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View of the town of Motovun, situated on a steep, isolated hill above the valley of the Mirna River

Istria

The sunny Mediterranean peninsula

8 Days / 7 Nights
Walking
View of the town of Motovun, situated on a steep, isolated hill above the valley of the Mirna River

The starting point of this walking holiday is Trieste, the former Habsburg seaport located at the karst foothills in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. During the Roman Empire Trieste developed from a relatively small insignificant town into a busy and affluent seaport. Only after a few kilometres you leave Italy again and are on course via Slovenia to Istria. This sunny mediterranean peninsula is mainly characterised by picturesque little fishing villages, small towns located on karst hills, vineyards and mediterranean valleys. Be amazed by the charm of this contrasting landscape and Istira’s blaze of colours.

You hike from Trieste to Muggia on old railway tracks. Already the first stop at Strmec Castle offers you a picturesque view of the Istrian peninsula. On the third day you leave Italy and make your way to Koper in Slovenia. Next to the state border you can see a car-free old town with impressive magnificent buildings. Do you actually know what Piran is known for? For the Sečovlje salt marshes. On huge areas sea salt is obtained by a natural evaporation process. This salt does not taste like the conventional one you get in the supermarket. Rather it gives your food that certain extra kick. On the fifth day of your hiking holiday you have reached the third country, Croatia. The Croatian part of Istria is slightly hillier than the previous sections. So lace up your hiking boots and let your gaze wander over the vineyards!

  • The Parenzana: The former narrow-gauge railway, which ran from Trieste via Koper, Portorož and Buje to Porec, was shut down in 1935. Today you can hike on the former routes far away from car noise and traffic chaos.
  • Porec and its cultural treasures: The town of Porec in Istria should be a fixed point on your hike. Take a little more time to explore the city. Above all, the Eurphrasius Basilica is particularly worth seeing. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Moderate walking with the sun on your face – that is what you can experience on the Istrian peninsula. In addition to the three countries Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, the eight-day holiday leads you through slightly hilly terrain. You have to reckon with a distance of 10 to 20 kilometres per day. But with a basic fitness level, each stage should be easily manageable for passionate hikers.

Our tip: This Eurohike hiking holiday can be perfectly planned as a follow-up hiking tour on the Alpe-Adria-Trail from Cividale to Trieste. If you have any further questions, the Eurohike travel specialists will be happy to provide you with any information you need.

Itinerary at a glance

In Trieste, the eventful history of the region meets the beautiful ambience of the port city. You walk along disused railway lines and into picturesque fishing villages. At the end of the journey through Istria, you arrive in Poreč.
Day
01
Arrival in Trieste

Today’s hiking day leads you out of the harbour town Trieste. After a short journey to the start of the tour you walk leisurely along the old railway route through the mixed woodlands of the Val Rosandra all the way to the hamlet Pesek. The valley is interesting for various reasons: apart from traces of prehistoric settlements you find the only river of the province here, carrying water all year round. On top of that it is characterised by a diverse vegetation.

Along the inital section you walk once again through the stunning Val Rosandra. You walk past the village of Bagnoli della Rosandra, from where you also get to marvel at the Roman aqueduct. You proceed through little villages forever getting closer to the sea until Aquilinia. By public transport you finally reach Muggia.

You leave the tiny fishing village Muggia with its lovingly groomed old centre and continue to Ankaran. Soon you leave Italy and cross the border over to Slovenia. Pine forests offer lots of shade and again and again also views onto the numerous bays and the Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon  by bus to Koper. Capodistria, another name for this town already awaits you with all its magnificent buildings and you enjoy a relaxing end to the day in the car-free historic centre.

You always proceed along the sea into the ancient fishing town of Izola and then onwards to Piran, the birthplace of Giuseppe Tartini, a famous Italian violinist and composer, the town centre is strongly characterised by Venetian influences. Take a stroll through the alleyways featuring Venetian palaces or enjoy the atmosphere on the Piazza Tartini in the centre of Piran.

In the morning Transfer from Piran to Grožnjan, a popular meeting place for musicians from all over the world. Every summer their classical concerts taking place here featuring young musicians. From Grožnjan you walk all the way to Livade. Today’s Day Finish towers high up on top of a hill and is already visible from afar!

The final day on your expedition through Istria leads you to Poreč. Starting from Motovun you hike to Vizinada, from there a shuttle bus takes you to your Day Finish. Already from afar the Euphrasius-basilica is visible, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy a relaxing end to your hiking holiday with a nice glass of wine on one of the squares in the historic centre Poreč.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

In Trieste, the eventful history of the region meets the beautiful ambience of the port city. You walk along disused railway lines and into picturesque fishing villages. At the end of the journey through Istria, you arrive in Poreč.
Day
01
Arrival in Trieste

From Trieste, the ferry takes you to Muggia, where the dreamlike hiking route begins for you on this day. A breathtaking view of the Julian Alps appears shortly after you have crossed the border to Slovenia, here you have to completely enjoy every moment. The descent via the Slovenian Alpine Trail opens up a view of the gentle landscape over the Gulf of Koper, nestled in the vineyards.

Today you leave Koper and hike to the charming fishing town of Izola and on to Piran & Portorož. Your constant companion is the impressive Stunjan National Park. Arriving in Piran, the birthplace of composer Giuseppe Tartini, you can let yourself be enchanted by the Venetian influences. Enjoy the flair on the Piazza Tartini in the centre and stroll through the small alleys.

Your journey begins in Portorož and with it you leave the picturesque coast. You continue hiking across the border into Croatia, your path leading you to the heart of the country, to Buje. This region is home to 23 of Croatia's best-known winemakers, who allow their exquisite varieties of wine to thrive in this fertile soil. Your walk will take you through vineyards and olive groves around the small town.

Surrounded by green fields and olive groves, you walk to Brtonigla. Here you will encounter the typical Istrian cuisine, with many Mediterranean delicacies. A visit to the Mramornica cave should also be on your list.

The hiking route today takes you through the Skarline Nature Park, which is named after the Škarlina stream that rises nearby. In Kastelir you will discover a military road that once led to Pula via Trst and Poreč. All kinds of Mediterranean plants adorn the path along the way. From Kastelir you will take a transfer to Tar.

The last day of your hike through Istria takes you to Poreč. While walking along the coast, you will discover the Euphrasius Basilica, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over a glass of wine in the old town, you can end your trip in a relaxed way and review your experiences.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Walking

The terrain from Trieste to Poreč is slightly hilly. You walk on well-maintained hiking paths, forest paths, paths across meadows and along the coastline. For the daily tours only a basic fitness level is required. We recommend this tour also as a follow-on tour of the Alpe-Adria-Trail from Cividale to Trieste.

Prices & Dates

Category A: 4****-hotels
Category B: 3***-hotels und B&B’s

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned in the selected category
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Transfers according to program
  • 1 Ferry ride from Trieste to Muggia
  • App for navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Transfer from Poreč to Trieste every Saturday available, cost per person EUR 45. Reservation required, payable in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • By train to Trieste.
  • Trieste, Pule or likewise Venice or Treviso airport. From there by train or bus to Trieste.
  • Parking: public parking spaces in Trieste, approx. EUR 10 to EUR 25 per day. No reservation possible in advance.
  • Return journey by bus from Poreč to Trieste in approx. 2.5 hours (www.nomago.si)

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Special dates for groups of min. 5 people on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation as already mentioned in the selected category
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Transfers according to program
  • 1 Ferry ride from Trieste to Muggia
  • App for navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Transfer from Poreč to Trieste every Saturday available, cost per person EUR 45. Reservation required, payable in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • By train to Trieste.
  • Trieste, Pule or likewise Venice or Treviso airport. From there by train or bus to Trieste.
  • Parking: public parking spaces in Trieste, approx. EUR 10 to EUR 25 per day. No reservation possible in advance.
  • Return journey by bus from Poreč to Trieste in approx. 2.5 hours (www.nomago.si)

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Bus ride Ankaran – Koper, approx. EUR 4 per person
  • Special dates for groups of min. 5 people on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Verena Winkler

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Verena Winkler
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