Via Apsyrtides
STAGE 3
PREDOŠĆICA - CRES
STAGE 3
PREDOŠĆICA - CRES
MODERATE
From the village Predošćica, dating back from medieval times and named after its location on the windswept ridge “in front of the valley” (Croatian for “pred dolom”), to the beautiful vineyards north of the town of Cres lies an area of open pastures, where sheep used to graze probably even as early as the days of the Liburnians. The memory of the first inhabitants is also kept alive in the sites traditionally known as “gračišća”, such as Velo Gračišće, situated at the highest point (562 m) of this part of the island. Further south of Nova Lokva, on the Planis plateau (lat. planus = flat), the 45th parallel cuts through the island, representing an imaginary line separating the “cold North” from the “warm South”. Sure enough, as we descend further south there is an ever-increasing presence of evergreen Mediterranean vegetation, which then turns into a “humanized landscape” of a thick network of olive groves around the town of Cres.
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11 km
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220 m
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HIGHEST POINT: 526 m
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LOWEST POINT : 0 m
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DIFFICULTY: 5/10
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DURATION: 4 h
DIFFICULTY
LANDSCAPE
ENDURANCE
EXPERIENCE
CRES SHEEP
The Cres sheep is an indigenous sheep breed of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago, which has probably not changed all that much since ancient times. These lively, small (up to 40 kg) and long-legged sheep spend their whole life under the open sky, grazing among the pasture parcels or the vast communal pasture areas (locally known as “komunada”). They have long been raised for their delicious meat, whereas milking was reserved only for the herds closer to the settlements. Their coarse wool was once used to make raša, a rough waterproof material greatly valued in Venice.
NAPOLEON’S ROAD
Up until the end of the 18th century, the only roads on the major part of Cres were horse trails. It was the French, during their short-lived rule, that first started building a proper road, covered with cobbles and secured with curbs and transverse rows of rocks, just like it was done in ancient times. The route from Cres to Križić was never finished, but has been preserved in its original form for the fact that it was simply bypassed by the new (today’s) route across Predošćica and Vodice.
OLIVE GROVES OF CRES
The olive groves around the town of Cres are the largest on the island. Around 130,000 trees of the indigenous varieties of “Plominka” and “Simjaca” (“Slivnjača”) are still cultivated today, existing in a unique symbiosis with the sheep grazing among their rows. The oil obtained from these olives has been well-known for its quality and authenticity since the days of the Republic of Venice. Ever since the modern oil mill opened its doors in 1940, it has been used for processing all the olives grown on Cres. The old, traditional oil mills, as many as 20 of them in the town of Cres alone, have been left behind.
SHARE THIS TRAIL
• Via Apsyrtides trail system is intended for experienced mountain climbers and recreationists. The trails provide a basic level of walkability, without additional measures of safety and protection. Use these trails at your own risk!
• Rugged landscape and climatic conditions of the island can be challenging. Assess your fitness level well and wear appropriate footwear and clothing!
• Water availability in some villages is limited. Carry enough water with you!
• Your responsibility is to follow the laws and regulations of the Republic of Croatia related to nature protection, accommodation and respect for other people’s property.
• Leave only footprints, take only memories! Dispose of garbage in the villages, in designated areas. Do not collect wild plants and do not disturb animals you come across! Keep the gates closed behind you!
• You are in an area of high wildfire risk. Lighting open fires is strictly forbidden!
• Water: You can find the nearest drinking water in the town of Cres at several locations in the old town (next to the Moise Palace, on the market, on the main waterfront, in the port of Grabar)
• Shop: In the town of Cres you will find a number of shops of a wide range, so you can stock up on groceries, buy camping and cycling equipment, and you will find several hardware stores and a supermarket with a large selection of food and non-food items.
• Caffe bar: You can drink coffee and other beverages throughout the year in one of the many cafes in the town of Cres or along the promenades outside the city.
• Restaurant: The town of Cres abounds in restaurants with various offers, so during the summer season you will be able to enjoy top quality fish, lamb, grill, pizza, pasta and fast food, while in winter there are a few open restaurants (Porta Bragadina, Fast Food Mimi and Santa Lucia, and Grill house Maslina is open for delivery only)
• Pharmacy: Trg Frane Petrića 4, Cres, tel. 051 571 243
• Doctor: Turion 26, Cres, tel. 051 571 116
• ATM: Several ATMs are located in the town of Cres
SAFETY INFORMATION
Mind the strong Bura wind, especially in winter and pay attention to:
- ticks
- scorpions
- wild animals (wild boar)
- heat
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
- GPS
- water
- waterfilter
- mobile phone
- headlamp
Predošćica
Take the D100 state road and at the intersection turn to the road leading to the Predošćica village, park your vehicle at the entrance to the village and begin your hike.
Cres
There are two directions available by ferries: via Krk and via Istria
KRK: Krk Bridge – Ferry Terminal Valbiska (Krk)- Merag (Cres)
ISTRIA: Istria – Ferry Terminal Brestova (Istria) – Porozina (Cres)
• Ferry tickets are sold at ferry terminals; however, you can buy or book a ferry ticket in advance. More information can be found at www.jadrolinija.hr/
COORDINATES:
Predošćica
DD 45.04708, 14.36753
UTM 450192.53, 4988374.96, 33T
DMS 45° 2′ 49.488″, 14° 22′ 3.108″
Cres
DD 44.96026, 14.40792
UTM 453302.79, 4978706.30, 33T
DMS 44° 57′ 36.936″, 14° 24′ 28.512″
