Croatia · 30 Mar 2025
Epic Rides
Labin / Istra
Skitača. Almost mythical status.
Istria as you haven't seen it.
44.5 km
Distance
710 m
Elevation
46%
Off-Road
The Route
The Dossier
Epic Rides Labin takes you to one of the most special cycling locations in eastern Istria, through a landscape that feels wild, open and incredibly picturesque at the same time. The route toward Skitača brings an excellent blend of climbs, fast gravel sections and panoramic views that take your breath away — from Učka and Rijeka, across Cres and Velebit, all the way to the sea and southern Istria. Over 45 kilometres and 710 metres of elevation, this route offers a dynamic but very rideable adventure, ideal for the start of a new Epic Rides season. Labin, Skitača, Istrian cuisine and a genuine outdoor experience together create a ride that is unforgettable.
Epic Rides
Distance
44.5 km
Elevation
710 m
Off-Road
46%
Epic Rides — Short
Distance
36.9 km
Elevation
580 m
Off-Road
39%
Labinština abounds with top-class cycling locations. The area of Skitača is actually a peninsula (on a larger peninsula, Istria), and it got its name from a small place at the very end of the peninsula. And the hamlet of Skitača got its name from the wanderers who used to roam there. And that's exactly where we'll be roaming on our bikes.
The start is at the foot of the town of Labin itself, and after a few km of riding through typical Istrian settlements, here we are at the first climb. Fortunately, the start is at 291 m above sea level, so the climb doesn't start from zero.
After about 10 km we've climbed to, let's call it the "plateau" of this peninsula, where it will be clear to you what we were talking about in the text above, but you won't exactly be convinced you're in Istria. Through the middle of the peninsula leads a beautiful, well-smoothed gravel road, a paradise for gravel bikes and all those who love the sound of "gravel" under fast wheels.
Then at one point, on a little bump, a WOW view opens up! In the distance Učka and Rijeka, on the left Cres, and behind it Velebit, straight ahead the blue sea, and on the right Kamenjak and a view to the other side of Istria. The locals say "from there you can see Venice after the bura", maybe the earth really is a flat plate.
In the village of Skitača is the feed zone, followed by a descent to the gentler and more populated side of this peninsula and riding through interesting landscapes, villages, past old houses and new holiday villas that are also springing up here, but still much less than in the already popular coastal destinations.
45 kilometres and 710 metres of elevation, a great story for the opening of yet another Epic Rides season.
Start and finish are near the old town of Labin, and the cuisine and wine (eno and gastro) here are full-blooded Istria — read phenomenal.
The Registry
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The Field
Gallery
Epic Rides Partners
Destination Partners
Official Suppliers
The Destination
Labin
Istria, our largest peninsula, will eventually have at least 5 Epic Rides. Because in a relatively small peninsula, so much charm, so much warmth and so many scents, colours and flavours rightly place Istria on the pedestal of one of the most beautiful regions in Croatia.
And when we talk about the diversity of Istria, the term Labinština denotes a completely different story from the one on the western side of the peninsula. This is the part of Istria where the land steeply plunges into the Adriatic Sea and where dense, green forests and mostly earthen surfaces do not dominate, as we are used to from Istria. Here we find a different landscape, much more similar to the Kvarner and even Dalmatian islands.
The town of Labin itself, with its charm, captivates at first glance. Built on a hilltop from which fantastic views and landscapes stretch, and the colourful houses in the steep stepped streets captivate with traditional Mediterranean architecture.
We have long known that the surroundings of Labin are a phenomenal place for cycling, and it wasn't easy to decide which direction to go, because wherever you go it's interesting and attractive. But there is one part that has an almost mythical status among cyclists and hikers, called Skitača. We waited for the right moment to take you there.
Well, here it is. Welcome to Istria. Welcome to Epic Rides Labin.
Wherever you go — interesting and attractive.
But Skitača has an almost mythical status.
We waited for the right moment.
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