Stari Grad - Sveti Nikola - Vrboska

The carriageway

Country: Croatia
Area name: The Island of Hvar
Activity: MTB
Date of the ride: 25-Mar-2011
Length (km): 59.7
Elevation gain (m): 1240
Technical difficulty: ●●
GPS tracklog: download

Overview of mountain biking route:

MTB route Stari Grad – Sveti Nikola – Vrboska is situated on The Island of Hvar. Sveti Nikola is the highest elevation point of The Island of Hvar. The peak & chapel Sveti Nikola is at elevation of 628 meters over the sea level. The view from Sveti Nikola is amazing. Brač, Korčula and many other islands can be seen from Sveti Nikola. The route includes the section from Pitve to Sveti Ante chapel. The route is fast and can be done in opposite direction too. All the sections are dry and rocky. Due to many unlabeled junctions the GPS unit with the uploaded route is a must for fast and safe navigation. The route can be combined with Jelsa – Hvar route.

Getting there: Europe, Croatia, Split, Stari Grad or Dubrovnik, Drvenik, Sućuraj, Jelsa, Stari Grad.

Map of mountain biking route:

Description of MTB route:

The starting point of MTB mountain bike route is in Stari Grad settlement. In Stari Grad proceed along the coast to the west course. At the ferry port turn left and at the labeled crossroad turn right to Brusje village direction. Keep the ride on the paved road for about 6.6km. Turn left at the junction and proceed on the rocky carriageway to the east course. The carriageway leads along the ridge of The Island of Hvar to Sveti Nikola peak. After few km Sveti Nikola peak can be seen on the south east course. The last section to Sveti Nikola is steep. The carriageway ends few hundred meters before Sveti Nikola peak and chapel. Leave the bicycle and hike to Sveti Nikola peak. From Sveti Nikola ride back to the first plateau and then turn right on the carriageway that leads to Poljica plateau. I explored the plateau in Zagvozd region and tried to find the trail to the east but it seems there is no way to ride more then this point. Few km before the end of the carriageway in Zagvozd there is a junction where you can descend on the rocky carriageway to Svirče. Pass near Sveti Benedikt chapel to Svirče, turn right and than proceed on the paved road to Vrisnik village. Ascend to Vrisnik and than turn right on the carriageway that leads to the church in Pitve village. From Pitve proceed to the entrance of the tunnel that leads to Zavala. Just before the entrance turn right on the wide unpaved road. This trail leads to Sveti Ante chapel. From Sveti Ante ride back on the same trail to Pitve and proceed on the carriageway to Jelsa settlement. In Jelsa ride on the paved road along the coast to Vrboska settlement. From Vrboska ride back to the south and than turn right on the wide road that leads back to Stari Grad. For more details check above interactive Map and below Gallery & Notes of the route.

Elevation profile of MTB route:

Elevation profile from Starigrad to Sv Nikola peak and Vrboska

Notes & references:

The route can be done in opposite direction too. Due to many unlabeled junctions the GPS unit with the uploaded route is a must for fast and safe navigation.

Best time for ride: winter, spring and fall. During summer time is very hot!

Gallery of mountain biking route: