The abandoned runway of Željava air base stretching toward Mount Plješevica, Croatia

Motorcycle Roads

Ride the Plješevica & Una Roads

Željava Air Base · Lika & Plitvice

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CATEGORY: Motorcycle Roads
COUNTRY: Croatia
REGION: Željava Air Base · Lika & Plitvice
DURATION: Half a day.
DIFFICULTY: Easy riding, moderate road surfaces.
BEST TIME: April to October.

ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE

For motorcyclists, Željava is a destination in itself — the base sits on empty highland roads that are smooth, quiet and dramatic, climbing the forested slopes of Plješevica with views over the Krajina. Riders come from both sides of the border: from Lika over the Plitvice plateau, and from Bihać up the Una valley, and the abandoned runway makes a one-of-a-kind photo stop. The combination of riding roads, Cold War history and borderland atmosphere has made Željava one of the classic stops on Balkan moto itineraries.

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

What you’ll experience

You ride quiet forest roads up Plješevica, park at the site, and walk the runway and tunnel mouths. The runway itself is closed to traffic but fine to walk; the tunnels beyond the barriers need a guide. On clear days the view from the slopes reaches far over Bosnia.

THE EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL

What it’s really like

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

HIGHLIGHTS

Moments worth savouring

Empty highland roads with almost no traffic, on both sides of the border.

The one-of-a-kind photo stop: motorcycles on a destroyed superpower runway.

The pairing of roads, history and the Una valley in a single ride.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Good to know before you go

The Croatian approach is from the D1 near Udbina or the Plitvice plateau; the Bosnian from Bihać. Fuel up in Bihać or on the D1 — there is no station nearby. Surfaces are generally good; watch for gravel near the site.

WHY IT MATTERS

Why it matters

Željava is the kind of ride destination that makes a trip memorable — a Cold War runway at the end of a perfect mountain road. For a moto traveller it is a must between Lika and Bosanska Krajina.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION