5 – Blue and green Dalmatia
You will discover the history and tradition woven into the streets and squares that continue to amaze the passers-by in this charming place founded by fishermen and olive growers. However, for a slightly different, even better view, you will have to climb a little higher from the romantic Marina. Its Hinterland is a treasure trove of preserved nature, original traditions and autochthonous cuisine. Here you will be attracted by stone country houses, intrigued by the number of archaeological sites and sacred heritage spots, delighted by friendly hosts: all the ingredients that make up the perfect recipe for our route that takes you through the Marina hinterland all the way to Primošten. The heart of this small town, located on a former islet, which enchants with its view of little houses tangled in a network of alleys, at the highest point of which rises the bell tower of St. George’s church. Its bells arrived from Venice in 1930, and were dragged from the waterfront on wooden sledges. On the way back to the Marina, you will also discover the picturesque Rogoznica, on which Cape Planka the sea currents and winds collide, in the areas where the North and South Adriatic are intertwined.
Marina
80.7km
4h
Technical characteristics
The medium difficulty trail begins by riding along a straight road by the sea and leads all the way to Seget Donji, where you will find a 5.7 km long climb with an average gradient of 4.7% leading to Čarije. The 8 km long plain serves as a break before the following 2.5 km long climb which has an average gradient of 4.8% where the trail reaches its highest point at 440 metres above sea level. From this point until the end of the trail, there are no more demanding climbs, and the longest 7.2 km long descent on the trail begins, with an average gradient of -3.4% with several sharp bends. Special attention should be paid to the hairpin bends on the descent towards Grebaštica, where the maximum gradient reaches 9%. The rest of the trail leads along a straight road by the sea through charming villages back to the Marina. The first part of the trail is ridden on low-traffic roads in two lanes, while traffic density increases after Grebaštica. Physically this trail is moderately demanding and should not be a problem for cyclists who regularly ride their bikes 3-4 times a week. All gear ratios come into play.