MataDown 2019

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E-Bikes Unknown

Every year in August, there is the enduro race called "MataDown". The rest of the year ,the trail is is open for public fun. It is marked by a special sign. Segments of the race track could be changed year to year and also the surface is changed by the race.

Especially in the beginning, at Matajur Summit Trail, there are a lot of small slots (deep old tracks), often covered by grass. Take a look at them when you're doing the ascent and remember them biking down.

Don't do it when it's wet—there are a lot of steep earthy and grassy segments, which would be destroyed by bikers under wet conditions.

The upper part:

Start at the top (elev. 1.640m) of Mount Matajur.

The MataDown Trail uses first Matajur, western summit trail to the closed alpine-hut "Dom na Matajure". Turn right and follow the signs down to the doubletrack of the northern traverse. There is a steep step of about 30%. Turn left and use a doubletrack to return the southwestern ridge of Mount Matajur at alm "Marsinska Planina". Stay at the ridge and follow the signs to the south, down through the meadows with a few rocky steps. Passing the next alm, "Malga Gosgnach", you'll enter little pieces of forest and getting. At a junction with a dirt road (after passing Monte Glewica) you 'll have finished the upper part. (3,6 km)

The middle part:

After crossing the dirt road (elev. 1.020m) stay at the ridge and follow the signs. There are some hills with very short climbs, but the next hill will be lower. So there are mostly flowy sections but also some steeper steps, garnished with rocks. So you'll reach in a 5-path-junction a saddle. At this junction with alpin paths #755 and #749A, the middle part ends. (4,2 km)

The lower part:

From the saddle (elev. 650m), follow the signs on your left and immediately turn right at path #749A (don't stay at the ridge—this trail is leading up to Monte St.Canziano). Now you'll traverse the eastern hillside of Monte St.Canziano, a new segment in the MataDown-Trail. It's difficult with the short climb up to a shoulder south of this hill. Some steeper steps and flowy sections will bring you along the ridge down to a dirt road. Here ends the new segment of MataDown.

Turn right and have a look to the MataDown signs. After a few meters, you should find the continuation of the trail on your left. Soon you'll be back at another dirt road. Take care to find the MataDown signs and fork off to your right for the last funny downhill with little jumps, slops (there is also a track beside the jumps). With a soft jump You'll reach the meadow beside the pilgrimage-church near the village of Sorzento (elev. 230m / 3,4 km).

To the village of Sorzento, follow the dirt road on your left.