ITINERARY

DAY 1 (saturday)

Rijeka - Šilo
The meeting point is at the parking lot in front of Rijeka railway station at 3 PM. After a brief introduction a shuttle transfer will take you to Šilo on Krk Island. Upon arrival you may take some time to relax in your room or take a walk around Šilo. The detailed pre-tour briefing will be later in the evening with a group dinner preparation where you can learn how to prepare a traditional Krk meal (janjeći žgvacet sa šurlicama - lamb stew with home made pasta). Overnight stay in Šilo.

DAY 2 (sunday)

Šilo – Klimno – Meline – Biserujka Cave – Lake Njivice – Njivice – Sužan – Dobrinj – Šilo

Distance: 30 km (biking)
Breakfast and briefing. Your ride will start with the scenic coastal trail from Šilo to Klimno and then along the road to Meline Beach in the Bay of Soline, famous for its healing mud. Here you can wallow in the mud, take a swim or just relax in the sun. Cycling continues via Rudine to Biserujka Cave where you will take a guided tour of this characteristic karst landscape phenomenon. From there your trail ride goes through quickly changing harsh rocky landscapes and gentle meadows with grazing cows and horses along Lake Njivice. Time for a short break and possible refreshments in nearby Njivice, once a village of fishermen and today one of the main resorts on the island. The trail ride continues over the hills with magnificent views of Rijeka and the northern part of the Kvarner Gulf to the scenic view of the Soline Bay in the village of Sužan. From Sužan the trail riding changes to easy cycling and after Sveti Ivan Dobrinjski to a demanding uphill cross country ride towards Dobrinj. The town of Dobrinj lies on top of a 200 m high hill and is the administrative centre of one of the island’s municipalities. Here you will have lunch at an old square restaurant and some free time to explore this picturesque town by yourself. Return to Šilo by shuttle or by bike (6 km). Overnight stay in Šilo.

DAY 3 (monday)

Šilo – Cape Šilo – Žestilac – Risika – Vrbnik – Risika – Gostinjac – Polje – Šilo

Distance: 30 km (biking)
Breakfast and briefing. Cycle first to Cape Šilo to see a lighthouse and a tuna watchtower (tunera) – traditional ladder-like observation platform fishermen once used in search for tuna fish. Cape Šilo is also the point from which the entire eastern shores of the island of Krk can be seen. In a few minutes of trail riding you will get to the remnants of a Byzantine fort, a place which offers another great view. From there the ride continues through olive groves uphill to Žestilac, followed by easy cycling to Risika and a quick descent to the coast and a sandy beach with nearby ruins of the Church of St. Mark. After a short break you will continue on the scenic coastal trail to Vrbnik. There are a couple of beaches along the trail, so it’s possible to take a swim and relax in the sun. Lunch will be in Vrbnik in a traditional local restaurant with wine tasting of the famous local wine called Vrbnička Žlahtina. The old town of Vrbnik was built on a cliff above the sea in a distinctive architectural style. This is the place where you may take a stroll through the second narrowest street in the world. It’s also a great place to search for local products, wines or souvenirs. All purchased goods can be left in our shuttle and will be delivered to your apartment. On the way back to Šilo, the cycling route will take you through the famous Vrbnik vineyards and the villages of Risika, Gostinjac and Polje. Overnight stay in Šilo.

DAY 4 (tuesday)

Šilo – Chapel of St. Vitus – Gabonjin – Porat – Milohnići – Krk

Distance: 36 km (biking)
Breakfast and briefing. Today’s first cycling leg is the most demanding one as it runs through ascending terrain, so the first resting point will be just 5 km from Šilo, by the Chapel of St. Vitus, built in the twelfth century. The ascent continues for the next 3 km to the village of Kras, the highest settlement on the island (266 m MSL). After Kras, in the village of Gabonjin you will see the Park of the Glagolitic Alphabet and the Trail of Glagolitic Writers. The Glagolitic alphabet is the oldest known Slavic and Croatian script and one of Krk’s trademarks. A trail ride will lead you up to the Church of St. Peter, which is the highest point of the northern part of the island, from where you have an excellent view of the Krk island and the Kvarner Gulf. From there, a cross country trail goes downhill to the main road, followed by an easy cycling descent to Porat near Malinska, one of the most beautiful little ports of the Kvarner Gulf, where you can have refreshments or take a swim and relax on one of the beaches nearby. After the break, a trail ride will take you to the Fumak overlook lookout (61 m MSL) with a crucifix, which is also a sign-post for fishermen and seamen and a rugged cross country trail further on to Milohnići. A short stop on the way will be at the Church of St. Chrysogonus, built between the sixth and twelfth century. There will be a stop in the Milohnići – Poljica area for lunch at a konoba - a traditional restaurant. After lunch it’s time to go to the city of Krk, your next port of call. From here on, the ride will be easy, following the main road and a trail through the woods and olive groves. Arrival in Krk and overnight stay.

DAY 5 (wednesday)

Krk + trip to Rijeka
(no biking today)
Breakfast in Krk. A shuttle trip to Rijeka will depart around noon so free time in the morning can be spent on sightseeing, shopping or beach time. Rijeka is the largest Croatian port and after Zagreb and Split the third most populated city in Croatia. It’s a city of great history, commerce, industry and culture. After the guided city tour and lunch in one of the traditional Mediterranean restaurants, you may continue sightseeing on your own, go shopping or have a cup of coffee at one of the caffes on Korzo, the central street in Rijeka. Return to Krk is in the evening, followed by overnight stay in Krk.

DAY 6 (thursday)

Krk – Punat – Stara Baška – Batomalj – Baška

Distance: 18 km (biking) + 7 km (hiking)
Breakfast and briefing in Krk. Cycling to Dunat and then along the Punat Bay with a view of the islet of Košljun. A visit to to the islet and its Franciscan monastery from the fifteenth century can be arranged on the spot if you are interested. A brief stop in Punat for optional refreshments or beach time. From Punat cycling to Stara Baška goes pretty much uphill, crossing the 45th parallel up to the pass with a magnificent scenic view of many Kvarner islands. A rewarding view filled descent follows to Stara Baška where you can find some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. After lunch and beach time it’s time to leave the bikes and take a walking trail over the hill to Baška (2 to 3 hours). You will see trees and shrubs alongside sparse vegetation of the harsh stone landscape with old stone walls. But even in this barren land you may find some of the very important medicinal plants and culinary herbs, such as common sage. All herbs and shrubs are protected in Croatia and picking them is strictly prohibited. On the way you may also see mrgari – a flower-shaped sheepfolds, masterpieces of the native architecture. Similar sheepfolds can be found only in Scotland and Ireland. Landscape on the top is very much moon-like. The descent goes through the village of Batomalj, where harsh stone scenery is replaced by the woods. Arrival and overnight stay in Baška.

DAY 7 (friday)

Baška – Plateau of the Moon – Spring Žanac – Draga Bašćanska - Jurandvor - Baška
Distance: 26 km (biking)
Breakfast and briefing in Baška. Continuing uphill to the church of St. John and the Moon Plateau. From there you may enjoy in a magnificent view on the Baška Bay and the neighbouring islands of Prvić, Rab, Cres and Lošinj. Cycling through the Southeastern Plateau. The optional ride is to the Diviška Pond, a watering place for sheep and wild animals. This cross country ride will take you through a desolate but contrasting landscape, ranging from stone desert to pastures and woodlands. Downhill to Žanac Spring. Depending on the season, the Vela Rika Waterfall can be visited on the way.  Continuing  on the picturesque cycling path through the Baška Valley and Draga Bašćanska to Jurandvor. Cycling  path is marked by stone sculptures displaying the individual letters of the Glagolitic alphabet (Baška Glagolitic Path). Then you will visit the Baška Tablet Museum in the Abbey of St. Lucia. This is the place where the Baška Tablet, the first national document in Croatian history, was found. We continue cycling along the Vela Rika Creek to Vela Plaža and Zarok in Baška. The cycling part of your tour is now over. Late lunch in Baška. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, go to the old town and take a walk on the promenade. Overnight stay in Baška.

DAY 8 (saturday)

Baška – Bunculuka – Vela Luka – Mala Luka

Distance: 8 km (hiking), return by boat
Breakfast and briefing in Baška. Today’s hiking trail goes from Baška to Mala Luka Bay. From Bunculuka naturist camp there are two optional routes, one shorter and easier and the other longer and more demanding but also more attractive. The first trail goes over the hill straight to the Vela Luka Bay. The second trail follows the coast with some of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic but requires a demanding ascent through the picturesque canyon of Vela Vrženica. After a steep descent to Vela Luka you may find refreshments at a restaurant on the beach. You can also take a swim and relax on the beach. After the break the hiking continues to the scenic fort of Corinthia, with magnificent views of Vela Luka and Mala Luka. The descent to Mala Luka leads through the remnants of a Roman settlement from the fourth century. In Mala Luka you will have a home cooked lunch prepared by a traditional fisherman’s family and free time to spend on the beach. Return to Baška will be by boat. Overnight stay in Baška.

And that completes the final day of your Krk Adventure. After breakfast the next morning (sunday) a shuttle transfer will take you to Rijeka to the same meeting place at the railway station for your trip home.