Cycling
Vrbnik
Crossing the Vrbnik Field
Explore the outskirts of Vrbnik and learn about the famous counts of Krk
Karakteristike
Just the right trail for history buffs, who will certainly enjoy discovering Illyrian forts, estates of the Frankopan counts of Krk and the remains of medieval chapels and churches on the eastern side of the island, offering a view of the sea and Velebit. The town of Vrbnik, perched atop a 49-metre-high cliff and surrounded by medieval walls, will give you a warm welcome, while a labyrinth of narrow streets will tell you a 900-year-old story of its inhabitants: Glagolitic monks, poets, photographers, painters...
The coastal trail, a combination of an asphalt and a macadam road, will take you from Vrbnik to St Marek Cove, offering a view of beautiful coves and beaches where you can take a refreshing splash in the sea. Make sure to check out the only sandy beach on the island and the nearby St Marek peninsula with the remains of a medieval Church of St Mark. There you will find Roman tombs, iron weapons and pottery artefacts, while the remains of a rustic villa still lie under the sea.
The route continues with a more demanding uphill section to Risika, passing through the idyllic valley of the Vretenica stream, spanned by a bridge built during the French reign. Not far from the bike trail, you will find Gradec, a 12th-century castle hidden in the forest, which was the first estate of Krk’s noble family of Frankopan. Today in ruins, it was once the administrative, military and political centre of the island.
The trail continues in the direction of Garica and Kampelje, two quiet hamlets where you can escape the city’s hustle and bustle and enjoy in one of the refurbished stone houses. Just before the finish, you will be rewarded by a panoramic view of the Vrbnik Žlahtina fields. And there you are, back in Vrbnik, a town also known for being featured in many traditional songs. All you need to do now is treat yourself to a glass of supreme Vrbnik Žlahtina and a delicious dish in one of the local restaurants. This trail is intended for relatively fit cyclists with trekking bikes.
