MTB Slavonia

MTB Papuk – Orahovica

Country: Croatia
Mountain: Papuk
Length: 62,95 km (4 shuttle rides)
Elevation gain: 2473 m
Maximum elevation:  766 m
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Download GPS Track: MTB Papuk_Orahovica_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 04.01.2020.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

Papuk is the largest mountain in Slavonia, it extends between Bilogora, Krndija, Ravna gora and Psunj. Its peak Papuk is at 953 meters above sea. Even though Slavonia highlands (such as Papuk) are not higher than 1000 meters, they are very noticeable in the landscape because surrounding alluvial fields which are mostly not higher than 100 meters above sea. Usually I don’t go on shuttle rides, so this vacation in my hometown was a perfect time to use selfinvitation with weekend warriors and join them on Papuk trails. Weekend warriors are enthusiasts from Osijek who travel almost every weekend from Osijek to Orahovica to dig or ride trails on Papuk. They also organize Papuk extreme challenge. Usually I’m not very good at jumping gaps and kickers, so this shuttle dh session was ideal for some practice. It is actually very good feeling when you are going on descent still fresh. This is probably the best way to work on downhill technique, in one day I descended my 2 weeks quota.
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MTB Psunj: Pakrac – Omanovac – Brezovo polje

Country: Croatia
 Mountain: Psunj, Brezovo polje peak
Length: 41 km
Elevation gain: 1248 m
Maximum elevation:  985 m
Technical difficulty: 3/5
Download GPS Track: MTB Psunj Pakrac Omanovac-Brezovo Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 16.06.2019.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

After Medvednica, Psunj and Brezovo polje peak is place I climbed most often with bike. But now, I can’t remember when was the last time I rode on Brezovo polje. While visiting my parents in Nova Gradiška, I decided to bring my bike to see Brezovo polje. For the first time, start will be from Pakrac. 10 years ago, near Omanovac was famous trail called Konjska staza (Horse trail), but nowdays, this path is jammed, and local bikers advised me not to go there. Even though that trail (Konjska staza) was on my bucket list for a long time, I woudn’t enjoy the ride if I had to carry bike through fallen threes.

So, as it goes, I’ve got contact from a friend of a friend and messaged Santo to guide me through northern part of Psunj. Even though Santo had triathlon that day (had to swim on a race) and had some private obligations, he was kind enough to reschedule and find some time to show me local trails. We were short on time and started from Omanovac ( I drew gpx that starts from Pakrac) and avoided ascent on paved road from Pakrac to Omanovac. Ride to Brezovo polje is combination of unpaved road and singletrack. Along the way you can see old threes, woodcutters do not enter this area because surrounding is mined.

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