Veli Vrj - Azbestoza

Anyone who thinks of Split and immediately pictures the sun and the sea might not necessarily expect enduro mountain biking and technical descents. The loop tour over Veli Vrj and the Azbestoza Trail, combined with natural trails, quickly turns that image on its head.

Description

The tour starts just north of Split, near Solin. At first, the route winds steadily uphill through urban areas on main and side roads before taking you through the karst landscape, which in places resembles the moon or scenes from the Winnetou movies. Riding on a mix of asphalt and gravel, you’ll reach Veli Vrh—where the military facility is located in the upper section—via moderate to gentle inclines. At the saddle, you have the option to continue up to the chapel or jump straight onto the trail. The view of the Mediterranean Sea and the urban coastal areas offers an unusual contrast.

Then the descent begins. Ranging in difficulty from S2 to S3, the trail winds steadily downhill on typical karst or limestone terrain through switchbacks to the Putalj mountain hut. Once there, you leave the hut behind and can either take the so-called Azbestoza Trail or the section that passes by the church. Overall, this section is also rated S2 in difficulty. Regarding the Azbestoza Trail, it should be noted that it was built a good 15 years ago, includes several engineering structures, and should be ridden with caution. Finally, you’ll return to paved surfaces, cross the main road, and ride along the coast back to the starting point.

Note: The route is very dry and can get extremely hot during the summer months, both on the uphills and downhills. Therefore, it should be done very early or very late.

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