If you’re looking for an adventurous way to spend your holiday, Istria is the place for you. Apart from the coastal towns, Istria offers a number of biking and hiking trails that will lead you to discover its hidden gems.
Istria
The Istrian Peninsula is located in north-western Croatia, between the Gulf of Venice and the Kvarner Gulf. Spanning more than 3,000 km², most of the peninsula lies in Croatia, with only a small northern part belonging to Slovenia. Istria boasts numerous cycling and hiking trails, the most famous of which is the Parenzana.
The Parenzana Trail
The Parenzana runs along the route of the former railway line from Trieste to Poreč. At the beginning of the 20th century, the railway helped to develop poorer areas of Istria by making it easier to transport salt and agricultural products. The name ‘Parenzana’ comes from the Italian name for the town of Poreč: ‘Parenzo’. It is also known as the Path of Health and Friendship.
The trail
The Parenzana Trail begins in the Italian port city of Trieste and continues towards the Italian-Slovenian border. After crossing the border, it passes through the Slovenian coastal towns of Koper, Izola, Portorož and Sečovlje. Shortly after Sečovlje, the trail crosses the Slovenian–Croatian border and continues into the heart of the Istrian peninsula. It winds through the towns of Buje, Grožnjan, Livade, Motovun, Vižinada and Višnjan, eventually reaching the coastal town of Poreč. You will cross two borders if you cycle the entire trail, but don’t worry — you won’t be stopped at the border because all three countries are part of the Schengen area. Nevertheless, you should still carry your ID card with you.
Parenzana in numbers
The entire route is around 123 km long.
Parenzana’s lowest point is in Milje and Koper (2 m altitude), and its highest point is near Grožnjan (293 m). There are nine tunnels along the trail in total, with a combined length of 1,530 metres. Some tunnels are equipped with lighting, but others are not, so we advise you to bring a bike lamp to help you get through the tunnels safely. There are altogether 11 bridges and six viaducts along the trail.
Some of the most interesting are in Oprtalj (75 m long and 25 m high) and Sabadin (64 m long and 20 m high). The viaducts offer scenic views of the Istrian countryside and are all secured with a fence, making them safe for use with children.
How to plan the trail
The best way to prepare yourself for the trail is to gather as much useful information as possible. You can get the brochure and the map containing all the relevant information from several tourist offices along the trail or download them from the official Parenzana page. The brochure and map are available in Croatian, Slovenian, English, Italian and German. The map also provides information on where to find tourist offices, accommodation and restaurants, as well as more specific details on where to rent a bike, get your bike repaired, or recharge your e-bike.
Starting point
If you decide to start the trail in Trieste, be careful as there is a lot of busy traffic and the Parenzana route at the start might not be the best place to cycle with children. You can choose any other point to start the trail and only cycle through a specific section. There are several places where you can access the trail by car – simply park close to the trail and cycle along the section you want to explore. You can park close to the former Buje railway station, the Stanica village (former railway station), the village of Grožnjan, the village of Kanal near Motovun and the village of Vižinada, among others.
Which type of bicycle should I take?
While the Slovenian section of the trail is mostly paved, the Croatian section is mostly made up of gravel roads, some of which are rough. This is why we recommend strong trekking or mountain bikes with deep-profile tyres. Road bikes are not suitable for the Croatian section of the Parenzana trail.
Your best friend on the Parenzana: your bicycle
Make sure your bicycle is in good condition and consider bringing basic spare parts and tools to repair it in case of failure. Although there are some service stations close to the route in the towns of Buje, Grožnjan, Livade, Kaštelir-Labinci, Brtonigla, Novigrad, Poreč and Umag, none of them are directly on the trail. Therefore, if you experience a bike defect outside any of these towns, you will have to rely on yourself to get it fixed.
If you are using an e-bike, there are charging stations in some of the towns along the route, although they are not located directly on the trail itself. You can find some of them at the following locations: San Servolo Beer & Spa resort, Buje (Giant bicycles only), Hostel Parenzana, Triban (Bosch bicycles only), in Kanal near Motovun (Bosch bicycles, other bicycles with adapter), Valmar Diamant Hotel in Poreč (Bosch bicycles only) and Tourist association Kaštelir-Labinci (Bosch bicycles only). If you have come on holiday without a bike and would like to rent one, you can do so in the following towns: Buje (Camelus d.o.o. MTBike), Motovun (Rent a bike point Motovun), Poreč (Quick rent a bike), Brtonigla (Rent a bike) and Umag (TourISTRA Travel Agency).
Where to stay
If you decide to cycle the whole Parenzana trail, you will probably need to stop for the night somewhere along the way. There are plenty luxurious, spacious villas available for you to stay in along the way. Most of these villas are located in peaceful surroundings, and many of them have outdoor swimming pools. Check out the wide selection of villas in Buje, Grožnjan, Motovun, Višnjan or Poreč. You can also book a villa for a longer period and ride one section of the trail each day. We advise you to book your accommodation in advance.
Parenzana with children
Although the Parenzana Trail is generally considered easy, you and your children will still need to be reasonably fit. The trail can be rough in places, so make sure they are used to riding on such paths. We recommend choosing just one segment of the trail. The most interesting and scenic section is between Grožnjan and Livade. This 20 km stretch features many tunnels and long viaducts that children will particularly enjoy.
Where to rest, eat and drink
There are several rest stops along the Parenzana route. As most of them are located outside towns, it is not possible to buy food there. Make sure you bring your own snacks and drinks. If you need to fill up your water bottle, public drinking water taps are available in some towns (Grožnjan, Livade and Labinci).
If you decide to have lunch in a restaurant, you will find plenty of them in the towns that the Parenzana route passes through. You can find places to eat close to the trail in most Istrian towns.
What to see
The Parenzana trails offers picturesque views of the Istrian countryside while you ride through the vineyards and olive groves and passing through tunnels and across the viaducts. Apart from that the trails also takes you through some interesting spots that are worth visiting.
Grožnjan
Perched on a hill above the Mirna River, Grožnjan is a medieval town also known as the ‘Town of Artists‘, due to the numerous artists and musicians who have settled there. There are many galleries and art studios, and in summer you can enjoy one of the town’s musical events.
Livade
The Parenzana Museum is located in Livade, a village in the Mirna river valley. The museum houses many documents, photographs and old postcards, as well as information about the operation of the Parenzana Railway.
Motovun
The historic town of Motovun is located close to the Parenzana trail, on a hill above the Mirna River. It is considered one of the most attractive medieval towns in Istria. Dominating the view of the town are its mighty city walls and 27-metre-tall bell tower. In Motovun, you will find several restaurants offering typical regional dishes – be sure to sample the truffles from the Motovun Forest and the local wines.
Rakotule
Rakotule is a small rest stop located around 5 km before Vižinada. Children will love it thanks to the small playground and little zoo where you can see typical Istrian farm animals.
Vižinada
In Vižinada, you can see a life-size model of a locomotive. Such locomotives used to run on the Parenzana railway. Your children will love the possibility of climbing inside the cabin of the locomotive.
Nova vas – the Baredine cave
Not far from Poreč, you’ll find the village of Nova vas. Close to the station is the Baredine Cave. This karst cave is open to visitors, who can admire the underground lakes, stalactites and stalagmites inside. In front of the cave, there is an information board and a small restaurant.
When to go
To avoid the summer heat and crowds, we recommend visiting the trail in spring or autumn. If you do decide to visit in summer, choose the early hours to avoid the heat. It is not advisable to ride on the Parenzana trail in the rain, as it can become very muddy and slippery in some areas, which increases the risk of accidents.
What to take with you
For safety reasons, always wear a helmet. Wear comfortable sports clothing that won’t make you feel too hot or too cold. Bring some basic tools to repair your bike in case of breakdown, as well as a bike pump and lamp. We also recommend bringing a basic first-aid kit. If you’re visiting the Parenzana Trail in the summer, remember to bring sunscreen and insect repellent. Make sure you have enough liquid to stay hydrated and some snacks.
Now that you have all the essential information, there’s no reason to hesitate! Gather your cycling gear and other travel essentials, then set off on an exciting cycling adventure through the heart of Istria!
FAQ
What is the Parenzana Trail?
The Parenzana Trail is one of the most famous hiking and cycling trails in Istria. Measuring around 123 km in length, it used to be a railway line running from Trieste (Italy) to Poreč (Croatia). Following the cancellation of the railway, the route was transformed into a popular destination for hikers and cyclists.
What is the best time to go?
We recommend riding the Parenzana in spring or autumn. Avoid riding in summer, as temperatures can be extremely high. However, if you do decide to ride in summer, make sure you set off early in the morning to avoid the heat.
Are the segments well marked?
The Parenzana Trail is well marked with typical yellow signposts for most of its length. You can also download the Parenzana app, which contains useful information about the trail. It also contains a map of the Parenzana trail in Croatia and details of some interesting locations along the route.
Is the trail suitable for families with children?
In the flatter, coastal areas, the trail is suitable for children of all ages. If you choose a route further inland, the surface can be rough in places. Make sure your children are familiar with gravel roads and avoid choosing a section that is too long. Ideally, they should have some cycling experience and a certain level of endurance.
