Every day, Međimurje records an increasing number of visitors who are eager to ‘move.’ today, we spend more and more time sitting and less and less in nature.
And yet it moves
For those with an adventurous spirit, Međimurje offers popular rafting on the Mura and Drava, but also paintball, horseback riding, quad riding. There are also running and cycling trails, tennis courts, the possibility of swimming in pools, trim and walking trails in lowland and hilly areas, and golf courses. Fishermen will also enjoy the rivers Mura and Drava, and in a few equestrian clubs, you can ride in nature or walk.
A CYCLISTS PARADISE
Green hills and quality asphalt have long adorned Međimurje and attracted cyclists. They started in Međimurje in 2007 with cyclo tourism, and today it’s the very top of the cycling offer in Croatia. Roads specially designed for both cars and cyclists, and tourists on two wheels have a place to rest, wash, repair their bikes and charge their mobile phones at unique rest areas in Croatia. Cyclists are welcome in every catering facility, where they can “moor a horse.” 🙂
A Bicycle resting area
‘We started developing cycling tourism in Međimurje County in 2007., following the Austria and Switzerland examples where cycling has more than 25 percent tourism per year. The World Tourism Organization and study indicates that cycling will become a long-term megatrend’ – said Rudi Grula, head of the Međimurje County Tourist Board.
We are delighted with the bicycles rest area – unique in Croatia and specialized only for cyclists!
‘There are three resting areas in the county, each with access to drinking water, water for showering and washing bicycles, lockers for storing luggage, a charging station for e-bikes and electrical appliances, bicycle parking racks, holiday furniture, bicycle maps on the wall. Here is a stand with printed promotional materials, a set of tools for minor bicycle repairs, a set of the most common inner tubes, a first aid kit, a tube pump’- shows us Rudi Grula, ‘the good spirit’ of Međimurje tourism.
In Međimurje, half of the cyclists are locals, and twenty percent are Slovenians, and some are from Austria. Neighbors recognized Međimurje, and Dalmatians make 15 percent of the green Međimurje bicycle paradise.
Dalmatians in Međimurje
The main motives of cyclists from Dalmatia (number growing in recent years, which is very interesting!) are the natural landscape, cycling infrastructure, day trips to Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, and more than 800 kilometers of good bike paths.
We will soon introduce gravel, ie, a gravel category of trails, and in addition to three large bike rest areas, such as this one in the Tourist Board, we have about 20 smaller ones in the county. – states Grula.
Feed the cyclist
Međimurje is the first Croatian region with a quality label for cycling tourism. “Cyclist Welcome” is providing high added value or special services for cyclists in accommodation facilities, restaurants, travel agencies, and other facilities used by this type of tourist. The “Cyclist Welcome” service level is from one to five gears 🙂
– Currently, this sign bears 78 accommodation, catering, and other facilities. It guarantees cyclists a superior service specially designed for their specific needs. Varaždin and Zagreb counties and Zala county in Hungary have taken over this label and way of working as ‘know how’ – said Grula.
The fact that roads are being built, not only for locals but also for guests, testifies how extensive and is the tourist offer for cyclists in Međimurje.
Orientation of the destination towards bicycle tourism, and according to the principles of good practice of destination management in cooperation with the County Road Administration of Međimurje County and local self-government units, the construction of bicycle paths is accelerated. Međimurje currently has the best network of paved bike lanes and trails concerning the length of roads in Croatia.
Međimurje plans to become the first Radreiseregion (ADFC designation) in Croatia. Thanks to the excellent infrastructure, they reduced bicycle traffic accidents, although the number of cyclists in traffic has tripled in the last three years. To become the bike destination, Međimurje was included in the first two races of the Tour of Croatia, and in the following years, they will get one of the global races.
Therefore, if you have a bicycle – or you like to cycle – go to Međimurje.
They did everything to make it super interesting for you, of course, to rent a bike, but this is just the beginning of their ever-growing offer of services and activities in this cycling green paradise of northern Croatia.
