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: 16 - 18 km / 10 miles,Walking time: 4–5 hours;Elevation: +268m / -278m

Day 3 – Hike: Grožnjan to Motovun

After breakfast you are ready to start exploring Istrian villages and hidden paths. After 10 minutes transfer walking stage starts on ex railway Parenzana, a narrow - gauge Austrian railway connecting Trieste with Poreč through a series of Istrian small towns, for 123 kilometers long. The railway was in function from 1902 until 1935, and today, the track has been rearranged for cycling and hiking paths wounding through Istrian hills. Grožnjan will be your start point. After you saw Its galleries and viewpoints you can pass through magnificent rolling landscapes and lively Istrian vineyards. After passing through several tunnels, over old bridges you can stop on many fascinating view point before reaching the village of Livade, the truffle center of the world where you can taste and buy some products with truffles. In front of Livade on a hilltop town Motovun where is your hotel. 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 hike you will start from your hotel descending from the hilltop to the walking trail which guides you throught wineyards to the small village Brkač where you can have istrian lunch in local tavern. On Parenzana trail you are heading back to Motovun. On the way back you can stop in a small winery where you can taste 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

Ater breakfast short transfer to Oprtalj. Picturesque little town deeply in Istrian peninsula from where starts the Istrian Mountain Trail. The route goes downhill into the forest and passing Sv.Ivan (st.John) village. Next village is st. Lucija with a very beautiful church. After passing through a few villages you will get to Control point where it’s also one of the best views on river Mirna valley. The trail is passing by the Pietrapelosa castle and leads down in the valley. After passing an aqueduct the trail goes on the hill towards the village of Mali Mlun and few more villages opens a beautiful view on the town of Buzet. Through the forest and fields at the trail will get you to Buzet. 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
Path from Buzet to Hum can be a circular trail or one way if you start from Hum. The trail starts by the river and turns into the forest, passing over shallow river or riverbed if it's dry. It's passing by some waterfalls with lakes. Nice, and not too steep, the trail leads you all the way to Kotli, the water springs with natural pools and an old watermill. The trail continues following the riverbed and it's passing through Benčići, an abandoned village where you can see traditional Istrian stone houses. From there you'll see Hum and its recognizable church tower in the distance. When you get to Hum, take a walk and you'll understand why it’s the smallest town in the world. In Hum you can eat in the local "konoba", a wordform the local dialect that means restaurant. The "konoba" in hum offers you nothing but traditional istrian dishes. The «way of mistletoe» will lead you all the way back to Buzet. 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
Transfer to Poklon, a saddle between two hills from where trail starts. It goes on the top of Učka mountain which is the biggest mountain in Istria with an altitude of 1401 m. From the top it goes all the way down on sea level in Lovran. Path is covered by oak and chestnut forests that give pleasant freshness in hot summers. The very summit of Učka (Vojak) is worth to climb on for stunning panorama. The panorama of Kvarner bay includes sea and coastal towns, as well as the mountains in background: Obruc, Snjeznik and Risnjak Western side the whole Istra peninsula lies in front of you. Sometimes, if visibility is good, the view can be so clear that it reaches Venice and Alps on the north side. 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.

Important information:
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)