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Beautiful hilltop towns, green landscapes awash with vineyards and olive groves, truffles, wine and fascinating culture - these are just some of the highlights of the Istrian countryside. Istria is full of superb villages and medieval towns, all located on picturesque hilltops. Discover on foot lush valleys, rolling vineyards, forests and olive groves, together with the history and culture of a region unlike any other in Croatia. You'll visit Groznjan with its artistic vibes, Hum which is officially the smallest town in the world, Buzet which is the truffle capital of Croatia, and the charming cobblestone town of Motovun. Follow a section of the Parezana trail and hike to the summit of Istria's highest mountain. On this week long tour you're sure to experience the absolute best of Istria, staying in charming local hotels and guesthouses.
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16kg of CO2-e PP per day
(110kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive in the Buje area
Make your own way to your joining hotel in the Buje area. Tonight at 7pm you will meet with our local representative who will provide you with your information pack including hotel vouchers, maps, luggage tags and route notes. They can also assist with logging into your app and instructions for use if needed. As a guide, we use hotels in either Volpija or Kaldanija on the standard trip, or Brtonigla or Nova Vas with the upgrade, your base for 2 nights. We can assist with an airport transfer directly to your accommodation in Buje, please ask for our rates.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Walk through vineyards and olive groves from Brtonigla to the Buje region (4-5hrs)
This morning starts with a 10 minute transfer to Brtonigla to start your first walk. Surrounded by acres of vineyards and olive groves, you'll follow paths that lead through meadows and woods. Along the way you can stop to sample the superb local wines and olive oils. After around 3 hours of walking you'll reach Buje, a small hilltop town for which the region is named. Take a stroll through the town and admire the breathtaking view of terraced fields, vineyards and olive groves below. Continue along a former railway track back to your hotel. Overnight as before. Walk: 16-18km/10-11.2mi. Elevation: +268m/880ft, -278m/912ft
Meals: B
Day 3
Walk from Groznjan to Motovun on the Parenzana trail (7-8hrs or 5-6hrs)
After breakfast, today starts with another 10 minute transfer, this time taking you to the Parenzana rail trail. The Parenzana railway was a narrow gauge Austrian railway connecting Trieste with Porec, winding through a series of Istrian towns and was in operation from 1902 to 1935. Today the tracks have been converted to wonderful walking and cycling paths. Today's walk starts in Groznjan, a delightful town full of art and culture, and with spectacular views. You'll walk through rolling landscapes and Istrian vineyards, and pass through several tunnels and over old bridges before reaching the village of Livade. Livade is the truffle capital of Istria and here you can taste the local truffles. Continue to the hilltop village of Motovun and your hotel. Walk: 25km/15.6mi. Elevation: +511m/1676ft, -573m/1879ft. *A shorter option is available today: 20km/12.5mi, 5-6hrs.
Day 4
Loop walk from Motovun (4-5hrs)
Today's hike you will start from your hotel descending from the hilltop to the walking trail which guides you through vineyards to the small village of Brkac where you can have a typical istrian lunch in a local tavern. On the Parenzana trail you head back to Motovun. On the way back you can stop in a small winery to taste local wines. Overnight in Motovun. Walk: 15km/9.4mi. Elevation: +451m/1479ft, -452m/1482ft
Day 5
Transfer to Oprtalj, walk through forests, fields and villages to Buzet (5-6hrs)
After breakfast you'll transfer to Oprtalj (15mins), a picturesque town in the heart of the Istrian peninsula. Here the Istrian Mountain Trail will lead you through an untouched natural landscape. You begin by walking downhill into the forest, passing Sv. Ivan (St John) village, then St Lucija with its beautiful church. En route you'll enjoy one of the best views over the Mirna river valley. The trail continues past the Pietrapelosa castle and down into the valley. Later you'll walk uphill towards the village of Mali Mlun and on to the beautiful town of Buzet. Overnight Buzet. Walk: 18km/11.25mi. Elevation: +496m/1626ft, -700m/2296ft. *A shorter walk of 8km/5mi or 2-3hrs is possible.
Day 6
Loop walk to Hum, the smallest town in the world (7-8hrs or 3-4hrs)
You have two options for today, either a loop walk from Buzet to Hum or transfer to Hum (not included) and walk from Hum to Buzet. Leaving from Buzet the walk starts along the river, before heading into the forest. Along the way there are waterfalls, lakes, natural pools and an old watermill. The trail continues following the riverbed, passing through the abandoned village of Bencici with its traditional stone houses. From here you can see Hum in the distance. Hum is the world's smallest town and it won't take you long to stroll its two streets. If you eat lunch in Hum you'll be sure to enjoy traditional Istrian dishes, as this is all the 'konoba' (restaurant) offers. Return on foot to Buzet. Walk Buzet to Hum: 12.5km/7.8mi. +343m/1125ft, -138m/453ft Walk Hum to Buzet: 12km/7.5mi, +145m/475ft, -333m/1092ft
Day 7
Transfer to Poklon, walk to Ucka mountain (1401m) and on to Lovran (4-5hrs)
This morning you will be transferred to Poklon (30 mins) which sits in a valley between two hills. The walk today takes you to the top of Ucka mountain, the highest in Istria (at 1401m). Once you've reached the summit be sure to pause and enjoy the panoramic view. From the summit you can see Kvarner Bay and its many coastal towns. On a clear day you might even be able to see Venice! From here you'll walk all the way down to the sea, along a peaceful trail through oak and chestnut forests. Overnight in Lovran. Walk: 15km/9.4mi. Elevation: +783m/2568ft, -1692m/5550ft. *A shorter walk is possible. This walk is 6km/4mi or 2 hours, with an ascent of 28m/92ft and a descent of 382m/1253ft.
Day 8
Trip concludes
The trip concludes this morning after breakfast in Lovran.
What's included
What's not included
Family-run 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses. All accommodation based on twin share with ensuite facilities. Many of the hotels are renowned for their excellent cuisine and all offer a warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality and an authentic experience.
Upgrade to premium 4 star hotels. All accommodation based on twin share with ensuite facilities. Hotels may offer a pool or spa facilities. Ask for details
GRADE 3 - This is a self guided walk with average daily stages of between 3-8 hours, although on the longer days there are options to shorten the walks. The terrain varies from paved and cobblestone streets (during village exploration) to single-track trails with loose stones or gravel, rocky paths, ancient ruins, and sets of ancient stone steps. The trails are often exposed to the sun and weather conditions may be harsh at times (even in summer), and you will need to be comfortable walking in such conditions. A good level of fitness is required for this trip.
Per Person, Twin Share
If you are flying from within Europe the closest airports are Pula or Trieste. If flying from outside of Europe it is likely that you will need to fly into either Venice, Ljubljana or Zagreb. There are limited public transport options to Buje, we can arrange a private transfer from Trieste, Pula, Venice, Zagreb or Ljubljana airports for an additional supplement.
The trip is graded moderate so you need to have a good level fitness. You will be walking average daily stages of between 3-8 hours. Need to be comfortable walking on uneven paths and be sure footed.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.
Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.
With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.
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Introductory to Moderate