spend a little more time in this stunning part of the world, there are many options to choose from. There are several campsites on both sides of the border, set on the shores of the river Tara. Camping can also be found in Žabljak for those looking to stay near the national park. Otherwise, guesthouses, hotels and motels are all common and can be found along much of the route. It’s worth booking ahead during high season.

Food

Food is readily available before entering the National Park. Once you’re in the wild, it’s unlikely that you’ll come across a restaurant until you reach the border. This could be several hours so be sure to pack water and food. An early lunch in Žabljak can be a nice excuse to try out some local delicacies. Or save yourself for Sarajevo, where excellent and very affordable food is abundant. For something quick and easy pick up a burek, a delicious pastry.

Weather considerations

The smaller tracks may be closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. The weather can be unpredictable and summer storms are frequent. Pack waterproofs just in case. Autumn is a great time to ride this route and enjoy the vibrant and varied colours of the landscape.

Sights

The natural beauty of the Bar to Sarajevo route offers the majority of the sights. The immense river canyon, the fantastic rocky mountains or the high plains, there is surely something to please everyone. For something a little different, many campsites on the river Tara offer rafting trips.

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Bar to Sarajevo – The Long Way Round

Bar to Sarajevo – The Long Way Round

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