Veli Badin (Orecchie dell'Istria)

Continually up and down trail on asphalt and dirt with often steep ramps and only one descent on very challenging, partially cyclable trail.

Start from Kubed (SLO), pass Gracisce and climb with medium gradient and some steeper ramps on dirt road on the plateau with the highest point of Gradec peak until you come in sight of the distinctive rock formations Veli Badin (ears of Istria), proceed on easy downhill trail to the next junction with trail that climbs around the promotorio and briefly leads to the rocks. Reachable in a few minutes on foot, very picturesque. You descend back to the outward path and cross the dirt road to begin the longest and steepest climb of the tour, just over 1km around 20 percent gradient on rough dirt, at the limit of cyclability, and then reach the asphalt, cross it and climb slightly to pedal on the grassy, dirt plateau on the other side of the valley, whose Veliki Gradez summit provides a nice view. Continue on a dirt road to a junction with a path that drops off slightly to the right and shortly after a second junction where you descend steeply to the right over boulders, then moving rocks (scree) that is not very cyclable for a few switchbacks until you cross an up-and-down dirt road to follow to the left. The asphalt is reached and in a short time to close the loop.

27km - Asphalt 30% - Dirt road 10% - Trails 60% - Physical condition: medium challenging. Technical difficulty: medium challenging.