KRK BIKE STORY – SPRING (15 – 16 April)

The island of Krk is an idyllic oasis that oozes positive energy. Within easy reach of any traveller, it is as appealing to those longing for relaxation and the seekers of active holidays. This year, the island’s amazing Krk Bike Story will once again offer a combination of sports, nature and gastronomy. So book a weekend in April and October, grab your bike and embark on a cycling adventure through the Golden Island’s stunning landscapes, from the sea to the Moon!

Take a break from all the hard work and hunt for Krk’s hidden treasures, ride into its impressive history to get the true feel of how the famous Frankopan Counts used to live, and treat your palate to traditional local dishes and Vrbnik Žlahtina wine. The island’s offer of cycling events will exceed all your expectations!

Baška, Punat i Krk

This year’s springtime bike tour will take you through the southern part of the island of Krk and tell you the stories of Baška, Punat and Krk Town. The first day of the weekend is reserved for a ride to the unique Vela Beach in Baška, the fascinating Moon Plateau, and endless drystone walls and mrgari sheepfolds – the incredible traditional architecture of local shepherds. Escorted by the curious looks of flocking sheep, we will continue towards the island’s oldest tree, the story of which dates back to the times of the Croatian King Krešimir. On our way back to Baška we will stop by the Church of St Lucy in Jurandvor and learn about the history of the Baška Tablet – one of the country’s most valuable monuments. Finally, you will get the chance to taste organic honey – a gift of nature produced on the slopes of Prvić Island, and enjoy a well-deserved lunch.
The next day we meet up in Punat, one of Croatia’s major nautical centres. We continue our cycling adventure through numerous olive groves and ‘paths of the golden drops’ that will take us to the town of Krk. Alongside its rich heritage dating back to the ancient times, you will learn about the secrets of the Frankopans, Croatia’s most powerful family in medieval times. After a visit to the Frankopan Castle and the Maritime Heritage Interpretation Centre we will cycle our way to the heart of the island and take a peek into the Salatić Castle before pausing for refreshments in Lakmartin to taste the superb cheeses produced on the Magriž family farm. Before reaching our final point in Punat, we will stop by the Three Crosses viewpoint to marvel the beautiful panorama of Punat Cove and the islet of Košljun. A visit to the Toš gallery and a toast to our next two-wheel adventure with some of the finest homemade liqueurs will be a perfect warmup for a tasty lunch.

Both tours are intended for active mountain bikers and anyone ready to tackle about 40 km of trails, with an ascent of up to 700 m.

Saturday, 15 April 2023

START/FINISH: Baška / in front of the Forza Heritage Hotel
(gathering at around 9:00 am, start at 10:00 am)

Length: 38 km
Total ascent: 750 m
Surface: 65% gravel road / 35% asphalt road
Category: MTB
Difficulty level: 3/5
Tour duration: 5 hours

ROUTE: Baška – Moon Plateau – panoramic trail underneath Hlam – Misučajnica – Treskavac – Baška Cove – along Vela Rika – Zarok – Baška

Sunday, 16 April 2023

START/FINISH:Punat / Trg zahvalnosti square
(gathering around 9:00 am, start at 10:00 am)

Length: 36 km
Total ascent: 670 m
Surface: 60% gravel road / 40% asphalt road
Category: MTB
Difficulty level: 3/5
Tour duration: 4 – 5 hours

ROUTE: Punat – Kornić – Krk – Kosić – Lakmartin – Kampelje – Misučajnica – Punat

Entry fee:
2 days = 30 euros
1 day = 20 euros

Entry fee includes: tour organisation, guidance and escort by licenced bike tour guides, lunch at the end of the tour, refreshment, tasting of local produce, visits to cultural attractions

Registration: www.entrio.hr

Registration deadline: 12 April 2023

Note: As this is a guided recreational and sight-seeing tour, not a race, some sections will include biking on local roads, which will not close for this purpose. For this reason, we urge all the participants to adhere to the Road Traffic Safety Act, follow the traffic rules and ride by the right-hand edge of asphalt roads, in a single file.

Obligatory equipment: bike (MTB or trekking), helmet, spare inner tube

In case of bad weather, the event will be cancelled or rescheduled. The entry fee will be valid for the autumn tour from 7 to 8 October or another date set by the organiser.

MTBs are available for rent at request, with prior announcement:
Bike Centre Krk: https://www.facebook.com/BikeCentarKrk
Bike guru Baška: https://bikeguru.info/
Zen adventures Baška: https://www.zenadventures.net/bike-ebike-rentals
Hidden Krk Baška: https://www.hiddenkrk.com/all-tours-and-activites?category=rentals
Partenca Matulji, e-bike rental: https://partenca.hr/bicikle/

KRK BIKE STORY – AUTUMN (7 – 8 October)
Vrbnik, Dobrinj, Omišalj & Malinska

The second chapter of our two-day cycling story takes us to the northern part of the island of Krk. On the second weekend of October, you will get to feast your eyes on the beautiful sites of Vrbnik, Dobrinj, Omišalj and Malinska. Our adventure starts from Vrbnik, the birthplace of Glagolitic culture and superb wine. On a pleasant ride through the island’s north-eastern coast we will see the ruins of an ancient church by St Marek Cove, and learn all about the benefits of the former saltworks and therapeutic mud in Soline Cove. While the Dobrinjština area will impress you with a stunning view of the Kvarner Gulf and the mountain peaks of Gorski kotar, a visit to the Gradec Castle will be a great opportunity to learn about the famous Frankopan Counts of Krk. Before returning to Vrbnik, we will pass through the wine-growing valley, the home of the golden Vrbnik Žlahtina wine, and enjoy a glass or two over lunch at the end of our day’s ride. The next morning starts with a tour of the charming Mediterranean villages and takes us to Omišalj, a quaint town of impressive history, before we head off to Rudine to explore the island’s underground treasure – Biserujka Cave. Once we get to Malinska you will hear all about the history of Dubašnica, and learn some interesting things about traditional shipbuilding at the DUBoak Maritime Heritage Interpretation Centre. One of the most beautiful coastal trails will lead us to Njivice, and finally to Omišalj.