MTB Dalmatia

Žuljana – sv. Ivan

Country: Croatia
Region: Pelješac/ st. Ivan peak
Length: 19,6 km
Elevation gain: 589 m
Maximum elevation:  450 m
Technical difficulty: 5/5
Download GPS Track: Žuljana_sv.Ivan_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 22.08.2020
Suitable for E-bike: Yes (if e-bike has push assistance)

Few days before this ride I was looking from beach on surrounding hills above Žuljana and wondered how many  mtb trails they hide. Later I found out that there is interesting peak st. Ivan with nice view, but used mostly by hikers. I asked local mountainbikers about possibility to go with mountain bike, but nobody didn’t have useful informations so I decided to check it on my own. I went on a hiking with my girlfriend and did some trail inspection and immediately realised that this trail is hidden gem, even though it was overgrown on few sections it was possible to pass through with the bike.

After hiking, the next day,  I went on a ride very early to avoid heat during ascent. Start was from my apartment in Žuljana, and from there I followed asphalt road that connects to Dubrava, but just before Dubrava turn right on gravel road which is old Napoleon path that goes along main road.

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MTB Korčula – Hum – Vela Luka

Country: Croatia
Island: Korčula
Length: 25 km
Elevation gain: 590 m
Maximum elevation:  376 m
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Download GPS Track: Vela Luka_Hum_Korcula_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 18.08.2020.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

Korčula is Croatian island in Adriatic sea. It is almost 50 km long, and in average 8 km wide and it is the most populous Croatian island not connected to the mainland by brige. Main settlements on the island are towns Korčula, Vela Luka and Blato. This summer I spent part of my vaccation in Vela Luka, so I decided to visit hill above this town.  At the highest point there are the ruins of a fortress, which was built during the reign of Austria-Hungary in the 19th century and is now only preserved in fragments. As we were camping in campsite Mindel , which is aproximately 5 km from Vela Luka, I started from there. From there I immediately connected on gravel road that goes along the coast on eastern part of Korčula and leads to Vela Luka town. From there i followed path that leads to peak Hum.
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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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