Trails of Istria Walking Break
Trails of Istria Walking Break
Trails of Istria Walking Break
5 Days Starting in Buje, Croatia and ending in Lovran, Croatia
Visiting: Buje, Grožnjan, Motovun, Buzet, Hum, Učka, Lovran
Tour operator:
Tour code:
66
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Imagine walking through green countryside full of vineyards, olive trees, rivers and forests, beautiful villages, and medieval towns situated on hills. It sounds like a dream, doesn't it? And it can easily come true! Join us on a walking adventure through lush green Istria. See the beauty that will open before your eyes every step of the way, and with every new winding of the road. Learn about the culture and heritage of Istria. Visit picturesque towns, situated on hills with unforgettable views that will leave you breathless. Visit Hum, the smallest town in the world, and experience the spirit of the past in Motovun and Grožnjan (the town of artists). To get to know the best of Istria, walk through Ucka Nature Park which contains a wealth of life. Finally, round off this green adventure with the delicious flavors of indigenous Istrian delicacies and wines.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Buje
Location: Buje
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa la Parenzana or similar
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrival in Istria. Take some time to visit the 16th-century Baroque church in Buje, wander through the old city, and enjoy views over the surrounding landscape. Info meeting with our local representative at the hotel reception area. We will provide you with any additional information you may need about your trip, answer the questions you may have, and give you final instructions. Overnight in the Buje area.
Day 2 : Grožnjan To Motovun
Location: Grožnjan, Motovun
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kaštel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be ready to start exploring Istrian villages and hidden paths. After a short, 10-minute transfer, walking continues on the ex-railway Parenzana. Grožnjan will be your starting point. Enjoy your walk through numerous vineyards and olive groves. You will pass through several small tunnels and over picturesque old bridges. You can stop at many viewpoints before reaching the village of Livade, the truffle centre of the world. There you can taste and buy some products with truffles. Overnight in the medieval town of Motovun.
Walking for the day: 25km, 7-8h, ↑690m ↓738m (alternative shorter option: 19km, 5-6h, ↑579m ↓564m)
Day 3 : Buzet To Hum And Back
Location: Buzet, Hum, Buzet
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fontana or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today’s trail starts by the river and turns into the forest, passes over a shallow river (or riverbed if it’s dry), followed by some waterfalls and lakes. Gentle and not too steep, the trail leads you to Korita, the water springs with natural pools and an old watermill. The route then continues following the riverbed and passes trough Benčići, an abandoned village where you can see traditional Istrian stone houses. From there you’ll see Hum and its recognisable church tower in the distance. When you get to Hum, take a walk, and you’ll understand why it is the smallest town in the world. In Hum you can have a meal in the local konoba, a word from the local dialect that means restaurant. The konoba in Hum offers you nothing less but simple and delicious traditional Istrian dishes. The Mistletoe Way will then lead you back to Buzet. Overnight in Buzet.
Walking for the day: 24.5km, 7-8h, ↑488m ↓471m, or alternative shorter option (taxi payable locally): 12.5km, 3-4h, ↑343m ↓138m
Day 4 : Mount Učka To Lovran
Location: Učka, Lovran
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Villa Eugenia or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Poklon (30mins), the saddle between two hills from where the trail begins. It goes on the top of the Učka mountain, which is the highest in Istria (1,400m). From the top, the path goes all the way down to sea level in Lovran. The trail is shadowed by oak and chestnut forests that give incredible freshness during the hot summer days. The very summit of Učka (Vojak) is worth climbing for the stunning panorama. The panorama of Kvarner bay includes sea and coastal towns, as well as the mountains in the background: Obruc, Snjeznik and Risnjak. This is the moment when most of the Istrian peninsula lies before your eyes. On clear days, the view opens towards Venice and the Alps on the north side.
Walking for the day: 15km, 4-5h, ↑783m ↓1,692m, or shorter option: 6km, ↑28m ↓382m
Day 5 : Departure
Location: Lovran
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departure after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
1 overnight in Buje area/Brtonigla 1 overnight in guesthouse/hotel 3* in Motovun 1 overnight in guesthouse/hotel 3* in Buzet 1 overnight in guesthouse/hotel 4* in Lovran
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Meals
4 breakfasts
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Welcome meeting
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Information package including detailed route description (map and road book), luggage tags and vouchers
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Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
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Local transfers to start point during walking
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Airfare and connecting land transfers
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Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses
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Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
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Any items not explicitly listed as included
Check out our Q&As
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Difficulty and terrain
This trip requires a moderate physical condition. Often there is a choice of shorter or longer 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 (read more about difficulty grades). Some of the walks on this trip are marked, but many are not, and you will need to follow the route notes and maps / GPS tracks supplied. You will walk mostly on unpaved roads and hiking trails; some sections may include walking on asphalt. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
This will be provided on all documentation
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes we can, please contact us for details
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, international flights are not included
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When to go
This trip is available from March until November. Traditionally April/May/June and September/October have always been the most popular time of year because the weather is best. If you choose to visit during July and August, you should be aware that temperatures may be high and make walking slightly more difficult. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your holiday on any date in the season – so please indicate desired starting date when booking. The climate in Istria is mild, Mediterranean, where there are warm and dry summers and mild and pleasant winters. The average air temperature during the coldest part of the year is 6C, and 30C during the warmest.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All guides are English Speaking
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.