Karst and Coast Weekend A short blast over some great Slovenian single track!

Intro

Nowadays time is getting shorter and shorter and we all tend to condense all of our free time activities into two long days at the end of the week. This a the perfect weekend package and we can assure you that it is a true all in one package – action, relaxation, flow and good times – on the trails, naturally. We can promise you that the trails, the country’s charisma and Slovenia’s tiny coastline will not leave you wanting and will leave you with an experience to remember!

FITNESS/SKILL LEVEL

All the rides have an intermediate degree of difficulty, so we recommend class 3/5 fitness, meaning that you are able to cycle uphill for a maximum of 1.45 h at a moderate pace and can climb at 10% gradient in a comfortable gear.
When the trails point downwards, our clients need to have a good command of their mountain bike over moderately technical terrain, including roots, occasional steeps and rocky terrain.

FITNESS SKILL Self-assess Tour Grade

Package

Group size: Min 4 persons
Accommodation: 3 x nights at Old School Hostel in Korte
Activities: 2 days mountain biking with experienced licensed guides
Price includes: 3 days breakfast and dinner, 2 days lunch, transportation in air-conditioned van with bike roof rack or trailer, use of workshop for repairs, sightseeing as desired, information about the surrounding areas plus second to none service with passionate staff!
Price excludes: Flights, airport transfers, bike hire, personal clothing and equipment, snacks between meals

KEY INFORMATION

Equipment you should bring: Mountain bike (or hire from us),and biking gear, recreational clothing and footwear
Number of participants: Min 4 or reduced number by prior arrangement
Meeting point: Old School Hostel in Korte
Reservation: Advance booking is required – we recommend a min 8 weeks notice
Availability: 3rd to 6th April and 9th to 12th Oct 2015

Itinerary

Day 1: ALL THE TRAILS OF EDGE OF KARST

The world renowned climbing area at Osp and kilometers of singletrack infuse Slovenia’s last valley before the sea with a spirit of adventure that shines brightest in spring and autumn.

The first road climb leads us up along the border between Slovenia and Italy to the ancient castle of Socerb that reigns atop a cliff overlooking the bay of Trieste. Socerb’s rock is part of the Karst Edge, a 20 km long limestone cliff with trails running both ways along the top and bottom. After we take in the view, a winding trail through pine groves brings us down to the picturesque village of Osp.

An hour’s pedal up a forest road takes us to the top of the near by hill and the starting point of our second descent. The trail starts in the middle of a lovely village atop the 380 m hill and takes us down a fun and very diverse bit of singletrack. After returning to the village of Osp, we sit down for a hearty meal at a homely local restaurant. The day usually ends with a soak of our tired legs in the Adriatic Sea and a cold pint at the Debeli Rtič peninsula.

Day 2: COASTLINE BLITZ

There are two hills that provide the backdrop to the Slovenian coastline. They are not particularly imposing or high, but our local friends took the time to furnish them with some unforgettable man-made singletrack: berms, cute little jumps and clay that provides excellent grip when combined with local bedrock. The day takes us through several fun packed three hundred meter climbs and descents that usually lead to some hiking and replaying of favourite trail sections. After a hard day of riding we will attempt to find out if there is any truth to the claim of the region being known as the home of olive oil, truffles and excellent red wine.

FAQ’s

MEETING POINT

We meet on Friday at 16.00 in Hostel Stara šola in Korte. Transfers from Airports Ljubljana, Klagenfurt, Trieste, Venice and other places in Slovenia are possible but subject to prior arrangement and surcharge. For information about transfers please phone 017687 75337 or mob: 07796 263309 or email: tony@activusoutdoors.co.uk

WHAT KIND OF BIKE DO I NEED?

The best bike for this trip is a good all mountain or enduro bike with at least 120 mm of travel. The bike should not weigh more than 16 kilos as there is quite a bit of uphill riding. Hardtails are always an option, provided your knees and back can take the punishment.

SPARE PARTS FOR MY BIKE?

Most bicycle spares and components are available for purchase in bike shop Positive sports in Kobarid. But, to set your mind at ease, we recommend you bring the following set of spares with you:

rear derailleur hanger
one set of brake pads
chain (if your bike chain is older than 6 months)
2 inner tubes (with the appropriate valve)
2 spokes (appropriate lengths for your wheelset)
Shock pump (particularly if you ride a Cannondale:) )

You can also do away with worrying about spares altogether and rent a bike for the week.

CAN I RENT A BIKE?

Sure! We have a number of Specialized, Trek and GT bikes available for rent. For a full list of bikes, sizes and pricing, contact tony@activusoutdoors.co.uk. Bikes can be reserved upon booking to eliminate any chance of not having a bike ready and waiting for you when you arrive – check out options and prices: 2015rental

WHAT CLOTHING DO YOU RECOMMEND?

With the exception of May and October, weather in Slovenia is rather stable and not too cold. Expected temperatures in May and October are between 10 and 25 C and temperatures between June and September are between 15 and 30 C. Packing rain gear is always good as we cannot guarantee the weather.

PACKING LIST

Clothing and accessories:

at least two cycling jerseys with short sleeves and one with long sleeves
padded bike shorts
bike helmet
knee pads (elbow pads optional)
sunglasses
bike gloves
rainproof jacket and pants
warm “civilian” clothing (fleeces, pants …)
swimsuit, towel
sunscreen and insect repellent
personal hygiene set (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo…)

Your riding backpack should carry at least:

2 liters of fluid/day (hydration bladder or plastic bottles)
1 spare inner tube (appropriate valve)
tools
pump

Plus any other stuff you can’t ride without!

WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND MEALS?

All the meals of a full board package (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included in the package and need not be paid separately. Breakfast and dinner are part of the half-board lodging option at each hotel. Only snacks are packed for the trails as each day includes a stop at a specially selected local restaurant, serving local home made food. The places where we eat are just as important as the trails and have been selected for their friendly atmosphere and range of foods characteristic for the area. We kindly ask our guests to report any special nutritional requirements in advance (vegetarians, gluten free …) so we can notify the hotels and restaurants accordingly.

CASH AND EXPENSES

The official currency in Slovenia is the Euro €. Additional costs you may encounter during your stay includes souvenirs, drinks in bars, massage treatments in hotels, etc. Most places allow payments by credit card, but we recommend you visit an ATM machine and pay in cash. Tipping is welcome (if you are satisfied with the service), but not mandatory. The usual tip is around 10% of the bill.

EXTENDING YOUR STAY IN SLOVENIA?

Slovenian Adventure Holidays can take care of any additional activities and adventures you may choose to embark upon, and our office can also help you find lodging and activities with dependable agencies and friends in neighbouring countries. Email: tony@activusoutdoors.co.uk

Booking Enquiry

Price from: £325

CALL: 017687 75337

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Accommodation: Old School House – Korte

In the Slovenian part of the Adriatic coastline, above the cities of Portorož, Piran and Izola, lies the recently renovated Old School Hostel in Korte. Located in a newly refurbished traditional building, the Hostel reflects the character of one of the first Slovenian schools in this area. The air-conditioned and colourfully styled rooms provide for a comfortable stay and optimal relaxation after a day of biking through the picturesque natural surroundings.