Villages of Istria Walk
Villages of Istria Walk
Villages of Istria Walk
8 Days Starting in Volpija or Kaldanija and ending in Lovran
Visiting: Croatia
Tour Overview
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
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, and at this time you can download the app for use during the trip. 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.
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. +268m/880ft, -278m/912ft
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. +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 wineyards 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. +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. +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. +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
-
Accommodation
3-4 star hotels and guesthouses -
7 breakfasts
-
7 nights in 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (option to upgrade hotels to 4* - supplement applies)
-
Information pack with route notes and maps per room booked and smartphone app access. GPS tracks available on request
-
Welcome briefing
-
Luggage transfer
-
Transfers as noted in the itinerary
-
Emergency hotline
-
Travel to the Buje area and from Lovran. Private arrival and departure transfers are available - supplement applies - please ask our team.
-
Lunch, dinner and drinks daily
-
Transfers not included as part of the itinerary
Grading
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.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Sunday
Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 14, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 08, 2024 - Jul 15, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 09, 2024 - Jul 16, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 10, 2024 - Jul 17, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jul 11, 2024 - Jul 18, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 12, 2024 - Jul 19, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 13, 2024 - Jul 20, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 14, 2024 - Jul 21, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 15, 2024 - Jul 22, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 16, 2024 - Jul 23, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 17, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jul 18, 2024 - Jul 25, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 19, 2024 - Jul 26, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 20, 2024 - Jul 27, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 21, 2024 - Jul 28, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 22, 2024 - Jul 29, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 23, 2024 - Jul 30, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 24, 2024 - Jul 31, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Jul 25, 2024 - Aug 01, 2024Friday - Friday
Jul 26, 2024 - Aug 02, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Jul 27, 2024 - Aug 03, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Jul 28, 2024 - Aug 04, 2024Monday - Monday
Jul 29, 2024 - Aug 05, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 30, 2024 - Aug 06, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Jul 31, 2024 - Aug 07, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 01, 2024 - Aug 08, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 02, 2024 - Aug 09, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 03, 2024 - Aug 10, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 04, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 05, 2024 - Aug 12, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 06, 2024 - Aug 13, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 07, 2024 - Aug 14, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 08, 2024 - Aug 15, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 09, 2024 - Aug 16, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 10, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 11, 2024 - Aug 18, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 12, 2024 - Aug 19, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 13, 2024 - Aug 20, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 14, 2024 - Aug 21, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 15, 2024 - Aug 22, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 16, 2024 - Aug 23, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 17, 2024 - Aug 24, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 19, 2024 - Aug 26, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 20, 2024 - Aug 27, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 21, 2024 - Aug 28, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 22, 2024 - Aug 29, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 23, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 24, 2024 - Aug 31, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Aug 25, 2024 - Sep 01, 2024Monday - Monday
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 02, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 27, 2024 - Sep 03, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Aug 28, 2024 - Sep 04, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Aug 29, 2024 - Sep 05, 2024Friday - Friday
Aug 30, 2024 - Sep 06, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 07, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 02, 2024 - Sep 09, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 03, 2024 - Sep 10, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 04, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 05, 2024 - Sep 12, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 06, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 07, 2024 - Sep 14, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 09, 2024 - Sep 16, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 17, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 11, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 12, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 13, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 21, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 16, 2024 - Sep 23, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 18, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 19, 2024 - Sep 26, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 23, 2024 - Sep 30, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 01, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Sep 25, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 03, 2024Friday - Friday
Sep 27, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024Monday - Monday
Sep 30, 2024 - Oct 07, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 01, 2024 - Oct 08, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 09, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Oct 03, 2024 - Oct 10, 2024Friday - Friday
Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Monday - Monday
Oct 07, 2024 - Oct 14, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 08, 2024 - Oct 15, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 09, 2024 - Oct 16, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Oct 10, 2024 - Oct 17, 2024Friday - Friday
Oct 11, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024Monday - Monday
Oct 14, 2024 - Oct 21, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 15, 2024 - Oct 22, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 16, 2024 - Oct 23, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Oct 17, 2024 - Oct 24, 2024Friday - Friday
Oct 18, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Oct 19, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Monday - Monday
Oct 21, 2024 - Oct 28, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 22, 2024 - Oct 29, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 23, 2024 - Oct 30, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Oct 24, 2024 - Oct 31, 2024Friday - Friday
Oct 25, 2024 - Nov 01, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Oct 26, 2024 - Nov 02, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 03, 2024Monday - Monday
Oct 28, 2024 - Nov 04, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Oct 29, 2024 - Nov 05, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Oct 30, 2024 - Nov 06, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Oct 31, 2024 - Nov 07, 2024Friday - Friday
Nov 01, 2024 - Nov 08, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Nov 02, 2024 - Nov 09, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024Monday - Monday
Nov 04, 2024 - Nov 11, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Nov 05, 2024 - Nov 12, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Nov 06, 2024 - Nov 13, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Nov 07, 2024 - Nov 14, 2024Friday - Friday
Nov 08, 2024 - Nov 15, 2024Saturday - Saturday
Nov 09, 2024 - Nov 16, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 10, 2024 - Nov 17, 2024Monday - Monday
Nov 11, 2024 - Nov 18, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Nov 12, 2024 - Nov 19, 2024Wednesday - Wednesday
Nov 13, 2024 - Nov 20, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Nov 14, 2024 - Nov 21, 2024Friday - Friday
Nov 15, 2024 - Nov 22, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.