How to Prepare a 12-Day Motorcycle Route Through 9 Balkan Countries with a GPX Tracks
Planning a motorcycle trip through 9 countries in just 12 days sounds thrilling—but also overwhelming. From border paperwork and GPS mapping to fuel logistics and daily distances, building a route that flows smoothly through Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Serbia, and Croatia requires precision and experience.
After thousands of kilometres across the Balkans, here’s an advanced breakdown of how to plan your own multi-country motorcycle adventure—and how to save weeks of research with a ready-made solution at the end.
1. Route Planning and Mapping
Define Your Countries and Key Destinations
Start by outlining your route and identifying major highlights. A realistic pace for Balkan terrain is 200–300 km per day, depending on the road type.
Plan to include a mix of coastal roads, high mountain passes, UNESCO cities, and remote countryside. For instance:
The Adriatic Coastal Highway (Croatia → Montenegro) for sea views,
Durmitor National Park (Montenegro) for mountain curves,
Transalpina or Transfăgărășan (Romania) for legendary alpine passes.
💡 Pro tip: Always plan clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the ferry crossings or border points you want to prioritize.
2. Creating the GPX Route
Use Professional Mapping Tools
The backbone of your trip will be the GPX file. Tools like Kurviger, Garmin BaseCamp, MyRouteApp, or Calimoto allow you to:
- Plot daily waypoints,
- Avoid highways or gravel depending on your preferences,
- Export routes directly in GPX or KML formats, compatible with Garmin, TomTom, OsmAnd, or Google Maps.
Always double-check your export for road continuity and local restrictions—some small mountain passes in Albania or Bulgaria may still be gravel or temporarily closed after storms.
3. Logistics: Fuel, Accommodation, and Borders
Mark your fuel stops, food breaks, and overnight points directly in the GPX. This minimizes stress and ensures you won’t run out of fuel in rural areas (especially Albania or Montenegro, where gas stations can be 100 km apart).
Border Tips
Crossing nine countries means frequent document checks. Always carry:
- Passport valid for 6+ months,
- Green Card (international insurance),
- Original motorcycle registration document,
- For rented or financed bikes: a notarized travel authorization translated into English or French.
⛔ Avoid crossing during national holidays or weekends—border queues between Croatia and Bosnia, or Albania and Montenegro, can take hours.
4. Terrain & Riding Conditions
The Balkans are unpredictable. You’ll ride from Alpine curves in Romania, through Adriatic heat in Greece, to forest roads in Bosnia—sometimes all in 2-3 days.
| Terrain Type | Countries | Riding Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain passes | Romania, Montenegro, Greece | ★★★★☆ | Tight switchbacks, occasional gravel |
| Coastal roads | Croatia, Albania | ★★★☆☆ | Scenic but crowded in summer |
| Countryside routes | Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia | ★★☆☆☆ | Great views, rough patches possible |
⚠️ Avoid July–August if you dislike traffic and heat. The Adriatic coast becomes crowded with tourists and campervans. The best riding months are May–June and September–October.
5. Building the Daily Itinerary
Divide your 12-day trip into balanced daily segments:
- Include start and end points, total km, and estimated riding time.
- Add sightseeing spots such as Kotor Bay, Ohrid Lake, or Rila Monastery.
- Prepare alternative routes for bad weather—mountain fog in Romania or Greece can force detours.
- Export each day as a separate GPX file (e.g., “Day 1 – Slovenia to Croatia.gpx”). It helps navigation and allows re-routing mid-trip without losing progress.
6. Testing and Backup
Before departure:
- Load GPX routes on your navigation device and backup phone,
- Test the files for errors or wrong routing,
- Download offline maps (OsmAnd, Maps.me) for areas without signal,
- Save your GPX files in Google Drive or USB for redundancy.
🔋 Extra tip: Bring a 12V power outlet or USB charger for continuous GPS use and a solid /shake-waterproof phone mount—rain in the Balkans is sudden and frequent.
7. Advanced Safety & Preparation
The Balkan region is safe but rugged. Prepare as if you were touring remote areas:
- Pack a basic first aid kit and a spare fuse box,
- Learn a few local phrases for fuel, help, or directions,
- Avoid night riding—especially in Albania and Bosnia where livestock often crosses the road.
If you travel solo, share your GPX route with a friend/family for safety tracking.
8. The Expert Shortcut – Skip the Planning, Start Riding
Creating a 12-day GPX route through nine countries takes weeks of research, testing, and coordination.
You need to verify roads, fuel range, accommodation, and every border detail—each mistake can cost you hours or even derail your trip.
If you’d rather focus on riding than spreadsheets, I’ve already done the hard work for you.
👉 Check out the Balkans – Motorcycle Tour Book & GPX Routes | 12-Day Trip
It includes:
✅ 12 pre-tested GPX routes (one for each day),
✅ A complete day-by-day itinerary,
✅ Verified accommodations and dining spots,
✅ Hidden scenic routes and local tips,
✅ Full logistics and border guidance.
Ride confidently through nine Balkan countries without stress—just load the GPX and start your engine.
Conclusion
A multi-country motorcycle tour across the Balkans is one of Europe’s greatest riding adventures.
With proper preparation—or the right ready-made guide—you can experience coastal curves, wild mountain passes, and centuries of culture in just 12 days.
Don’t spend weeks researching. Start exploring😀