Synergy: The mountain transversal Via Apsyrtides is a new tourist product of Lošinj and Cres

A project was created in cooperation with the Tourist Boards of the Town of Mali Lošinj and the Town of Cres Via Apsyrtides, a system of pedestrian bypasses that connect and present the natural and cultural attractions of the islands, in the center of which is a transversal path of length 150km which stretches from the northernmost point of the island of Cres, Cape Jablanca to the southernmost point of the island of Ilovik, Cape Radovan.

As a year-round tourist product, it is predicted that in the first years it will attract thousands of visitors who will walk the entire route or at least some sections. And I'm sure he will. Via Apsyrtides can become one of the main motives for coming to Lošinj and Cres in the pre- and post-season. 

"The mountain transversal Via Apsyrtides is a new tourist product, and the goal is to create an additional experience for guests to discover the hitherto lesser-known part of our archipelago, with the revitalization of abandoned pastoral apartments and other facilities. By developing such projects, as well as developing selective forms of tourism, we direct visitors to the hidden potentials of this area  and provide them with new knowledge about the destination's resources ", believes the director of the Tourist Board of the Town of Mali Lošinj Dalibor Cvitkovic.

The project was created as part of the informal association of the two Tourist Boards of Mali Lošinj and the City of Cres and is partly funded by the Fund for Informal Associations of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, while partly funded by the Interreg project "Value" led by local island development agency OTRA .

So, this is a great synergy of the islands of Lošinj and Cres. So natural and logical. Especially because the two islands are practically connected to the mainland, more precisely ten meters from the Osor bridge. 

"Cres and Lošinj offer visitors a really wide range of opportunities for outdoor stays, and staying in nature is in the focus of visitors today more than ever before. With the development of this tourist product, we have offered all our guests, depending on their physical fitness, to choose the entire route or individual parts and get to know the specialties of Cres and Lošinj in the most beautiful way and enjoy the untouched nature. We are looking forward to being joined in June by top runners who will set a record for this challenging but very attractive route,  pointed out the director of the Tourist Board of the City of Cres Željka Stašić.

For the purpose of promotion, but also informing fans of outdoor activities, it was created Website Via Apsyrtdes with accompanying digital and printed maps. Also, the trail is marked with a special mark Via Apsyrtides (above in the picture on the stone) so that everyone can find their way more easily and follow the path.

After tracing, marking and signaling the route, from 16 to 19 June 2022 on Cres and Lošinj will be held the race of the same name.

In this racing race, 20 elite athletes from 10 European countries will set the fastest time on the transversal Via Apsyrtides. Famous people will also take part in the race, which is expected to last 25 hours Damir Kocijan from Lošinj.

Namely, after overcoming the height of Mt Everest by climbing Osorčica 18 times at 26 o'clock, he performed an even bigger feat; he doubled the height and achieved the so-called double everesting. Kocijan climbed 90 times in a row on the 200-meter-high hill Sv. Ivan mastered double everesting in 45 hours. Apart from him, only six other people in the world have achieved such results.

Apart from the people of Lošinj, three Croats will take part in the race; state record holder in the 50km in 2021. Pavle Kruljac (HR), then one of the best Croatian ultratrail runners Nenad Ostojić (HR) and multiple Croatian champion in various sports and disciplines Maja Bonačić (HR).

Among others, there is the winner of Transrockies Run 2019 and 100 Miles of Istria 2016. Thomas Wagner (AT), winner of 100 Miles of Istria 2021. Tomaš Štverak (CZ), winner of Corsa della bora 2021. Marko Gubert (IT), 'runner in sandals' Benjamin Violot (FR), winner of Ultra-Trail Stara Planina 2019 Balasz Nedjalkov (HU), editor of the German magazine Trail magazine Denis Wichniewski (DE), winner of the Supermarathon dell'Etna 2021 Edyta Lewandowska (PL), adventurer Barbara Jolič SI), winner Rychlik Zoška Bratislava 2021. Zuzana Matusova (SVK), winner of UTVV Slovenia 2021. Timea Losonc (HU), famous adventurer Tilen Potočnik (SI), Tomas Borcin (SVK), Pablo Barnes (ARK), Michaela Mertova (CZ) ), Gniewomir Skrzysinsk (PL) and Virginia Oliveri (IT).

Photo: TZ Mali Lošinj