Velika kosa

The Croatian coast near the small harbor town of Sveti Juraj offers exclusive beaches, and not just for bathers. The descent from Velika kosa is a long and very technical descent with magnificent views.

Description

The mountain bike tour starts in the picturesque little harbor town of Sveti Juraj, whose idyllic location gives you a taste of what the tour has to offer. The start is pleasant, with a moderate gradient that winds its way upwards over numerous perfectly designed serpentines. Even during the first ascent, there are magnificent views of the islands of Krk and Rab, nestled in the turquoise-blue Mediterranean Sea.

The route continues uphill, past the small village of Oltari and a war memorial, before turning right onto a narrower, also asphalted road just before the Oltari Pass at 1035 meters above sea level. This continues steadily up to the Velebit National Park, where an entrance ticket for the park is purchased at an altitude of around 1300 meters. The fee of €5 for three days helps with the maintenance of the park and the paths.

After a few more meters uphill, you reach the highest point of the tour at Velika kosa at 1622 meters. The view from here is stunning and offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands and far to the north. The subsequent trail down is initially of moderate difficulty (S1, S2), but becomes increasingly challenging and eventually reaches a level of S3 to S4. This challenge continues until you reach the asphalt again in Gornja Klada. Along the way, there are countless hairpin bends, trial-like sections and very rough terrain, which should not be underestimated in summer when the vegetation is dense. The descent requires full concentration and forgives no mistakes.

After reaching the end of the Rock Gardens in Gornja Klada, it feels almost strange to be riding on asphalt again. From here, you roll along the coastal road back to Sveti Juraj.

Especially in the summer months, the tour can be extremely hot in the lower sections. It is therefore advisable to carry plenty of water with you, as there are no water sources along the entire route.

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