Istria Single Trails

Intro

The Medieval town of Grožnjan – the town of artists and music and in this weekend mountain bikers. A hillock surrounded by terraced olive groves and vineyards is actually a sandstone elevation formed by two streams, Kanistran and Pistion, cutting their way through the terrain. The surrounding countryside boasts exceptional terrain and singletrails that are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of the most demanding trail hunter. And then there is the Mediterranean atmosphere, gentle climate and kind locals that are sure to win you over. Are you ready for an unforgettable enduro experience?

FITNESS SKILL Self-assess Tour Grade

Package

Group size: Min 4 persons
Accommodation: 3 x nights at Villa Stanzia Cocci
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: Villa Stanzia Cocci
Reservation: Booking in advance is required – we recommend a min 8 weeks notice
Availability: 8th to 11th May, 23rd to 26th Oct and 13th to 16th Nov 2015

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

Arrival day – check in to your accommodation followed by trip briefing with your biking guide.

DAY 2: BIKING

After morning coffee in one of Grožnjan’s bars, we will get to know the trails in the surrounding area in great details. Most of the climbs will be taken care of courtesy of the bike shuttle. Many of the trails we will be riding are used as stages for a SLO Enduro Series race http://www.sloenduro.com/?lang=en, so they have all the attributes a trail should have to appease top competitors – fast, technical, rocky and flow sections. After a tough day’s riding, we will fuel up with some local prosciutto and wine.
The evening will be spent relaxing at the villa of http://stanziacocci.com/.

DAY 3: BIKING

Following a hearty breakfast at the villa, we will set off to explore the remaining trails in the area under our own steam. Cross country trails combined with some of the trails we got to know in day 1 make up a phenomenal day in the Grožnjan countryside. In the afternoon we take a stroll through the ancient town of Grožnjan to stretch our legs and then pack up into the van, drive to the coastal town of Novigrad and jump in the sea. An evening BBQ in the summer kitchen of our villa is the cherry on our weekend cake.

Day 4: DEPARTURE

Depart after breakfast for the airport and your flight home.

FAQ’s

MEETING POINT

We meet on Friday at 16.00 in Villa Stanzia Cocci 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: £375

CALL: 017687 75337

You May Also be Interested In

Karst and Coast Weekend

Emerald River Delight

Koroška Biking Break

Single Trail Heaven

Flow Chicken

Discovering the Slovenian Alps

The Best Singletrack

Luxury accommodation at Villa Stanzia Cocci

Stanzia Cocci – Tradition and heritage with a touch of luxury

More than 200 years old, provides its visitors with tradition and privacy with a touch of luxury. The villa is located on a beautiful estate of 7 acres, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and forests. Is has been renovated only recently, keeping the original appearance and the traditional elements of Istrian architectural legacy, with a purpose of providing complete comfort to its guests.