Rijeka to Santorini - Balkans
A journey to discover the vast, open beauty of the Balkans, a sprawling multinational region rich with old world charm and even older world mythology. Explore glittering coastlines and evergreen forests, rugged hinterlands and rolling hills, sand-strewn beaches and crystal blue seas. This is the unparalleled splendor of Southeast Europe, on full display for you to behold.
You'll be flying a Cessna 172 Skyhawk. With a cruising speed of 124 knots (229 km/h), it is the ideal bush plane for sightseeing around the world.
Assistance on the trip will be available in the form of a 'Back on Track' button on the VFR Map -- however, be advised that using this will disable achievements tied to the activity.
Total Legs: 16 Total Distance: 951 Total Time(125kts): 7 hours 36 minutes
Leg 1
Rijeka Airport to Otocac Airport
Leg Distance: 44.08 Approximate time at 125kts: 21 minutes.
Rijeka Airport(LDRI) to Šilo(POI1)
Distance: 5.81NM Bearing: 132° 3 minutes
Welcome to the Balkans - your tour begins in Croatia, the 'land of a thousand islands', as you depart from Rijeka Airport and head southeast toward the coastline of Vinodolski Kanal. In the distance, look for a nearly land-locked small bay, Zaljev Soline -- then head past it, to the hook-like bay and small coastal town of Silo.
Šilo(POI1) to Road Junction(POI2)
Distance: 7.43NM Bearing: 171° 4 minutes
Carry on travelling south down the coastline. Follow the heading towards a gap between two large hills some miles in the distance.
Road Junction(POI2) to Baška(POI3)
Distance: 5.11NM Bearing: 132° 2 minutes
Track along with State Road D102, heading southeast. After a short distance, it will bring you to the resort settlement of Baska, a cultural and historical center situated on the bay Bascanska Draga.
Baška(POI3) to Senj(POI4)
Distance: 5.97NM Bearing: 69° 3 minutes
From the bay, follow the rocky shoreline southeast. When you reach the shore's end, make your way across the waters of Velebitski Kanal, gaining altitude as you go. Soon, you'll arrive at Senj, a small bayside town on the upper Adriatic coast, in the foothills of the Mala Kapela and Velebit mountains.
Senj(POI4) to Biaci Ridge(POI5)
Distance: 4.15NM Bearing: 97° 2 minutes
As you pass over Senj, look for State Road D23 carving a path up a slope in the cliffside. Let it lead you into Senjska Draga, a deep green valley enclosed by the ridges of Velika Kapela and Velebit.
Biaci Ridge(POI5) to Highway Flyover(POI6)
Distance: 4.46NM Bearing: 94° 2 minutes
After following D23 for a stretch, look for a major highway interchange for the A1 motorway at Zuta Lokva.
Highway Flyover(POI6) to Otocac(POI7)
Distance: 7.32NM Bearing: 134° 4 minutes
Head southeast from the interchange, as the A1 motorway tunnels through hills and eventually leads you to the Gacka River. Just east of the river, on the perimeter of a karst field, lies the town of Otočac.
Otocac(POI7) to Otocac Airport(LDRO)
Distance: 3.83NM Bearing: 112° 2 minutes
Running southeast out of Otočac, look for State Road D50 to lead you past dense patches of forest, toward a grass airstrip on the eastern side. This is Zracna luca Otočac, the first stop on your Balkan journey.
Leg 2
Otocac Airport to Zadar Airport
Leg Distance: 57.88 Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.
Otocac Airport(LDRO) to Mine(POI1)
Distance: 5.17NM Bearing: 138° 2 minutes
Once in the air above Otočac, continue southeast along State Road D50. You'll pass back over the Gacka River before reaching a fork in the road. Follow the southern branch, as the road paths into the hills and past an expansive mining operation.
Mine(POI1) to Highway Interchange(POI2)
Distance: 6.75NM Bearing: 155° 3 minutes
You will soon cross paths with the A1 motorway again. Follow the highway to an interchange a short distance south, near the village of Konjsko Brdo.
Highway Interchange(POI2) to Jadova River Bridge(POI3)
Distance: 7.78NM Bearing: 169° 4 minutes
As you follow the road to the south, it will begin to curve and bend toward the east. Let it take you past a forest, to a bridge over the Jadova River, then farther southeast.
Jadova River Bridge(POI3) to Odmorište Zir(POI4)
Distance: 8.41NM Bearing: 119° 4 minutes
After a short while following the road, you'll find yourself passing over a rest stop at Odmoriste Zir. Carry on heading southeast.
Odmorište Zir(POI4) to Sveti Rok(POI5)
Distance: 10.23NM Bearing: 156° 5 minutes
Start gaining altitude as you continue along the road. You will come to pass two highway interchanges before the road disappears into the Sveti Rok Tunnel, surrounded by dense forestry atop the Velebit mountains. Adjust and turn southwest before heading up, and over, the mountainside.
Sveti Rok(POI5) to Novsko Ždrilo(POI6)
Distance: 7.78NM Bearing: 235° 4 minutes
Once you've crested the Velebit peak, find the road again as it leads toward a bridge over the strait, Novsko Zdrilo.
Novsko Ždrilo(POI6) to Zadar Airport(LDZD)
Distance: 11.76NM Bearing: 215° 6 minutes
From the bridge, the road will lead southwest along the shore of Novigradsko More. Continuing farther inland, you'll break away from the road toward an airport in the distance -- Zracna Luka Zadar, also known as your next stopping point.