Sinjal peak at elevation of 1831m over the see level is the highest peak of Croatia. The peak is situated on Kninska Dinara mountain in the south part of Croatia near the border line with Bosnia and Herzegovina. I planed this all mountain ride in the fall of 2006.The winter was without snow and I decided to start the route on 16-Dec-2006. It was the first documented ride on the summit of Croatia. At the elevation over 1500m, most of the time I carried the bike. The downhill section from Sinjal peak to Glavaš village is very risky. Due to the expected effort for the ascent I was not able to carry all accessories for downhill. On some sections the ride isn’t possible. All sections of the trail is dry and rocky. Overall, there are no many ups and downs on the trail a long up and a long down only. The section near Sinjal peak and the downhill section from Sinjal to Glavaš village is recommended only to the experienced all mountain riders.

 

Getting there: Europe, Croatia, Zagreb, Knin.
 

Map of mountain biking route:

 
My Map of the route:

 
 
Description of MTB route

 
The mountain bike route starts in Knin city at the crossroad of Knin – Bosansko Grahovo road and the road coming from Krčić canyon. From the crossroad the trail proceeds in the direction to Bosansko Grahovo. Near Guge village turn right across the village. At the end of the village there is a labeled crossroad with the labeled sign for Brezovac Hut. Turn right on unpaved road in the direction to the Kninska Dinara – Brezovac Hut. The road proceeds to the Suvo Polje plateau where are the crossroad and the resting place named Markov Grob. Proceed on the carriageway to the north course. The carriageway continues to the north along the west edge of the valley named Golubičko Suvo polje and at the end proceeds to the west between Lazaret saddle and Badanj summit along Maglovljeve Livade plateau to the Brezovac valley. Above the valley on the west side is Brezovac Hut. Near the hut there is a water tank (take some cord to reach the water). From the hut follows a steep ascent to the Duler valley. Take the rest on Duler valley, it’s the nice view from this point. The carriageway proceeds with a steep ascent above Duler valley near the north west side of the summit named Bukvin Vrh. The elevation is around 1500m over the see level. From this point there is a labeled hiking singletrack to the Sinjal peak. The ride isn’t possible and the bike must be carried to Sinjal peak at elevation of 1831m over the see level. At the peak there is a trig point. The downhill section is a singletrack from the peak to the Glavaš village. First part of the section wasn’t signed very well so be careful to follow red/white labels because the track is hard visible on some sections. On the first section it is necessary to carry and hike with the bike until the elevation of around 1500m over the see level. From this elevation the risky ride is possible but not all the time. The singletrack descends near the ruins of Glavaš tower to the Glavaš village. Just before Glavaš village hiking is possible only. From Glavaš village the trail proceeds to Kijevo village via paved road. About 1 kilometer from Glavaš village there is a crossroad again. Turn right to the Validžići village. From the village there is unpaved road to the Kijevo village. In Kijevo village the trail proceeds on main highway to the Knin. Around 3 km from Kijevo village there is a crossroad. Leave the paved road and turn right on the unpaved road along the Krčić canyon. Proceed straight on all crossroads and keep the course along Krčić canyon. The unpaved road proceeds back to the starting point in Knin. For more details check above interactive map and below elevation profile & Gallery of the route.

 

Elevation profile of MTB route:

 

Notes & references: UST tires with the sealant are recommended. The route is recommended during Summer or Fall. Before the ride check the snow & wind conditions. During summer time take at least 2,5 liters of water.
 
Gallery of mountain biking route: