Monte Maggiore / Vojak Eastern Approach

The eastern approach to the Učka massif from the Istrian interior provides an entirely different character to the main coastal ascent. From Pazin — Istria's central town, famous for the chasm below its castle — the road climbs 1,250m over 18.5km through forest and remote Istrian villages on roads carrying almost no traffic. The gradient averages 6.8% with ramps to 15% on the upper forest section, and the ascent is substantially more solitary than the Lovran-side approach. Pazin itself is a logical cycling base with good accommodation, direct access to multiple interior routes, and the remarkable medieval castle with Verne-inspired chasm for rest-day entertainment.