2022
Nowadays many people cycle along Eastern Croatia as part of the Eurovelo6 and the Greenway routes (from Hungary to Croatia). However, even if you're not such a passionate cyclist, but you easily imagine yourself spending a few days on two wheels, consider to visit Osijek-Baranja County.
There are several places where you can rent a bike, and here's a link with more information:
http://tzo-bilje.hr/en/cycling-through-baranja
To get the latest information, you can also pay a visit to the Osijek Tourism Board office, which is located directly beside the cathedral. They will be happy to assist you with all your concerns regarding the local bike routes and equip you with brochures, maps and guidebooks.
The best thing about cycling in Osijek and Baranja is that the terrain is completely flat, so you don't have to worry about your endurance capabilities too much.
One of the most popular routes goes from Osijek to Sombor, Serbia, and it's called the Pannonian Peace Route (local name on the signs: Panonski put mira). It's about 70 kilometers long and it mostly follows local roads with little traffic, so it can be quite enjoyable for a pleasant day outdoors. The first 7 kilometres on the route, between Osijek and the village of Bilje, are physically separated from the main road.
This route was the third post-conflict bicycle route in Europe, and it was organized to promote peace and cooperation between Croatia and Serbia. Along this route, you will get a chance to explore a nature park (Kopački rit), and several typical villages, where you'll occasionally get the feeling that the time stopped several decades ago. There are also a few restaurants near the route (check the local word čarda!), while at its end there is a charming town of Sombor in Serbia.
There are several bike lanes in Osijek, too. My favourite one is the route along the Drava River, from Lower Town of Osijek to the suburb of Višnjevac (8 km), as it takes you far enough from the noise of motorized vehicles. If you decide to cycle around Osijek, keep in mind there are about 35 kilometres of separated paths for cyclists, and they stretch along both banks of the River Drava. Some of them can be quite busy and could do renovation, but still – cycling is one of the most popular outdoor activities among the locals.
The other famous route is the Danube Route, which leads towards Dalj, Vukovar and Ilok, but keep in mind that the traffic is much heavier there. It mostly uses state roads and therefore I wouldn't recommend it, at least not if you mostly go cycling for pleasure.
@KatyaL So, here are a few more pictures from the bike path between Osijek and Višnjevac! They will show you the atmosphere in late autumn, with fewer people on it.
In spring and summer afternoons, the image would be completely different! At the weekends the path sometimes gets even too busy for my taste. However, I guess I'll have to take a few more shots when it gets warmer again. 🙂
