Ciro Trail

The Ciro was the narrow-gauge railway built under Habsburg administration that ran from Sarajevo through Mostar and on toward the Adriatic, closed in 1976, and the trackbed through Herzegovina has been converted into a cycling and walking route, following the old alignment with its gentle gradients through tunnels, over stone viaducts and past station buildings, some restored as guesthouses. The Bosnian section runs from Mostar south through the Bregava valley, Stolac and the karst of Popovo Polje toward the frontier, where it continues on the Croatian side toward Dubrovnik. Surfaces vary from asphalt to gravel and rough sections, and tunnels are unlit, so lights are needed.

What you actually see

• Tunnels and viaducts - the engineering of the old narrow-gauge line.
• Station buildings - the restored halts along the route.
• Popovo Polje - the karst field the trail crosses.
• The Bregava valley - the green section south of Mostar.

When to go

April to June and September to October; Herzegovina in July and August is too hot for daytime riding, with temperatures well over thirty and little shade. Winter brings rain and flooding on the polje.

Honest expectations

Surfaces vary and some sections are rough gravel unsuited to road bikes. Tunnels are unlit and lights are essential. Services along the route are thin and water must be carried. Sections remain incomplete or diverted onto roads.

Nearby

Mostar is the northern end; Stolac and Ravno lie along the route.