Active Vacations in Istria

Istria Activity Holidays
Adventure Tours
Istria Active Vacations - Adventure Holidays - Accommodation Croatia

Istria with its 1500 kilometers of various bike tracks is an ideal region for lovers of recreative riding on two wheels. A 7-day arrangement is not long enough to enable visit of all the interesting areas.

But, it will for sure create in
your mind a picture of beauty and attractiveness of this part of Croatia and especially of the provinces that has been hidden from people for a long period of time and that has kept its traditional look and memories of some passed times. From the very south of the peninsula up to the hilly paths and small hills of central and north Istria there are lots of things waiting for us, such as natural beauties, medieval small towns with their belfries, pleasant and simple hosts who will offer the best they have in their old wine-cellars: domestic healthy food and wine as well as warmth of their homes.

THROUGH ISTRIA BY BIKE
7 days cycling tour

Day 1 Arrival and getting settled in a 3-star hotel either in Pula or Medulin. Dinner.

Day 2 We are going to visit deserted and picturesque areas in the vicinity of the biggest Istrian lake – Butoniga. This landscape is full of brooks flowing into the lake, so we can freshen ourselves up with pure and clear water from one of the numerous waterfalls. There are lots of almost deserted small towns on our way. Hum, “the smallest town in the world”, stands out among them. That small town is well known by its medieval city architecture and magnificent view and a wine-cellar where you can taste local wines and traditional Istrian spirits: Biska and Medica. We are going to visit the village Kotle where we shall have a lunch in the tavern on a cliff over the only one water mill on the Mirna river. The path is about 50 kilometers long It passes along the narrow, winding, asphalt and white roads and it is not too demanding.

Day 3 Today we are going to visit the farthest south point of the peninsula – Nature Park – Cape Kamenjak. This protected landscape is a favorite picnic place for lovers of natural beaches, crystal clear sea and rest under the treetops of old pines.It is well known by a huge number of endemic herbs. On the very tip of the cape, next to the canyon, there is a bar in the Robinson’s style where we are going to dine fish specialties and to have a rest. We shall visit a few settlements on our way. Medulin and Premantura, the small tourist towns, stand out among them. A part of the path passes through the deserted eastern coast with beautiful view of the Adriatic islands and high seas. The path mainly passes by the white roads and it is the least demanding path because of its low heights above sea level.

Day 4 Narrow and winding roads and paths intertwine the region of central Istria. It is full of numerous sparsely populated villages and interesting small towns being surrounded by fertile fields and vineyards. The road leads us through the Draga valley that splits Istria in two parts. It starts in the very heart of Istria in the vicinity of attractive hole of Pazin and ends in the Limski Kanal fjord, which is one of the most beautiful Istrian landscapes. On the half way through Draga we are going to visit a phantom memory of the former town Dvigrad. Dvigrad was founded in prehistoric age and completely abandoned in the 17th century after the plague epidemic. In Svetvincenat we are going to visit well preserved medieval castle of the Grimani’s. Height difference amounts to 230 meters and the path is about fifty meters long.

Day 5 The day is reserved for relaxation and can be used according to everybody’s own wish. We can suggest you one-day excursions, such as visit to national parks Plitvice and Brijuni, as well as excursion to Venice by a hydrofoil boat.

Day 6 One of the most attractive bike paths is situated in north Istria, in the region of picturesque medieval small towns situated on the hills and enclosed by ramparts. Narrow paved roads, built in ancient times, lead to these towns. Groznjan, Motovun, Oprtalj, Zrenj, Livade and Zavrsje stand out among them. Being completely abandoned up to recently, these small towns are today a real paradise for artists as well as for all lovers of quite streets, nice panoramas and medieval architecture. This region is well known by truffles, very rare and valuable underground mushrooms having attributed aphrodisiac characteristics. We are going to taste dishes made of truffles in one of numerous taverns in this region. The path is about 50 kilometers long and it is very demanding for the hilly terrain.

Day 7 The mountain path is situated on the mountain massif named Cicarija, from 400 to 1100 meters above sea level. At the same time this is the most demanding route in Istria, but because of attractiveness of riding through the mountain area we mustn’t miss it. The magnificent view of the whole Istria, Adriatic islands, numerous small towns and bellfries, untouched nature and fresh mountain air will compensate the effort invested in riding along this path. Like many other mountains, the Ćićarija is also full of wild animals. That’s why there are several hunting and mountain houses and sheep raising has always been present in these regions. We are going to close the day before leaving with farewell dinner at the rural household with domestic food, wine and fun.

Day 8 Leaving after breakfast.

In case of bad weather or unpredictable circumstances, changes in the schedule are possible.


Additional information

  • It is recommendable that the participants take out personal insurance.
  • Participants are obliged to provide transport to the meeting spot by themselves. Read here more about possibilities of transport.
  • For inquires about departure dates, prices, additional questions and reservations please e-mail us.

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