EuroVelo is expanding again! The brand new EuroVelo 18 – Sava Cycle Route will stretch 1,136 km from the Slovenian Alps to Belgrade, following one of Europe’s most remarkable rivers through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia.
This video explains the route, the landscapes it crosses, why it matters, and what cyclists can expect when it becomes part of the network in 2029.
If you’re into long-distance touring, river routes, or EuroVelo developments, this one’s for you.
#eurovelo #EuroVelo18 #SavaCycleRoute #bicycletravel #cyclingeurope #BikeTouring #longdistancecycling #sava #croatia #slovenia #serbia #bosniaherzegovina #europeancycling #new #cycling #cyclingfans #cyclinginsider #bike #biketrip #bikeinformation #bicycleinfrastructure
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Links:
Euro Velo 18, Sava Cycling Route:
https://en.eurovelo.com/news/2025-10-23_eurovelo-network-to-expand-sava-cycle-route-becomes-a-candidate-eurovelo-route
Euro Velo 16, Iberian Cycling Route:
https://en.eurovelo.com/news/2023-09-27_iberian-cycle-route-set-to-become-the-future-eurovelo-16
Credits:
Ljubljana:
The Sava River:
Belgrade:
Cycling Path:
Maps:
https://en.eurovelo.com/
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Just recently, we made a video explaining the current status of development on the Eurov cycling network. The system of 17 international bike routes connecting 39 countries of which 63,000 km out of the final 91,000 have been completed. Well, it turns out that video didn’t age very well because only a few weeks later, news broke out about the latest edition, a completely new route passing through four countries along one of Europe’s many legendary waterways. Not the one I’m sitting next to, which is the Rine, but the Sava River. Never heard of it? Well, by the end of this video, we hope you’ll not only be acquainted with it, but also look forward to exploring its banks on two wheels. Hi, I’m Slow Eddie Spaghetti. Please excuse my voice. I’m just recovering from a cold. Hi, I’m Slow Eddie Spaghetti. And on this channel, we focus on what matters to bike travelers, share experiences, and spread the word on good ideas. Before we get into the juicy images of this new route, let’s begin with a general overview of the network and a few technicalities. The ULO cycling network, coordinated by the European Cycling Federation, ECF, initially consisted of 12 routes, but has since expanded to 17. It’s not fully complete yet, but it’s very much a work in progress. New links, branches, and upgrades to route quality and safety are being added at a steady pace. Although progress varies from region to region and from country to country, you can check out the video mentioned in the opening line for more details. It’s linked in the description below. While it still shows what has been achieved by 2025 and remains perfectly valid, there are two new routes that went unmentioned. The one we’re focusing on today and another linking the Eurov1 in Lisbon to the Eurov3 in Pmplona via Madrid. This route dubbed the Iberian cycle route and designated as Eurov 16 is expected to join the network by 2028. And the newest edition, the SAVA cycle route is set to become Eurov 18 by 2029. However, being integrated does not necessarily mean it will be open and ready to ride. UL roots go through a long process before even being drawn on the official map, let alone being signposted or becoming part of local cycling culture. This is due to the many stakeholders involved from municipal authorities to regional administrations, national governments and international coordination bodies. Cycling in Europe is of course not restricted to Eurova routes. You can cycle almost anywhere that safety permits, but carrying the Eurov signage guarantees a certain standard. So there are many criteria to meet and plenty of red tape to get through before ideas become reality. At present, the project has passed the most important hurdle, being accepted as an officially proposed route. On the other hand, planning does not need to start entirely from scratch because several segments of the future route already exist. Once integrated into the Eurov network, funding will become available to fill the missing gaps and develop highquality safe cycling infrastructure. In the end, the route will be a,136 km long. In return for these investments, local economies should receive a welcome boost from cyclists eager to discover the region’s many historic and cultural attractions, as well as its stunning landscapes. So let’s take a look at where this route will take us. The upcoming Eurovve 18 will begin at the Sava Source in the Slovenian Alps, passing Trilav National Park, the scenic lake Bled and the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, a city with a vibrant cycling culture and already connected to the network via the Eurov9. Heading downstream, the Sarva River flows through Croatia via its capital, Zagreb, yet remains wild and rural as it winds through wetlands and nature parks. Hugging the border of Bosnia and Herzgoina, this balcon will finally be connected to the Eurov network for the very first time before the route continues into Serbia, where the landscape looks dramatically different from where the journey began. Finally, you’ll reach the largest city on the route, Belgrade, where the Sava meets the mighty Denube. From here, you can continue along the Eurov 6 all the way to the Black Sea. UL 18 will put this part of Europe firmly on cyclist radar and offer an intimate look at one of Europe’s best preserved lowland rivers. Almost 2/3 of its course is protected due to its exceptional biodiversity. Alongside this remarkable natural environment, you can expect a wide variety of cultural highlights, not least the three capital cities it passes through, several different language regions, and even the challenge of deciphering the Serbian cerillic alphabet. The route itself will also be far from monotonous, making use of different types of infrastructure, forest paths, paved shared streets, dam maintenance roads, and in the future, new dedicated cycle lanes and paths. As with all Eurovella routes, safety and comfort will be top priorities. Safety and comfort, though, should not be taken for granted when cycling this route in the future. You’ll be traveling through a region that not too long ago was torn apart by war. In the 1990s, cooperation between these countries would have been unthinkable as ethnic conflicts unfolded with devastating consequences. Today, authorities and tourist organizations work together, promising us a truly impressive cycling experience, one that only peace and political stability can guarantee. So, let’s hope everything goes smoothly and that in a couple of years we’ll be able to give you a firsthand report of what this route is like. In the meantime, there are plenty of other routes waiting to be discovered. So, make sure to subscribe to the channel if you want to stay upto-date on new developments and inspiring ideas. Give the video a like if you found it informative and I look forward to see you in the next one. Thanks for watching and keep on cycling.