CRO-IST1

Arrival in Istria. Our local representative will be on hand with information about the week ahead.

1. AccommodationBuje

Your journey begins with a short 10-minute transfer to Brtonigla. All around you, acres of vineyards and olive groves surround the pathways that lead you through meadows and woods, deep into the fabric of a landscape far removed from the crowds.Ascent: 268m. Descent: 313m. Distance: 16 km / 10 miles. Time: 4-5 hours.In a part of the world renowned for its fine wines and olive oils, you’ll find opportunities to visit the area’s traditional family-owned wine cellars. From your path through vineyards you reach Buje, a small hilltop town where you can see right over the terraced fields, vineyards and olive groves beyond. Buje is abundant with history and culture, a perfect stop for some sightseeing before following the old railway path to your hotel. Overnight in Buje area.Walking distance: Ascent: 323m. Descent: 313m. Distance: 15 km / 10 miles. Time: 4-5 hours.

1. transfer

2. Brtonigla to Buje
3. AccommodationBuje

After breakfast, a short 10-minute transfer will take you to the start of today’s route at Grožnjan. Follow the former Parenzana railway, a narrow-gauge Austrian railway that has now been reworked into a series of cycling and walking trails.Your route takes you through several tunnels and over old bridges where you can stop to admire the view, before reaching the village of Livade. The village is famous for its truffles, and there are many opportunities here to taste and buy some products with truffles. From here, walk to the hilltop town of Motovun and your accommodation for the night.Ascent: 511m. Descent: 573m. Distance: 25 km / 15.6 miles. Time: 7-8 hours.Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately Ascent: 28m. Descent: 382m. Distance 6 km / 3.8 miles. Time: 2 hours.

1. transfer

2. Groznjan to Motovun
   Option to shorten walk to 12.5 mls/20km
3. AccommodationMotovun

Today's walk leads right from your hotel along a descending route from the hilltop through vineyards to the small village Brkač where you can stop for a traditional Istrian lunch in a local tavern. Your route then takes you back to Motovun on the Parenzana trail. On your way back, you could also take a break to sample the local produce at one of Istria’s many small wineries.Ascent 451m / descent 452m, Distance 15 km / 9.4 miles (approx. 3 -4h)

1. Motovun loop walk
2. AccommodationMotovun

Following breakfast, a short 15-minute transfer takes you to Oprtalj, a picturesque little town from where the Istrian Mountain Trail begins. Your route descends into the forest, passing Sveti Ivan (St. John) village as well as the village of St.Lucija, which has a very beautiful church.Your route through villages brings you to a magnificent view over the river Mirna valley, before meeting Pietrapelosa castle and then descending into the valley proper. After passing by an aqueduct the trail leads downhill towards the village of Mali Mlun where the trail opens onto a beautiful view of the town of Buzet, the end-point of today’s routeAscent: 496m. Descent: 700m. Distance: 18 km / 11.25 miles. Time: 5-6 hours.Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately 8 km / 5 miles, taking 2-3 hours.

1. transfer

2. Oprtalj to Buzet
3. AccommodationBuzet

Today’s path to Buzet can be a circular trail or one-way, if starting from Hum. Your trail follows the river into a forest, taking you over a shallow river where you’ll cross paths with waterfalls along your route. A gentle trail then leads into Kotli, with water springs and old watermill.Your trail then passes through Benčići, an abandoned village of traditional Istrian stone houses. From there you'll see Hum with its distinctive church tower in the distance. With a population of only seventeen, Hum holds the Guinness World Record for “Smallest Town in the World” and here you can visit the local ‘konoba’ (restaurant in local dialect), which serves traditional Istrian dishes. The “Way of Mistletoe” then leads you back to Buzet.Ascent: 488m. Descent: 471m. Distance: 24.5km/15.3 miles. Time: 7-8 hours.Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately 12.5 km / 7.8 miles. Time: 3-4 hours.

1. Buzet to Hum & return to Buzet (circular)
   Option to shorten walk to 7.8 mls / 12.5km with a transfer return from Hum (extra cost)
2. AccommodationBuzet

Today’s route begins with a transfer to Poklon, situated between two hills from where the trail starts. Your route scales the top of Učka mountain, the highest mountain in Istria with an altitude of 1401 m, where you’ll find a stunning panorama from the summit over Kvarner Bay, the sea, coastal towns, as well as the mountains of Obruc, Snjeznik and Risnjak. If visibility is good, it’s possible to catch sight of Venice and the Alps towards the north. The trail then descends all the way down to sea level at Lovran, where the oak and chestnut forests that line the route offer a pleasant freshness in the heat of summer.783m. Descent: 1692m. Distance: 15 km / 9.4 miles. Time: 5-6 hours.Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately Ascent: 28m. Descent: 382m. Distance 6 km / 3.8 miles. Time: 2 hours.

1. transfer

2. Mount Ucka to Lovran
3. AccommodationLovran

Departure following breakfast.