Trogir, Žedno: Čiovo Island 100% Off-Road Quad ATV Tour

Čiovo’s best scenery is away from the paved roads, and this tour takes you there on a fully off-road route from the hilltop village of Žedno. You ride an automatic quad through rough island tracks, stop at broad views over Split, and reach a 16th-century monastery built into seaside cliffs.

I like the careful 30-minute safety lesson and the fact that guides such as Filip and Damir stay involved throughout the ride. I also like the choice between a shorter outing and a longer version with a 20 to 30 minute swim stop. The tradeoff is simple: you will probably get dusty, muddy, or both, and the meeting point is not in central Trogir.

Key points

• Fully off-road route: Expect dirt, dust, rough tracks, and a more active ride than a road-based quad excursion.
• Strong guide support: Filip, Damir, and the wider team focus on safety, local stories, and helping beginners feel at ease.
• Two scenic stops: See Split and nearby islands from Čiovo, then visit a historic monastery beside the Adriatic.
• Longer tour, better for swimming: The three-hour option adds a southern route and a quiet beach break.
• Automatic quads for beginners: You do not need a driving licence, and several quad sizes are available.
• Useful practical extras: Helmets, fuel, water, parking, and raincoats in wet weather are included.

Why Žedno is the right place to start

This is not a quick spin around a car park or a road ride with a few dirt patches. The route begins in Žedno, a small village near the top of Čiovo Island, and stays off pavement for the riding portion. That gives the outing a rougher, more outdoorsy feel than many easy motor tours.

You reach the base at Franini 35, after passing through the village and driving about 1.5 kilometres uphill. Put Quad Adventures Trogir into your map, since the exact address can be easier to find that way. Free parking is available at the starting point.

If you are staying in Trogir, you can drive, use Uber or Bolt, or arrange pickup and return for an extra charge. From Split, the Bura Line boat reaches Slatine, where pickup can be arranged. You can also come by car or ride service. That transfer detail matters because the activity is described as a Trogir experience, but the actual base is well outside the old town.

The first 30 minutes: learning the quad

Before you ride, you attend a required safety session lasting about half an hour. This is not wasted time. It gives first-time riders a chance to understand the automatic controls, braking, steering, spacing, and basic off-road handling before heading onto the trails.

The quads are automatic, so you do not have to manage a clutch or manual gears. A driving licence is not required, and the operator uses different quad sizes to suit different riders. That makes the activity more approachable for people who have never used a quad before.

The team has more than 10 years of experience, and that shows in the way the outing is structured. Guides keep an eye on the group and check that people are comfortable before continuing. Filip is often singled out for his calm, helpful approach, while Damir is praised for mixing local information with humor. The precise guide depends on the departure, but English and Croatian are available.

You still need to take the training seriously. An automatic quad is easy to operate, but rough tracks require attention. Wear clothes you can dirty, closed shoes, and sunglasses. Bring a change of clothes, especially if rain is in the forecast.

Riding the eastern side of Čiovo

After the briefing, the group heads onto Čiovo’s off-road tracks. The riding portion is broken into sections rather than treated as one long, nonstop run. That is helpful because you get breaks to enjoy the views, listen to the guide, and settle into the machine.

The route reaches the eastern point of the island, where you stop for wide views toward Split and the surrounding islands. This is one of the main rewards of starting high on Čiovo. From the viewpoints, the busy coastal area below gives way to open sea and island scenery.

You get time for photographs, but do not expect a long guided sightseeing stop with extensive facilities. The appeal is the setting and the fresh air, not a built attraction. Bring your phone or camera, but keep it secure while riding and be prepared for dust.

The route includes about 35 minutes of riding before the first viewpoint, followed by a photo stop of roughly 15 minutes. Another short riding section leads to a second viewpoint, where you have around 25 minutes for photos, sightseeing, and a short walk. That stop gives the outing a useful change of pace. You are not simply sitting on a quad for several hours.

The cliffside monastery beside the Adriatic

The most distinctive stop is a 16th-century monastery built into the cliffs beside the sea. It combines a historic site with one of Čiovo’s most appealing coastal settings. The monastery is not presented as a large museum complex, so the value comes from seeing an old religious building in a striking natural position.

This is also where comfortable shoes matter. The ride itself is the main event, but the stop includes walking and sightseeing. One useful tip is to walk down past the church toward the water if the guide and conditions allow. The clear sea below makes this area especially good for photographs, and the setting feels quieter than the developed waterfront areas around Trogir.

The stop gives the tour more substance than an ordinary motor adventure. You get speed and dirt on the tracks, but also a small piece of island history and a chance to understand how people used remote coastal sites in earlier centuries.

After the monastery, the group follows the scenic route back toward Žedno. The return includes another riding section of about 35 minutes. The route is described as following the same scenic way back, so do not book this expecting a completely different circuit on the return.

Choosing between the shorter and longer tour

The shorter outing covers the main route, the viewpoints, and the monastery. It lasts about two hours of tour time, with the full activity taking roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the scheduled departure and format.

The longer version includes the same opening route, then adds an off-road section toward the southern part of Čiovo. The reward is a 20 to 30 minute stop at a small beach, where you can swim and relax before riding back.

I would choose the longer option if you are visiting in warm weather and want time in the water. The beach stop changes the pace from an active motor outing into something closer to a half-day island experience. Bring swimwear and a dry change of clothes if you plan to use it.

Choose the shorter option if your schedule is tight, you mainly want the views and monastery, or you prefer less time on a quad. Both versions remain fully off-road, so the longer tour is not simply more sightseeing. It also means more riding, more dust, and more time exposed to heat or changing weather.

The advertised total duration is 2.5 to 3.5 hours, while the tour information also refers to two-hour and three-hour routes. Check the available departure and exact duration when booking, since the schedule may affect how the day fits around ferries, meals, or other plans.

What the ride feels like in real conditions

This is an active outdoor trip, not a polished sightseeing bus excursion. Dry weather means dust. Wet weather means mud and puddle spray. The operator provides free raincoats if it rains, but you should still wear clothing you do not mind marking.

One useful detail is that water is supplied for each person. Guides also include drink breaks, which help during hot afternoons. Food is not included, so eat beforehand or plan your meal after returning to Žedno.

The quads are described as being in good condition, with enough power for the trails. Even so, the pace is shaped by the group. The guide needs to keep beginners and more confident riders together, so this is not a race or a chance to ride as fast as possible.

That group format is a plus if you are new to quads. Guides check that everyone understands what to do and remain active during the ride. The experience works best when you want instruction, scenery, and some excitement rather than a completely independent adventure.

Who will get the most from this experience

This tour suits couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and anyone who wants a break from beaches and historic streets. It is also a good choice for a first quad experience because the machines are automatic and the safety briefing is built into the plan.

Children under 13 must ride with an adult on a quad. The tour is listed for all ages and experience levels, but pregnant women and people with back problems should not take part. You should also be comfortable with an active ride over uneven ground.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the off-road format and walking at the viewpoints and monastery may still make personal suitability worth confirming before you book. The supplied information does not explain which parts are adapted or what assistance is available.

If your ideal day means staying clean, dry, and perfectly comfortable, choose another activity. If you like a bit of dirt and want to see parts of Čiovo that are hard to reach by ordinary car, this is a strong fit.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person, the cost includes the automatic quad, fuel, guide, safety training, helmet, water, and parking. Raincoats are included when needed. That is a reasonable package for a two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half-hour guided outing, especially because the route combines riding with viewpoints, a historic monastery, and, on the longer version, a swim stop.

The main value is not simply the time spent driving. You are paying for access to off-road routes, equipment, instruction, and someone who knows how to manage a mixed group safely. Filip and Damir are particularly well regarded for explaining the area and keeping the mood relaxed.

The extra pickup fee is the main added cost to watch for. If you are already renting a car or can use Uber or Bolt, going directly to Žedno may be the better value. From Split, factor in your boat or road connection to Slatine and the arranged pickup.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Still, check the exact departure time and duration before committing, especially if you have a ferry or airport transfer later the same day.

Small details that make the day easier

Bring identification, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and a change of clothes. A swimsuit is sensible for the longer route, though the supplied information only specifically requires the general clothing and footwear items.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. The safety briefing is mandatory, and the guide can refuse unsafe behavior.

Allow extra time to reach the base. Žedno is at the top of Čiovo, not beside Trogir’s waterfront, and late arrival can cause problems even though the team has sometimes been able to rearrange a missed start. It is better to arrive early and use the free parking than rely on a tight ride connection.

Should you book the Čiovo quad tour?

Book it if you want a lively way to see Čiovo, enjoy rough tracks, and appreciate a guide who adds local facts to the ride. The strongest reasons are the genuine off-road route, the views toward Split, the unusual cliffside monastery, and the option to add a swim at a small beach.

I would choose the three-hour version in hot weather, when the water stop adds real value. Pick the shorter route if you mainly want the riding and viewpoints or need to keep your day flexible.

Skip it if you have back problems, are pregnant, dislike dust and mud, or want a quiet history tour. For everyone else, the $80 price is fair for a well-supported outing that combines adventure with real island scenery rather than treating the quad as the whole point.

FAQ

Where does the Čiovo quad tour start?

The meeting point is Quad Adventures Trogir at Franini 35 in Žedno. After passing the center of Žedno, drive about 1.5 kilometres toward the top of the island and follow the road signs. Free parking is available.

How do I reach the meeting point from Trogir?

You can drive, take Uber or Bolt, or arrange pickup and return from Trogir or another place on Čiovo for an additional fee.

Can I come from Split?

Yes. You can take the Bura Line boat to Slatine, where pickup can be arranged. You can also reach the meeting point by car, Uber, or Bolt.

Do I need a driving licence?

No driving licence is required. The quads are fully automatic, and the activity begins with a required safety training session.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the automatic quad and fuel, safety training, guide, helmet, free parking, one bottle of water per person, and raincoats if it rains. Food and hotel pickup are not included.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult on a quad. The tour is presented as suitable for different ages and experience levels, subject to the stated safety requirements.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and a change of clothes. Expect to get dusty or dirty because the entire riding route is off-road.