mtb 4 islands

Ploče and Baćina lakes

Country: Croatia
Region: Ploče/Baćina lakes
Length: 26 km
Elevation gain: 501m
Maximum elevation:  235 m
Technical difficulty: 2/5
Download GPS Track: Ploče_Baćina lakes_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 26.06.2018.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

While I was in Ploče, this track was my standard after job route. Some of this route I used for running, but  it was mostly used for maintaining MTB form.  It isn’t very attractive route that guide you through beautiful scenery, but it is great ride for sightseeing town Ploče and Baćina lakes. Start is at Birina lake. There is plenty of space to park a car, and from there you follow the road to the center of city which afterwards leads you to the local hill. There is military outpost, so access is limited for civilians, luckily you are able to climb on top of the hill and enjoy the view on delta of river Neretva and Pelješac peninsula. Access road is some old carrigeway which is one way road that I used also for downhill, and there starts my short video.
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Golica – Hrušica peak

Country: Slovenia
Mountain: Golica/Hrušica peak
Length: 39 km
Elevation gain: 1603m
Maximum elevation:  1750 m
Technical difficulty: 4/5
Download GPS Track: MTB Golica_Hrušica peak_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 25.06.2019.
Suitable for E-bike: No

Golica is a mountain in Slovenian Alps located on western part of Karavank Alps. We visited this mountain in June, and picked a perfect day for this trip. Even though Golica is very close to Stol , it is very different from that route. We parked on parking lot in Mojstrana, and started to ride on south side of river Sava. There is flat bicycle lane, which is great for warming up. Our route goes on this lane for a few km.

After crossing river Jesenica we went left following the road for Golica and there starts ascent on paved road. After 13 km of pedaling we stumbled on well. Little refreshing, snack and we continued forwards. From here starts views on pastures.

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MTB Krk Baška – Obzova

Country: Croatia
Region: Island Krk/Obzova peak
Length: 32,5 km
Elevation gain: 980 m
Maximum elevation:  569 m
Technical difficulty: 4/5
Download GPS Track: Krk Obzova Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 02.03.2019.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

Obzova is the highest peak on island Krk and the trail that leads to the peak is one of the most interesting I rode in last few years. Route starts near beach in Baška. Baška is resort town situated on southern part of island and is famous for its old town, churches and long beautiful beach which is sadly overcrowded during summer.  We didn’t have such problems because we decided to visit Baška in March.
As I said, our route starts near beach and follows paved road to the graveyard. Paved road ends there, and starts carrigeway that leads through pine forest to the famous Moon plateau which offers impressive landscapes made of karst and stone deserts which look like moon surface. There is mtb race (4islands) that is held on this island, and big part of the race is similar to this route, but the race then goes to Punat, and this route continues to Obzova, and then descends back to Baška. Ride is not suitable for hardtail bike.

This was my first serious ride on the new bike, and first real test, so I was a little bit impatient to see how will the bike respond. Even though 130 mm suspension fork worked well, 150 mm or more would be better.

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