By Bike through the Inland Villages: Brusje, Velo Grablje and Malo Grablje

What it is

A bike ride across the plateau of western Hvar, above the town: Brusje, Velo Grablje and the abandoned village of Malo Grablje, among dry-stone walls, terraces, olive trees and the lavender fields that made the island famous. It can be done in two ways: with Hvar Adventure's self-guided route, which gives you the bike and a GPS with the whole route, or independently with your own bike following Hvar Tourism's signposted route 710.

With Hvar Adventure

The activities company in Hvar town hires out the bike with the route loaded on a GPS. There is no guide: you go at your own pace with the device, which shows the way live.

• Route: Hvar, Brusje, Velo Grablje and Malo Grablje, with a stop at a family farm with views, where you are served homemade juice and a tasting of local products, and another at the fortress viewpoint.
• Distance and time: 30 km in about three and a half hours. The company rates it easy and gives +200 m of climbing.
• Bikes: leisure, mountain, road or electric.
• Price: €110 per person if you are 1 to 3 and €100 from 4 people.
• Includes: bike, helmet, water bottle, GPS and power bank.
• Times: morning departure, between 10:00 and 11:00, or afternoon, between 16:30 and 17:30. Bike delivery can be arranged at your accommodation.
• Season: March to November; the rest of the year, ask.

You book with the form on its website. They will ask for each person's height, helmet size, your cycling level and the type of bike you want, so have it to hand. If you have allergies or a special diet, say so for the tasting.

Independently: route 710

Hvar Tourism has thirteen numbered cycle routes on the island, from 700 to 712. The 710, Malo Grablje, covers the same circuit:

1. Departure from Hvar town, next to the bus station, along the D-116 road east to Milna.
2. Climb on unpaved tracks northwards, passing Malo Grablje, to Velo Grablje.
3. Return on asphalt westwards, via Brusje, to Hvar.

It is 20.5 km: 17.4 of asphalt and 3.1 of track. It rises from 7 m to 409 m and accumulates 544 m of climbing, considerably more than the company's figure suggests: if you are not on an electric bike, expect long climbs. The track can be downloaded from the Hvar Tourism website.

Difficulty

On an electric bike anyone used to cycling can do it. On a normal bike some fitness is needed: the climb from the coast to the plateau is sustained. The track stretch is short, but with loose stone; a mountain or gravel bike does better than a road bike.

When to go

March to June and September to November. In June and early July the lavender blooms around Velo Grablje and Brusje. In high summer set out early in the morning: on the plateau there is little shade. At the start and end of the season bring a jacket; it is cooler up there than at the harbour.

Water and stops

Bring water from home. In Velo Grablje is Konoba Zbondini, a family tavern serving island cooking, and the village has a free guided visit on Fridays at 10:30. Malo Grablje has been uninhabited since 1971: do not expect services. If you prefer to do it on foot, see the walk from Velo Grablje to Malo Grablje and Milna.

Traffic

The D-116, the island's main road, is a stretch shared with cars and buses, with much more traffic in summer. Wear a helmet and a rear light even if you go independently.