Country: Croatia
Mountain: Velebit
Length: 33 km
Elevation gain: 1370 m
Maximum elevation: 1757 m
Technical difficulty: 5/5
Download GPS Track: Velebit_Vaganski vrh_Cyclotrail
Date of ride: 12.09.2021
Suitable for e bike: No
Vagan peak is the highest peak of Velebit and this peak was on my bucket list for a very long time. After I saw video from the bike club Macaklin I’ve got gpx file from them and decided to visit this peak before winter. We had two options to reach Vagan peak. First option was reaching peak directly from Medaki and then with the same trail down. First option is better if you want to descent better and inspect lines and line choices so you can plan your descent. But we chose second option which includes circular route where you start your ascent from Raduč and then descent to Medaki.
Even though second option is tougher and longer, we chose it because we prefer circular routes and this ascent is more expedition route than the first one. We parked our car in Medaki and from there started to Raduč where we turned right and started our ascent to Vagan. From there to Bunovac is ascent on macadam road. After reaching Bunovac starts hike a bike for about 4,5 km. It took us about 2:30 hours of hiking to reach peak. Most of the time we carried bikes on our backs.
First part of descent is very rocky technical trail with great views. Just before entering forest there is a well, which was great because we didn’t bring so much water with us counting on finding some on the way down. After reaching forest we found that trail isn’t in very good condition and there is a lot of fallen trees on the way, but luckily that is mostly on the upper part and trail is very long so you can still enjoy in descent.
Descent in the forest is very diverse, it has rock gardens, tight switchbacks, natural kicks, drops and wery fast and flow parts. For me, this is one of the best routes I rode on Velebit (even though all of them are great).
Thanks Matej on his photos, this is probably first time that I have nice photos on my website because of his great eye. You can look on his site for some interesting trails: https://www.rulac.net/
Note: Be very careful, this region of Velebit is mined, so try to follow trail as strict as possible, and that could be very though during autumn due to fallen leaves.
Map of route:
Elevation profile:
Can’t this trail be done by e-bike? Too much carrying on the back?
No, this route is not good option with e-mtb, It is better to go uphill the way we descended, and then go down on the same trail.
Thanks 🙂 And is there e-mtb option to Satorina and maybe to Sveto Brdo?
I’m looking for some spectacular, high-moutain feeling routes.
Not sure, for Šatorina or Sveto Brdo. Visočica and Vaganski are best for e-mtb. Vaganski only if you ride uphill and downhill on the same trail.
Thanks 🙂 Is there any option to the Satorina or maybe the Sveto Brdo routes for e-mtb also?