Krk – Kimpi and Kaštel – Kosići – Vrh – Picik – Sv. Juraj – Krk (northwestern hinterland of the city of Krk)

This exceptionally dynamic intermediate trail is intended for mountain bikers and is full of surprises.

The route starts in Krk (outside the sports centre) and first skirts round the Kimpi pond, then passes through the picturesque agricultural conglomerates of Kimpi and Kaštel, a fertile area where local producers grow their food crops, which you can try in the nearby catering establishments. However, the Kimpi and Kaštel fields also catch the eye because of two cultural and historical landmarks: the remains of the Chapel of St. Anastasia and Salatići Castle. Both aforementioned sites overlook the village of Salatići close to the cycling trail. Trees obscure the stone remains of the Chapel of St. Anastasia, which was first attested in the first half of the 14th century and is associated with the abandoned settlement of Brajde, while the next archaeological specimen is the so-called Salatići Castle, an impressive stone edifice almost entirely draped in ivy, which is assumed to have been the country home of some Krk noble family.

While passing through the villages of Kosići and Vrh, which are dominated by the monumental Parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel, cyclists can sample authentic local specialities, in particular Krk prosciutto – the first Croatian product registered at the EU level, which the Žužić family that run the House of Krk Prosciutto will gladly offer. (The production of this delicacy is limited exclusively to Krk Island. It is a preserved cured meat product made from pork leg, without bones, dry-brined with sea salt and spices, air-dried without smoking and subjected to drying and ageing for at least a year. The distinctiveness of Krk prosciutto stems from its age-old reputation, as well as the skill and craft of the producer, who exclusively uses traditional recipes during production.)

Upon exiting the village of Vrh, while taking Bok od Brozića Street, attentive drivers will surely notice, and perhaps even sense, the KuSshh plantation crops, where aromatic plants and herbs, olives and fruit trees are grown, harvested and processed. Cycling is resumed surrounded by soothing verdancy overlooking Valbiska Bay as a meditative view unfurls towards the sea and the islands of Plavnik, Cres and Rab, with another must-visit gastro destination on the way – Dvori Sv. Jurja agritourism. During the last stage, on the return to Krk, you will ride through revitalised olive groves, which are characterised by and renowned for the numerous “gromače” – a type of dry stone wall built from unhewn stones and lain without binders, which were used in the past for surrounding properties to mark borders.

Highlights:

– Kimpi pond

– remains of the Chapel of St. Anastasia

– Salatići Castle

– Parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Kosići

– House of Krk Prosciutto, Vrh

– KuSshh plantation, Vrh

– Dvori Sv. Jurja agritourism

– dry stone wall architecture – “gromače”