Country: Croatia Mountain: Učka Length: 47,5 km Elevation gain: 1592 m Maximum elevation: 1396 m Technical difficulty: 4/5 Download GPS Track: Ucka_Vojak_Deda_st.Anton_Kraj_Cyclotrail Date of ride: 31.10.2020. Suitable for E-bike: Yes
Last year I went on Mala Učka and rode with Ivan, Gojsi and Hrvoje. We chose one of the easier descents that Učka mountain has to offer. This time I came back with friends. We were accompanied with crew (Matko, Dule and Luka) from Rijeka who shuttled to Poklon. We started from Ika (There is a parking lot behind Konzum market) and from there went uphill on paved road. I was relieved that we pedaled to Vojak by asphalt road because I haven’t rode bike for 3 weeks, and one week had a flu, so I lost my form. This lost of form cost me later very dear on long descent.
Country: Croatia Town: Grožnjan Length: 43,2 km Elevation gain: 1420 m Maximum elevation: 350 m Tehnical difficulty: 3/5 Download GPS Track: MTB Grožnjan_endurogrozni_Cyclotrail Date of ride: 15.02.2020 Suitable for E-bike: Yes
Grožnjan is small Istrian town located on the hill above Mirna river valley. During summer months Grožnjan streets and squares are transformed into shelter for painters, musicians, sculptors and many other artists. Few years ago I visited Grožnjan for the first time when me and my girlfriend were riding famous Parenzana trail (old railway path which is now transformed into macadam road for MTB). Even though Parenzana trail goes through many famous places in Istria I liked Grožnjan the most. It has the best vibe and amazing view which you can enjoy while relaxing in local coffee shops.
Country: Croatia Mountain: Ćićarija/Žbevnica peak Length: 31 km Elevation gain: 1238m Maximum elevation: 1014 m Technical difficulty: 3/5 Download GPS Track: MTB Ćićarija_Žbevnica_Cyclotrail Date of ride: 22.06.2019. Suitable for E-bike: Yes
Žbevnica is highlighted peak on western side of Ćićarija mountain, and also the last peak in west of Croatia higher than 1000 meters. I visited Ćićarija for the first time in 2016 with my friend Petar who run 100 miles of Istria few times and knows this region very well (and he is from Istria). Even though we cycled then mostly on unpaved road with very few singletrack trails I liked Žbevnica peak because of its long grass and opened sights in all directions. It reminds me on Hahlićin so many ways. This year I decided to go back to Ćićarija, but I wanted to include more singletrack in the route. I asked local guys for some insights and I’ve got gpx track from Goran who helped me with some advices and gave me few pointers. He warned us that track could be overgrown with vegetation on some parts, and it was, but not enough to change our mind not to ride it.
We rode this track two days after Stol, which is very hard route, the kind of route that you enjoy to ride, and like to remeber it, but also kind of ride that makes you hate your bike for at least two days.