A working meeting on the continuation of activities related to the establishment of an international EuroVelo route through Bosnia and Herzegovina was held yesterday in the premises of the City of Mostar. The meeting was attended by Đani Rahimić, Ivica Sivrić on behalf of REDAH, and Toni Zorić representing the HerzegovinaBike Association.
The main topic of the meeting was the coordination of further activities in preparing the application to the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), through which a new transnational cycling route—based on the former Ćiro narrow-gauge railway—would be nominated as an official EuroVelo route.
EuroVelo Initiative: From Jahorina to Mostar
Earlier this year, an initial meeting was held on Jahorina, bringing together representatives of cities, municipalities, tourist boards, cycling clubs, and international partners from the region. At that meeting, the idea of creating a route connecting Dubrovnik and Belgrade—passing through Ravno, Mostar, Sarajevo, Višegrad, and further into Serbia—was officially presented for the first time.
In the months that followed, the initiative has significantly advanced, and a wider transnational route has been defined. The proposed route would extend from Belgrade, through Užice, Sarajevo, Mostar, Trebinje, and Nikšić, all the way to Podgorica and Shkodër, where it would connect with the existing EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route. The total length of the proposed route is 1,015 km.
A major part of the route relies on the already well-known and popular Ćiro Trail, which has become a key cycling tourism artery in Bosnia and Herzegovina, attracting thousands of cyclists from all over the world.
At yesterday’s meeting in Mostar, following a proposal by Ivica Sivrić, the idea was raised that the HerzegovinaBike Association should take on the role of main applicant and coordinator of the entire process towards the ECF. This proposal was supported by Đani Rahimić. The final decision will follow once the president of the association holds a meeting with the other members and allocates human resources, given the scale of this project, which requires time and a highly professional approach. The final decision will be made in the coming days.
Next Steps: Regional Consortium and International Cooperation
To meet EuroVelo network criteria, it is necessary to form a transnational consortium consisting of institutions from all four countries through which the route passes—Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania.
In the coming days, HerzegovinaBike and REDAH will begin formal communication with partners in these countries, with the goal of bringing together competent and engaged institutions that will take responsibility for their segments of the route, contribute to the technical documentation, provide institutional support, and participate in financing the evaluation phase.
Once the consortium is established, a joint meeting will be held to define the final application and operational tasks.
Tight Deadlines and Great Potential
The deadline for submitting the application to the European Cyclists’ Federation is January 15, 2026. Considering the upcoming holidays and limited time, activities are being conducted intensively and in parallel across several countries.
Despite the challenges, the project carries enormous potential for:
- the development of sustainable tourism across the region,
- increasing the international visibility of the route,
- strengthening cross-border cooperation,
- using the heritage of the Ćiro railway as a foundation for modern cycle tourism,
- involving local communities in a new European cycling network.
The EuroVelo route through Bosnia and Herzegovina would have a far-reaching impact on the development of cycling tourism, increase the number of visitors, and create numerous economic opportunities—especially in rural areas.
The meeting in Mostar marks a key phase in the candidacy process for the EuroVelo route. The involvement of HerzegovinaBike in this project confirms the significance of the association’s work and gives strong momentum to the transformation of cycling tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
HerzegovinaBike, in cooperation with the City of Mostar, REDAH, and regional partners, continues to work intensively on preparing the application, with the belief that Bosnia and Herzegovina will, for the first time, become part of the prestigious EuroVelo network—a historic step forward for tourism, sport, and regional connectivity.
