Day 1:  Arrival in Istria

You will be met by our local representative at the hotel reception area, for a briefing and you will be provided with your package including hotel vouchers, maps and a road book and luggage tags. Overnight in Buje Area.
We can arrange for you to be picked up from Poreč and transferred to your Hotel.

Day 2:  HIKING BRTONIGLA to BUJE  –  13 km / 8 miles (3-4 h)
Short transfer to Brtonigla (10 minutes).

Vineyards and olive groves and a network of pathways through meadows and woods.  An area of superior wines and olive oils – many family cellars often open to passers-by!

After 3 hours you reach Buje, a small town hilltop town full of history from where there are fine views  across the terraced landscape. Overnight in Buje area.

Distance:  13 km / 8 miles (3-4 h)
Ascent: 300m. Descent: 269m.
Points of interest:  Momjan Castle, Wine cellar with local wine, local food, views

Day 3:  GROŽNJAN to MOTOVUN  –  24 km / 15 miles (5-6h)

After a 10 minute transfer you start walking along the former Parenzana railway line. This was a narrow – gauge Austrian railway connecting Trieste with Poreč from 1902 until 1935 through a series of small towns.

Grožnjan will be your start point and then following the route of the old line across rolling countryside you reach the village of Livade, the truffle centre of the world. Facing Livade is the hill town of Motovun. Overnight in Motovun.

Distance: 24 km / 15 miles. Time: 5-6 hours.

Ascent: 546m. Descent: 609m.

Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately 16 km / 10 miles, taking 3-4 hours

Points of interest:  Parenzana ex railway line, Tunnels and bridges, Grožnjan the city or artists, Livade the truffle center of the world, Motovun.

Day 4:  OPRTALJ to BUZET –  20 km / 13 miles (4 ½ -5 h)

A short transfer (15 minutes) to Oprtalj, a charming little town from where begins the Istrian Mountain Trail. The route goes downhill into the forest, passing the village of Sv.Ivan and then St. Lucija with its beautiful church. There are some wonderful views over the Mirna valley, after which the trail passes Pietrapelosa castle and leads down towards the valley floor. A beautiful view over the town of Buzet where you spend two nights.

Distance: 20 km / 13 miles. Time: 4 ½ -5 hours

Ascent: 622m. Descent: 866m.

Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately 13 km / 8 miles, taking 2-3 hours.

Points of interest:  Oprtalj, Untouched nature of inland, Mirna river valley view, City of Buzet.

Day 5:  BUZET – HUM – BUZET-  15 miles (6-7 h)

A circular walk today takes you first along the river and then entering forest, passing waterfalls and small lakes. The trail leads you not too steeply to Korita, with its natural springs and pools and an old watermill.

Passing through Benčići, an abandoned village of traditional Istrian stone houses, you will see Hum and it’s unmistakable church tower in the distance. When you get to Hum, you will see why it is the smallest town in the world. Here you may eat in the local “konoba”, or restaurant, which in Hum offers you only traditional Istrian dishes.

The ‘mistletoe way’ will lead you all the way back to Buzet. Overnight in Buzet.

Distance: 15 miles. Time: 6-7 hours.

Ascent: 553m. Descent: 560m.

Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately 12 km / 8 miles. Time: 3-4 hours.

Points of interest:  Mirna river canyon, Nature, Old mill on the river, Kotli (natural pools), Hum the smallest city in the world.

Day 6:  UČKA  – Lovran  11 km/7 miles (4-5 h)
Transfer to Poklon (30 minutes), lying in a saddle between two hills.

The trail takes you to the top of Mt. Učka, the highest mountain in Istria at 1401m, from where the views over Kvarner Bay; the mountains; and the whole Istria peninsula – even the Italian Alps when the weather is clear, are quite stunning.

From here descend amid cooling oak and chestnut forest to the sea at Lovran.  Overnight in 4* hotel in Lovran.
Distance: 11 km/7 miles. Time: 4-5 hours.

Ascent: 452m. Descent: 1386m (optional 452m descent).

Alternative shorter walk is available at approximately Ascent: 90m. Descent: 390m. Distance 6 km/4 miles. Time: 2 hours.

Points of interest:  Učka nature park, Highest mountain in Istria (1401 m) , Beautiful 360° view on surrounding kvarner bay islands and Istrian inland.

Day 7:  DEPARTURE OR EXTRA NIGHTS

ACCOMMODATION:

2 x overnights in guesthouse/hotel 3*in Buje

1 x overnights in guesthouse/hotel 3*in Motovun

2 x overnights in guesthouse/hotel 3*/4*in Buzet

1 x overnights in guesthouse/hotel 4*in Lovran

All rooms with private bathroom.  Breakfast each morning.

GETTING THERE:

By air Pula or Trieste airports.

There are bus transfers from both Trieste and Pula to Porec.  Pula is closer and journey is about 1 hour.  Trieste is about 2.5 hours.

What to take:

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sunblock/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit.

Insurance:

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
Contact us now to book this walk or make an enquiry.