Cycling Around Vis

Possibly a very stupid question, but can anyone tell me how easy it is to cycle round Vis? I'm not that fit and hate cycling uphill. This might not be the island for cycling. Does anyone have any past experiences?

Thanks in advance.

Pam

Right you are! Just to get out of the main town of Vis you have to pedal up the steep hill on hairpin curved road. Once you reach the central plateu it is fairly flat through the vineyards. But first you get to get there.

Sorry to have to second that--I am fairly fit and one look told me I would not be doing the cycling I had planned on doing there. And what you go up you have to go down--a risky proposition. We rented a scooter instead and combined that with hiking and it was wonderful.

If you like hiking that is a good option on Vis. The news agents sell maps that explain tell you where all the hiking trails are and who the distance and elevation. A lot of the trails start in Vis Town. Look for the red circles with a white center and numbers by them to find the trails.

Thanks all. It was my real fear that it would be really mountainous, but I am not very confident on a scooter. Is the bus service good ?

No, the bus service is not very good (in my experience). It supposedly goes between Vis and Komiza based on the ferry schedule, but I never saw it--perhaps it is more common in July-August? Even if you catch the bus, to get to one of the good beaches for example, you'd still have to hike--and good luck catching a return bus.

If you have qualms, then you should not rent a scooter, but I will say that if you are a safe driver you should be fine because there is not much traffic and the roads are fine. (Much much safer than renting one on Korcula, which was truly cheating death.)

Hiking is the way to go, but they are going to be long hikes (and in summer very hot). You may have to prepare your self to be satisfied hanging out in Vis, or rent a car.

Walk in one direction from Vis and you'll find shingle beaches, walk in the other direction and you'll find a pebble beach which would have been grand were it not for the piles of trash. In Komiza, there is a little town beach, more for kids it seemed to me.

Hi Veta,

that is sad news it would have been good not to have to hire any transport (enviroment, costs etc) can I hire a car on vis or will I have to hire one from Split? I really don't fancy hiring a scooter, I have done so in Asia and always with real hesitation. I have had lessons since then but would rather chill on my holdiays.

Best wishes,

Pam

There are probably cars available for rent in Vis, check with the tourist office because that would be easier (though not necessarily cheaper) than bringing one from Split. Also ask them about the bus schedule because maybe that has increased since 2005.
I agree with you about the environmental impact; however if you are going to be there more than a few days and you cannot tolerate the walking or bike riding required, you will want to see more of the island.
When I was there I did not find the trails that R P spoke of (there was road construction going on so we didn't want to venture too far in the heat without knowing where we were going), but that is an option that you may be capable of. I don't believe the walk to Stoncica (which R P mentioned in a another Vis thread) would be too strenuous--how long did that take R P?

Thanks again Veta, all information great. The trails sound fab but I'm not sure that I'll be up for it in 38degree heat.

I'll get in touch with the tourist office and see what they say about a 1 or 2 day cra hire.

Cheers to all

Pam

Hi Pam,
We are on Vis now and honestly, it is sooooooo hot that the thought of cykling makes me dizzy. Maybe if you are in great shape...Bus schedule is fine in july-august, today four connections each way, so it is do-able.We are loving Komiza and think it is a jewel very quiet but still with options, accomodation is no problem, we just got a flat on arrival chatting to people at the busstop.
Enjoy!
Bylling