Authentic, wild, and beautiful. The island of Cres. We will reveal to you a small part of Cres – just enough to make you want to come back again, and again, and again.
Destination
Authentic, wild, and beautiful. The island of Cres.
Being the largest island in Croatia, it’s nearly impossible to capture everything it offers within a single Epic Rides. Which is more than enough reason to plan an entire Epic Rides weekend on this unique island at the end of September. Because Cres truly has a lot to offer, and even more to explore and experience.
For those who love swimming and beach holidays, Cres offers countless stunning beaches and coves where, even in the peak of summer, you’ll be alone or accompanied by only a few fellow explorers. Some are reachable by road, others by gravel paths, some by goat trails, and many only by boat.
For lovers of history and ancient times, it’s fascinating to know that Cres was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period (5,000 BC), and that through turbulent centuries it changed rulers many times – Greeks, Romans, Goths, Franks, Venetians, the Habsburgs, Italians, and finally Croats, who have been here since the 7th century.
Those who enjoy authentic historical experiences will find their place in the towns of Cres and Osor, but perhaps even more in the small, today sparsely populated villages with thousand-year histories. Lubenice may be the most famous (a village over 4,000 years old), but if you study the map a bit, you’ll discover other gems where entering feels like stepping centuries back in time.
For gastronomy enthusiasts, Cres has much to say. Cres lamb, together with Pag lamb (the author’s subjective opinion), is probably the best you can taste in Croatia, despite strong competition from Krk, Brač, and Lika. The unique diet of wild aromatic herbs that lambs graze on, as well as special local preparation methods, give this island lamb a special status. And when it comes to olives, home-grown vegetables and fruit, and seafood specialties, there’s hardly any need to mention them.
For those who love nature, the whole island feels like one enormous botanical garden and safari park. Lake Vrana stands out as a unique freshwater lake on an island, whose bottom lies below sea level (a natural cryptodepression). In the northern part of the island lies the Tramuntana forest – unique for its varieties of ancient oaks, some over 500 years old, and home to a small natural reserve of wild animals such as fallow deer, wild boars, hares, roe deer, martens, and badgers. Above them, the magnificent griffon vultures glide through the sky, keeping ecological balance not only on Cres but throughout Kvarner. For the wildlife under the sea – see the food and wine section.
For those who love cycling on the islands, the choice is clear: Epic Rides Cres.
We will show you a small piece of Cres, just enough to make you want to come back again, and again, and again.
Route
If we had to describe the Epic Rides Cres route in one phrase, it would be - “poison comes in small bottles.”
Because the route is too short to show everything the island has to offer, yet it’s stunning in terms of experiences, views, scents, and cycling adventure, while at the same time partly bumpy and challenging.
Right from the start, you ride along the sea, and everyone will think it’s worth stopping right away to take a swim in that beautiful blue. Then a slightly steeper climb will surprise you, and the view of the open sea on one side and the bay and town of Cres on the other will make you stop and snap a few photos.
You’ll ride through forests, pastures, villages, and hamlets. On gravel paths, narrow roads, through dry stone walls, along old Roman roads.
The chirping of cicadas, the bleating of sheep, and the buzzing of bees, mixed with the sound of wind and silence.
Epic Rides Cres is certainly one of the most attractive, shortest, but not the easiest of the Epic Rides.
One where all your senses work at full speed.
One not to be missed.
And two important notes:
The specificity of the island of Cres are “lese” - wooden gates found all over the island, especially in this area where Epic Rides takes place. Their main purpose is to keep sheep from wandering where they shouldn’t, and it’s very important to emphasize - they must remain closed.
So, when you come to a “lesa,” open it, pass through, and be sure to close it again.
We’re here only for one day and as guests, so please try to leave as little trace behind as possible.
The second note concerns the combination of the island’s terrain and your bikes, or rather your tires.
The vegetation on the island is typical of the coast, which in this case means there are thorny plants with small spikes that just love puncturing cyclists’ tires. They’re most often found in the middle of gravel roads (that “grassy” part between the wheel tracks), so avoid riding in the middle of gravel paths and make sure to bring spare tubes.
NOTE: The Epic Rides route is carefully designed with the principle that the route never exceeds 50 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain (combined). Also, there are no technically demanding sections, and if, due to terrain configuration, they cannot be avoided, they are short, can be walked, and are additionally marked on the trail itself.
Meeting point: TOWN OF CRES
Start time: 11:00
*The organizer reserves the right to change the event program and schedule.
Because the route is too short to show everything the island has to offer, yet it’s stunning in terms of experiences, views, scents, and cycling adventure, while at the same time partly bumpy and challenging.
Right from the start, you ride along the sea, and everyone will think it’s worth stopping right away to take a swim in that beautiful blue. Then a slightly steeper climb will surprise you, and the view of the open sea on one side and the bay and town of Cres on the other will make you stop and snap a few photos.
You’ll ride through forests, pastures, villages, and hamlets. On gravel paths, narrow roads, through dry stone walls, along old Roman roads.
The chirping of cicadas, the bleating of sheep, and the buzzing of bees, mixed with the sound of wind and silence.
Epic Rides Cres is certainly one of the most attractive, shortest, but not the easiest of the Epic Rides.
One where all your senses work at full speed.
One not to be missed.
And two important notes:
The specificity of the island of Cres are “lese” - wooden gates found all over the island, especially in this area where Epic Rides takes place. Their main purpose is to keep sheep from wandering where they shouldn’t, and it’s very important to emphasize - they must remain closed.
So, when you come to a “lesa,” open it, pass through, and be sure to close it again.
We’re here only for one day and as guests, so please try to leave as little trace behind as possible.
The second note concerns the combination of the island’s terrain and your bikes, or rather your tires.
The vegetation on the island is typical of the coast, which in this case means there are thorny plants with small spikes that just love puncturing cyclists’ tires. They’re most often found in the middle of gravel roads (that “grassy” part between the wheel tracks), so avoid riding in the middle of gravel paths and make sure to bring spare tubes.
NOTE: The Epic Rides route is carefully designed with the principle that the route never exceeds 50 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain (combined). Also, there are no technically demanding sections, and if, due to terrain configuration, they cannot be avoided, they are short, can be walked, and are additionally marked on the trail itself.
Meeting point: TOWN OF CRES
Start time: 11:00
*The organizer reserves the right to change the event program and schedule.
EPIC RIDES
Distance: 43.1 km
Ascent: 760 m
Offroad: 58 %
SHORT
Distance: 32.7 km
Ascent: 550 m
Offroad: 69 %
Event info
Where is the START located?
Start location: Ulica Lungo mare Svetog Mikule 7, Grad Cres
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