Walking adventure through green Istria

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival in Buje Area

Arrival in Istria and transfer to your hotel in the Buje area (transfer not included). Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, settling into your accommodation and preparing for the adventure ahead.
Overnight in the Buje area.

Day 2 – Hike: Brtonigla to Buje

After a short transfer to Brtonigla, your walk begins through a picturesque landscape of vineyards, olive groves, meadows, and woods—untouched nature far from modern civilization. This area is also renowned for its excellent wines and olive oils. Along the way, many family-run cellars and tasting rooms invite you to discover the authentic Istrian lifestyle. After about three hours of walking through vineyards, you’ll reach Buje, a small hilltop town. From the top, enjoy sweeping views over terraced fields, vineyards, and olive groves. Spend time exploring this charming town full of history and culture. The walk finishes right in front of your hotel, following the path of a former railway line. Overnight in the Buje area. B/-/-

Transfer: 10-minute transfer to the trailhead; Walking distance: 15 km / 10 miles,Walking time: 4–5 hours;Elevation: +323m / -313m

Day 3 – Hike: Grožnjan to Motovun

After breakfast, a short transfer will bring you to Grožnjan, an artistic village known for its galleries and panoramic views. Your hike begins on the former railway line known as Parenzana, which once connected Trieste with Poreč via 123 kilometers of Istrian towns. Now converted into a scenic trail, it’s ideal for both hikers and cyclists. As you walk through rolling hills and vineyards, you’ll pass through tunnels and over old railway bridges, stopping at viewpoints along the way. Before reaching Motovun, you’ll pass through Livade, famous as the truffle capital of the world, where you can sample or purchase truffle products.Motovun, perched high on a hill above the Mirna River valley, is your destination for the evening. Overnight in Motovun. B/-/-
Transfer: 10-minute transfer to trailhead + luggage transfer, Walking distance: 25 km / 15.6 miles
Alternative shorter route: approx. 20 km / 12.5 miles; Elevation gain: +511m / -573m (1,676ft / 1,879ft)

Day 4 – Hike Around Motovun

Today’s circular route starts and ends in Motovun. You’ll descend from the hilltop town onto a trail that winds through scenic vineyards toward the village of Brkač, where you can stop for a traditional Istrian lunch at a local tavern. Following the Parenzana Trail, return to Motovun, stopping if you wish at a small winery to sample local wines.Overnight in Motovun. B/-/-
Walking distance: 15 km / 9.4 miles, Elevation: +451m / -452m (1,479ft / 1,482ft)

Day 5 – Hike: Oprtalj to Buzet

After breakfast, a short transfer will take you to the charming hilltop town of Oprtalj, from where the Istrian Mountain Trail begins. The path descends into the forest, passing through the villages of Sv. Ivan and Sv. Lucija, home to a beautiful church.
Continue past panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Mirna River valley and the ruins of Pietrapelosa Castle. The trail then descends into the valley, crosses an aqueduct, and ascends toward Mali Mlun. From here, the landscape opens up to a breathtaking view of Buzet, your destination for the day. Overnight in Buzet. B/-/-
Transfer: 15-minute transfer to the trailhead + luggage transfer; Walking distance: 18 km / 11.25 miles
Alternative shorter route: approx. 8 km / 5 miles; Elevation gain: +496m / -700m (1,626ft / 2,296ft)

Day 6 – Circular Hike: Buzet to Hum and Back
Today’s circular route takes you to Hum, known as the smallest town in the world. The trail follows a riverbed through forests and passes by waterfalls and natural pools at Kotli, known for its old stone watermill. Continue through Benčići, an abandoned village showcasing traditional Istrian stone houses. Eventually, you'll spot the iconic bell tower of Hum in the distance. Take time to explore Hum, enjoy traditional Istrian dishes at the local konoba, and then return to Buzet via the Way of Mistletoe trail. Overnight in Buzet. B/-/-
Walking distance: Buzet to Hum: 12.5 km / 7.8 miles, Hum to Buzet: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Elevation gain:Buzet to Hum: +343m / -138m (1,125ft / 453ft); Hum to Buzet: +145m / -333m (476ft / 1,092ft)
 

Day 7 – Hike: Mount Učka to Lovran
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Poklon Pass, located between two peaks of the Učka mountain range. From here, the trail ascends to Vojak, the highest peak in Istria at 1,401 meters. At the summit, you’ll enjoy a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Kvarner Bay, the Istrian Peninsula, and on clear days, views extending to Venice and the Alps.From the peak, the trail descends through shady oak and chestnut forests all the way down to Lovran, a charming seaside town on the Adriatic coast. Overnight in Lovran. B/-/-
Transfer: 30 min transfer from Buzet to Poklon (start point) +luggage transfer; Walking distance: 15 km / 9,4 miles, Shorter walk 6 km / 3,8 miles
Elevation gain: +783m / -1692m, +2568ft / -5550ft, Shorter walk +28 m / -382m, +92ft / -1253ft

Day 8 – Departure from Lovran

After breakfast, your walking tour comes to an end. Departure from Lovran.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Start / Finish: Buje area / Lovran Availability: March to November
Total distance: 115 km / 72 miles Departures: Any day in a week
Grade: Moderate (Walking distances on this type of holiday are longer and some of the days may be challenging than
others. Possible are days with easy scrambling and steeper descents. Suitable for most regular walkers who have a
reasonable level of fitness. Distance for a day are 12,5 km to 25 km)