ISTRSKA EPSKA TURA: Od Hrastovelj do Žbevnice in Ušes Istre (54km | 1390m)

Exploring untouched Istria on two wheels – from historic Hrastovlje to the scenic Žbevnica and the natural wonders of Veli Badin. Join me on another unforgettable mountain biking adventure through Slovenian and Croatian Istria! This journey began in Hrastovlje, below the famous Church of the Holy Trinity (165 m), from where the path first led me to Veliki Gradež (507 m). But that was just the beginning. The route took me across the Rakitovec border crossing deep into the heart of Istria, where I conquered the peak of Žbevnica (1014 m). The views from the top are simply breathtaking and worth every drop of sweat! A technical and fast descent followed, a return to Slovenia, and a ride along the wild Movraž cycling trail. The highlight of the tour? The Veli Badin rock shelters, known as the "Ears of Istria." This natural landmark will leave you speechless, although the path there and onward towards St. Quiricus (408 m) requires excellent fitness and occasional bike-pushing. The tour concluded with an incredible descent through Gračišče and Kubed back to the starting point. Tour Stats: 📍 Distance: 54 km 📈 Total ascent: 1390 m 🏔️ Highest point: Žbevnica (1014 m) ⚠️ Difficulty: Demanding (includes "bike-pushing" sections) If you liked the video, don't forget to hit LIKE, leave a COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to the EMTB Nature channel for more cycling adventures! Subtitles: This video includes subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, and for those who don't understand Slovenian – you can automatically translate them into your own language. 00:00 Intro & Ascent to Veliki Gradež 03:09 Descent towards the border crossing 05:35 Rakitovec border crossing & Ascent to Žbevnica (1014 m) 12:46 Descent from Žbevnica back to Slovenia 19:04 Descent - Veli Badin (Ears of Istria) 23:53 Ascent to St. Quiricus 26:42 Epic descent to Gračišče 29:56 Descent to Hrastovlje, impressions & outro