Easy bike trip from Lyra to Željava. Ride through greenery, stop by the Douglas C-47 for photos, hear the guide’s stories and return to the hotel to unwind.
A trip you will remember! Here is an idea for a guided bike tour where your guide shares the story of the former Yugoslavia’s most secret air base. A gentle ride through quiet forest and long open flats follows a route shaped by many historic moments, right into the heart of the region’s military past.
Željava, code name “Object 505,” was once the largest underground air base of the Yugoslav Air Force and among the largest in Europe. Today it is an abandoned complex that draws adventurers. It lies below Mount Plješevica on the border of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, close to Plitvice Lakes on one side and Bihać on the other.
Lyra Hotel Plitvice sits in Ličko Petrovo Selo and Željava is practically next door, so the ride is easy and comfortable without major climbs or strong effort. The tour fits neatly into half a day, for reservations and guide availability, ask our friendly reception team.
Your guide will meet you in the hotel car park, prepare the bicycles and safety gear, and you are ready to go. Željava is a border area with a wartime legacy, so it is important to follow the guide’s instructions, stay on paved roads and clearly marked paths, and respect all traffic and safety signs.
Bring a bottle of water. The guide will provide a helmet, and sun protection is recommended.
After the visit you return to the hotel, which is also where the tour ends. Treat yourself to a refreshing drink at the bar, enjoy lunch and relax in the calm of the surrounding forest.
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After the first bends through the greenery of Plitvice Valley the road levels out and the ride settles into an easy, history-flavoured rhythm. The destination is Željava, once a military airfield below Plješevica and today a vast open space that shows how nature and high engineering can stand side by side, each with its own voice. This route suits recreational riders who enjoy longer straight sections with the odd gentle rise. No special experience or fitness is required, only a relaxed pace, a little curiosity and good spirits.
A green corridor of trees leads you toward the site and its original purpose, while Željava greets you with wide concrete slabs and a mountain backdrop. Before you reach the main runway you will see the area’s most photographed attraction, the Douglas C-47, a perfect stop for photos.
The runway is long enough for you to feel the scale and the quiet, and the view keeps opening toward the forest edge. It is easy to imagine the former rhythm of the airfield.
The visit includes a moment to park the bikes and peek toward the tunnels that form part of the base. Your expert guide will explain their specific features, the advantages this air base once had, and stories about the people who served here, their duties and everyday life.
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