Balkans Cycle Tour Vienna to Istanbul 2011

Balkans Cycle Tour, Vienna to Istanbul

April - June 2011


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Stage 5 - Montenegro (Crna Gora)

Cycling through the mountains, 11-15 May 2011

Montenegro was the most mountainous and scenically spectacular single country in the entire cycle tour. This tiny country is home to some of the deepest gorges and highest passes in the Balkans. The large cities such as Nikšić are dull soviet era housing estates and not very inviting to intrepid travellers. This drab city contrasted starkly with the amazing scenery and wonderful little villages and campsites high in the mountainous north of the country. After a night in a hotel in Nikšić on the 11th of May I enjoyed 3 days of spectacular mountain riding between here and the border with Kosovo.

Map of Stage 5 - Montenegro

	[Previous stage - Bosnia] After lunch on 11 May 2011 I cycled into Montenegro from the Bosnian town of Bileća. I had been forced to use this border crossing instead of the one further north near Avtovac because apparantly foreigners aren't allowed to use the border crossing at Avtovac, only locals can! So this forced me into a long detour south and thus it was late in the afternoon and I was very tired as I approached the city of Nikšić. The city ahead in the distance in this photo is Nikšić. I reached this vantage point after a long and arduous ride from the Bosnian town of Bileća. Upon arrival in Nikšić I found a city full of old soviet era apartments and nothing in the way of accommodation. It was with some considerable effort that I finally found a hotel room in this uninviting city. Today's ride was 147km so I was completely exhausted and in need of a shower, food and sleep! 11 May 2011
	From Nikšić I headed north, climbing into the mountains. The long climb was interrupted with a long descent to the town of Šavnik. This photo was taken from near Krnovo at an altitude of approximately 1500m. 12 May 2011.

	. Ahead lies a deep valley where the Bukovica river flows, and beyond that the high snowy peak of Bobotov Kuk (2522m). Tonight I would camp beneath that mountain. 12 May 2011.
	Climbing once more, from the town of Šavnik towards the Durmitor National Park.

	The road goes up and up and up, and includes a long tunnel, several kilometres long. 12 May 2011.
	At last the highest point is reached, at around 1500m, this lovely landscape of farmhouses and mountains.

	Right at the highest point is a lovely campground with these little cabins. A perfect place to stay for the night. 12 May 2011.
	My little cabin for tonight. 12 May 2011.
	And the view from the door.


	13 May 2011. After a huge long downhill run from the town of Žabljak I reached this bridge which crosses the famous Tara Canyon.
	The road continues up the Tara Canyon and I followed this road upstream to Mojkovac. 13 May 2011.
	The Tara Canyon is spectacular and the road carves its way through the gorge, passing through many little tunnels like this one.
	The Tara Canyon.
	The Tara Canyon 13 May 2011.
	Further upstream the canyon broadens into a wider valley. This is near the locality of Bistrica. 13 May 2011.
	Camping in the National Park Biogradska Gora.
	Biogradsko Jezero. 13 May 2011.
	Biogradsko Jezero. 13 May 2011.


	Biogradsko Jezero in the morning. 14 May 2011.
	Between Berane and Rožaje there is another river and another gorge and another high pass to cycle over. 14 May 2011.
	Just before Rožaje I found this lovely campsite, which is really just a man's front garden. He was very friendly and hospitable, gave me a beer and made me feel very much at home.
	From Rožaje it was a long climb up to the border with Kosovo. 15 May 2011.
	This was the highest pass of the entire cycle tour, at 1800m. At this point I have already passed the Montenegro border post and am climbing the last hill before descending into Kosovo.
	The top of the pass. Ahead lie the mountains of Kosovo. The story continues with Stage 6 - Kosovo.

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This web page created on 29 Jun 2011, last updated 29 Jun 2011.


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