Walking through green Istria Vineyards and medieval towns on a self-guided tour

Arrival in Istria. Info meeting with our representative at 7pm at the hotel reception area where we will provide you with the package including hotel vouchers, bicycle with all equipment, maps and a road book. Overnight in hotel “Casa la Parenzana”. Rural house in heart of Istria, a peaceful oasis for relaxation and an ideal starting point for daily exploration of this beautiful area.

• Accommodation: Hotel Casa la Parenzana 3* in Volpija or Lovac 3* in Kaldanija (Buje area)
• Meals: not included
• Walking distance: n/a
• Transfer: Transfer from Poreč to Hotel

Day starts with a short transfer to Momjan, a small town settled on the slopes between famous muscato vineyards. From there the route starts to go down by  the medieval castle of Momjan built on a rock at an altitude of 270 metres, which you can visit. Route continues over the old bridge and along the Poganja river. The path leads you through fields of corn and pumpkin.Enjoy the view on villages surrounded by  scattered olive groves. By Kremenje village you descend into the river canyon with the help of steel cables. In the canyon the trail leads you under the 15 metre high Cingarela waterfall and up on the other side of the canyon where from it continues through forest on the slope. Walking by old abandoned drywalls where people once had cattle you will get to Kaštel village.Passing through the village you can refresh yourself with some local Malvazija or Muscat wine with some lunch in one of the restaurants that you will find along the road. The route takes you through forest trail and finishes in front of your hotel positioned in a perfect location. Overnight in Buje area.

• Accommodation: Hotel Casa la Parenzana 3* in Volpija or Lovac 3* in Kaldanija (Buje area)
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Walking distance:11 km / 7 miles (approx 4hr)
• Points of interest: Momjan Castle, Wine cellar with local wine, local food, great view

After breakfast you are ready to start exploring istrian villages and hidden paths. After 10 minute transfer walking stage starts on ex railway Parenzana. Parenzana was a narrow – gauge Austrian railway connecting Trieste with Poreč through a series of Istrian small towns, for 123 kilometres long. The railway was in function from 1902 until 1935, and today, the track has been rearranged for cycling and hiking paths wounding through Istrian hills. Grožnjan will be your start point. After you saw It’s galleries and viewpoints you can pass through magnificent rolling landscapes and lively Istrian vineyards. After passing through several tunnels, over old bridges you can stop on many fascinating view point before reaching the village of Livade, the truffle center of the world where you can taste and buy some products with truffles. In front of Livade on a hill is the town of Motovun where is your hotel. Overnight in Motovun.

• Accommodation: Hotel Kaštel 3* or Villa Borgo 3*in Motovun or similar
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Transfer: 10 minutes transfer + luggage transfer
• Walking distance: 25 km / 15 miles (approx 5-6 hr)
• Points of interest: Parenzana ex-railway line, tunnels and bridges, Grožnjan the city of artists, Livade the truffle centre of the world and Motovun

After breakfast we have a short transfer to Oprtalj – a Picturesque little town located deep in the Istrian peninsula from where we start the Istrian Mountain Trail. The route goes downhill into the forest and passing Sv.Ivan (St.John) village. Next village is St. Lucija with a very beautiful church. Through few villages you will get to Control point where is also one of the best views on river Mirna valley. The trail passes by the Pietrapelosa castle and leads down to the valley. After passing an aqueduct the trail goes uphill towards the village of Mali Mlun and after a few more villages our route opens to a beautiful view on the town of Buzet. Through a forest and fields the trail will get you to Buzet. Overnight in Buzet.

• Accommodation: Hotel Vela Vrata 4*, Buzet or similar
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Transfer: 15 min transfer + luggage transfer
• Hiking distance: 21 km / 13 miles (approx 4.5 – 5 hr)
• Points of interest: Oprtalj, Unspoilt nature of inland region, Mirna river valley view, City of Buzet

Our Path from Buzet to Hum can be a circular trail or one way if you start from Hum. The trail starts by the river and turns into the forest, passing over a shallow river or river bed if it’s dry. The route passes by some waterfalls with lakes, easy walking and not too steep, the trail leads you all the way to Korita, the water springs with natural pools and an old watermill. The trail continues following the river bed and passes through Benčići, an abandoned village where you can see traditional Istrian stone houses. From there you’ll see Hum and it’s recognizable church tower in the distance. When you get to Hum, take a walk and you’ll understand why its the smallest town in the world. In Hum you can eat in the local “konoba”, a word form the local dialect that means restaurant. The “konoba” in hum offers you nothing but traditional Istrian dishes. The «way of mistletoe» will lead you all the way back to Buzet. It takes about 3 hours of hiking one way. Overnight in Buzet.

• Accommodation: Hotel Vela Vrata 4*, Buzet or similar
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Transfer: not included
• Walking distance: one way 12 km or circular trail 24 km / 15 miles
• Points of interest: Mirna river canyon, nature, Old mill on the river, Kotli (natural pools), Hum the smallest city in the world

One way – Route Profile:

Circular – Route Profile:

Transfer to Poklon ,saddle between two hills from where trail starts. It goes on the top of Učka mountain which is biggest mountain in Istria with altitude of 1401 m .From the top it goes all the way down on sea level in Lovran.Path is covered by oak and chestnut forests that give pleasant freshness in hot summers. The very summit of Ucka (Vojak) is worth to climb on for stunning panorama. The panorama of Kvarner bay includes sea and coastal towns, as well as the mountains in background: Obruc, Snjeznik and Risnjak Western side the whole Istra peninsula lies in front of you. Sometimes, if visibility is good, view towards to Venice and on Alps on the north side. Overnight in 4* hotel in Lovran.

• Accommodation: Hotel Park 4* in Lovran or similar
• Meals: Breakfast Included
• Transfer: 30 min transfer from Buzet to Poklon (Start point) + luggage transfer
• Walking distance: 11km / 7 miles (approx 4-5hr)
• Points of interest: Učka nature park, Highest mountain in Istria (1401 m) , Beautiful 360° view on surrounding Kvarner bay islands and Istrian inland

After breakfast departure.

• Accommodation: not included
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Transfer: not included
• Walking Distance: n/a
• Points of interest: n/a