The mouth of the Neretva River, the Baćina Lakes, and the Adriatic Sea – three natural wonders that have nothing to fear, as their beauty rivals even the most famous destinations. When you add a touch of rocky terrain inland, a field called Jezero, and the Matica River, you get an incredible diversity packed into a small area – a landscape unlike anything you’ve seen before…
Destination
Ploče, a town often compared in appearance to the famous Monte Carlo, leaves many more well-known destinations far behind with its surroundings.
Just as we were preparing for the first scouting of the route in this new Epic Rides destination, news spread through the media that Ploče had been named the 3rd ugliest coastal town in Europe. Many travelers on their way to the far south of Croatia, who passed through or briefly stopped here while waiting for the ferry to Pelješac, might even agree with that.
But we don’t agree. Nor do the more than 8,000 people who live in this peaceful and truly fascinating port town with its incredibly and unexpectedly beautiful surroundings. Interestingly, architects wouldn’t agree either, as Ploče as a town is a functional and very intriguing urban design whole, to paraphrase just some of them.
Going back for a moment to the story of the “ugliest towns in Europe,” let’s not forget that first place on that same list went to none other than Monte Carlo. That’s not bad company.
Between the river, the lakes, and the sea, at every moment you’ll be surrounded by water.
And while debates may go on about the beauty of the town itself, it’s clear that those critics never explored the surroundings of Ploče. That debate, in fact, is meaningless. The Neretva River delta, the Baćina Lakes, and the Adriatic Sea – three natural wonders that need fear nothing, as their beauty can rival even the most famous places. Add a bit of rocky terrain inland, a field aptly named Jezero, and the Matica River, and within a very small area you get a diversity that is hard to compare with anything you’ve seen before… A space so compact that it perfectly fits a new, different, refreshing Epic Rides.
Welcome to the new Epic – EPIC RIDES Ploče / Neretva.
Route
Water, water, and more water. Almost the entire Epic Rides route will have some form of water around you.
The greatest and most pleasant surprise during all of our Epic Rides route scouting so far happened right here. Over the course of roughly 50 kilometers on this Epic Ride, you’ll go from the sea, through former railway tunnels, along the Neretva River delta, across wetlands, fields, rocky terrain, and canyon rivers – all the way to Croatia’s largest wine-growing region and the spectacular seven lakes.
Sounds good?
This is one of those Epic Rides that will break all your preconceptions, if you have any, and reveal the hidden, at first invisible and in this case very well-camouflaged beauties of a landscape often first associated with socialist-era buildings and a cargo port.
The route, although relatively long for an Epic Ride (56 km), has only 560 meters of elevation gain, so we can place it among the easier Epic Rides routes to conquer.
We start in the center of Ploče, pass through the picturesque village of Rogotin, and then ride along the Neretva delta heading slightly inland. There, a longer stretch on an asphalt road through rocky terrain awaits before we descend into the Jezero field – named so because it was once, long ago, an actual lake. Flowing through its center is the Matica River, and this same field is today Croatia’s largest vineyard region, which, despite its size, has yet to fully reveal its wine potential. That same Jezero field is connected by a canal to the Baćina Lakes, which are the icing on the cake of this Epic Ride. A spectacular display of natural beauty in yet another masterpiece of Croatia’s stunning landscapes.
NOTE: The Epic Rides route is carefully designed with the rule that it never exceeds 50 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain (combined). Also, there are no technically demanding sections; and if, due to terrain configuration, some cannot be avoided, they are short, can be walked, and are additionally marked on the route itself.
Meeting point: PLOČE
Start time: 10:30
The greatest and most pleasant surprise during all of our Epic Rides route scouting so far happened right here. Over the course of roughly 50 kilometers on this Epic Ride, you’ll go from the sea, through former railway tunnels, along the Neretva River delta, across wetlands, fields, rocky terrain, and canyon rivers – all the way to Croatia’s largest wine-growing region and the spectacular seven lakes.
Sounds good?
This is one of those Epic Rides that will break all your preconceptions, if you have any, and reveal the hidden, at first invisible and in this case very well-camouflaged beauties of a landscape often first associated with socialist-era buildings and a cargo port.
The route, although relatively long for an Epic Ride (56 km), has only 560 meters of elevation gain, so we can place it among the easier Epic Rides routes to conquer.
We start in the center of Ploče, pass through the picturesque village of Rogotin, and then ride along the Neretva delta heading slightly inland. There, a longer stretch on an asphalt road through rocky terrain awaits before we descend into the Jezero field – named so because it was once, long ago, an actual lake. Flowing through its center is the Matica River, and this same field is today Croatia’s largest vineyard region, which, despite its size, has yet to fully reveal its wine potential. That same Jezero field is connected by a canal to the Baćina Lakes, which are the icing on the cake of this Epic Ride. A spectacular display of natural beauty in yet another masterpiece of Croatia’s stunning landscapes.
NOTE: The Epic Rides route is carefully designed with the rule that it never exceeds 50 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain (combined). Also, there are no technically demanding sections; and if, due to terrain configuration, some cannot be avoided, they are short, can be walked, and are additionally marked on the route itself.
Meeting point: PLOČE
Start time: 10:30
EPIC RIDES
Distance: 56.9 km
Ascent: 560 m
Offroad: 46 %
SHORT
Distance: 46.3 km
Ascent: 520 m
Offroad: 38 %
Event info
At which location is the START?
The start is in the town of PLOČE. Start location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MCX8XRpExydy7Qpe7
Accomodation
Accommodation at promotional prices for participants of EPIC RIDES Ploče / Neretva during the weekend period May 23 – 25, 2025 is available with the following hosts (promotional price applies only with direct contact to the host / not valid for purchase through online platforms!), until capacities are filled:
MOBILE HOMES “GROT”
Location: Baćina / 8.5 km from Ploče
Accommodation:
• mobile home for 4+2 persons
• mobile home for 2+2 persons
Reservation phone number: +385916053266
Reservation e-mail: hucikasara@gmail.com
Price for direct reservations: €90/night (breakfast included in the price)
VILLA ŠOLO 4*
Location: Peračko Blato / 4 km from Ploče
Accommodation: family two-bedroom apartments
Reservation phone number: 098 366 567 (Pero)
E-mail: Mladen.krsticevic1@du.t-com.hr
Prices for direct reservations:
• Price for 4 persons: €100 per night
• Price for 2 persons: €80 per night
SAGENA ROOMS
https://www.sagena-rooms.hr
Location: Rogotin / 6 km from Ploče
Accommodation: double and triple rooms
Reservation phone numbers: +385 20 484 930; +385 91 44 00 785 (Marijana Markota)
E-mail: info@sagena-rooms.hr
Prices for direct reservations:
• Double room with double bed: €65 per night*
• Triple room with double bed and 1 additional bed: €75 per night*
*Tourist tax is charged additionally: €1.40 per person per night
APARTMENT FALA LIPA (OPG ĆULUM)
https://en.opgculumduje.com/smještaj
Location: Peračko Blato / 4 km from Ploče
Accommodation: Apartment with 2 large rooms. Each room has two beds (one room with joined double bed, the other with separate beds). Kitchen, living room, 2 bathrooms (two sanitary units, shower).
Reservation phone number: +385918981551 (Ante Ćulum)
E-mail: opgfalalipa@gmail.com
Prices for direct reservations: €35 per person per night
Where to eat?
RESTAURANT “FULIN”, Ploče
RESTAURANT “PIAZZA”, Ploče
PIZZERIA “OLIVA”, Ploče
RESTAURANT “TETA OLGA”, ROGOTIN (homemade food, eel and frog specialty)
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