4-Xtremes – Part 12: Following Winnetou’s trail with the Kammermanns

Series: 4-Xtremes – The World Tour

The Wild West in south east Europe.

In Croatia Andrea and Mike explore a mountain world in their Axor. Winnetou rode his horse through there decades ago – and it is still fascinating today.

Hunting for photo motifs on a bike: for once Andrea took to two wheels to follow Winnetou’s trail.


The classic Winnetou films based on Karl May’s novels are more than 50 years old. But they still have many fans throughout Europe. The films were shot in Croatia – the most recent destination on our World Tour. This was reason enough to follow the trail of the most well-known imaginary Apache chief. 

We were particularly interested in seeing the 1120-metre-high Tulove Grede, about 60 kilometres from the town of Zadar. It is a mountain range with an old pass road which takes you up to an altitude of 1044 metres. Many scenes from the films with Pierre Brice in the leading role were filmed at the "White Mountain". And you can understand the film-makers back then: here, not far from the Adriatic Sea there is definitely a Wild West feel about the place.


The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.
The old pass road on the White Mountain – the Kammermanns were saved from evasive manoeuvres on the narrow dirt road.

Hairpin bends in one go.

The pass wasn’t really a challenge for the Axor. But we were still pleased to have the short wheelbase of 4.20 metres and the compact vehicle length. As a result we were even able to round the hairpin bends in one go. It was also an advantage to have set off in the morning as, except for in a few places, the road is too narrow for oncoming traffic and no other car came towards us.

Once we reached the top we hiked further up the mountain. But then the weather changed and the gusts of wind made hiking on the loose stones unpleasant. So we forgot about our plan to stay up there overnight and set off in the direction of the coast.



To the “Wild West gorge” by bike.

This involved using a bike. I, Andrea, rode along a gravel road to take photos, either ahead of or behind the Axor which Mike was driving. A few times the gusts of wind almost blew me of the bike. But a little bit of adventure is always fun. Particularly when it takes us to a gorge in which Winnetou also travelled. Only he was on a horse.

Here at the Zrmanja Canyon we stayed overnight – after being surprised by a sunset with magnificent colours. No matter how we reach the Black Sea – via Greece or via Bulgaria after all: wherever we go next, this trip alone has made it all worth it.


4-Xtremes – The World Tour.

An unparalleled journey.

Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on tour in their Axor for three years. "4-Xtremes – The World Tour" is the motto of the journey that the two Swiss nationals embarked on in mid-2020 and which they share with the RoadStars community. Keep up to date and don't miss out on any of the stunning destinations visited by the adventurous pair.

You can find the current parts from the “4-Xtremes – The World Tour” series here.

You can find the route of the trip before the crossing to South America here.

 


Photos: 4-Xtremes

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