What do avid and passionate cyclists want for their cycling vacation? Surely being able to reach his chosen destination with his car and bicycle, and of course the trip should not take more than 3-4 hours. He is undoubtedly interested in the various and fascinating trails in the area-attractive, well-marked, in good condition, with some adventurous offerings. Very good quality maps and GPX tracks would be appreciated. A good offer of lodging, an interesting venue, and good food would also bode well.
What is the solution?
Not far from Trieste, a few hours’ drive from almost anywhere in northern Italy, Istria is easily accessible and a destination to visit with friends or family. Excellent accommodations of all kinds can be found here, from large hotels to family-friendly boutique hotels to private accommodations.
Some cyclists, instead of standard accommodations prefer specialized facilities, and here you can choose from more than 130 Istra Bike&Bed facilities, which know how to meet the needs of every cyclist. In such facilities it is possible to safely store bikes and equipment in an enclosed, secure space and get information and advice on how to organize your vacation.
Istria is especially proud of its more than 160 bike paths-from easy, family-friendly ones to difficult ones for the more experienced; from short to long routes with few or many climbs; for MTB, trekking, or road bikes. On the official website www.istria-bike.com you can find GPX tracks and details, online maps, and materials to consult before leaving for vacation.
Most routes, identifiable by specific numbers, are marked with standard signage. Deliberately some parts of the trails have not been marked – to leave the fun of wandering around in nature, to have a little harmless adventure!
For the inexperienced and for families, the site’s Family&Recreation category identifies easy routes up to 13 kilometers long that are easy and technically undemanding. Busy roads are avoided completely and emphasis is placed on safety.
Planning your vacation in Istria
Regardless of the data available online, for greater planning and enjoyment while cycling, use the excellent cycling maps that cover the entire Istrian peninsula and can be found free of charge in the offices of local tourist boards.
In Istria, the quality of specialized service providers offering services needed by even the most demanding services needed by has reached high levels over the past decade. First and foremost, we are talking about bicycle rental services of all types (road, MTB, e-bike, gravel), bicycle assistance in case of breakdown, fast transportation to and from a location as well as for return to accommodation in case of breakdown. But, if you don’t feel comfortable cycling alone on unfamiliar trails, there are specialized agencies with trained bicycle tour guides at your disposal; bicycle guides have been receiving official professional training since 2008 according to national standards. Bicycle guides are local people who know even the most hidden and unknown trails, happy to create excursions tailored to your needs and desires.
For more demanding cyclists there are specialized trails designed for enduro and freeride. Try the enduro trails around Groznjan that give the thrill of big descents. Also, in the Ćićarija area there are quite challenging MTB circular routes, mostly on single-trail trails, dedicated only to experienced cyclists!
For the latter, there is also the Rabac bike park with numerous descents for MTB cyclists, where full-suspension bikes are best used. Only flaw? It is not appropriate for families.
Decommissioned railroads
The history of cycling in Istria would be incomplete without mentioning the two routes built on former railroad tracks: the Parenzana and the Štrika.
The Parenzana is a decommissioned narrow-gauge railway (1902-1935) that runs from Trieste, through Slovenia, and to Porec. In the Croatian part of Istria, this is 78 kilometers to be covered with MTB bicycles, as the route is mainly unpaved. The route starts at the border with Slovenia, from Plovania, and ends precisely in Porec, passing through beautiful areas of unspoiled nature, small villages, tunnels and viaducts. With its gentle ascents (which used to be traveled by the small locomotive), it is suitable for everyone, even the less experienced. For more details on the history of this railway or the current bicycle route there is the official website – www.parenzana.net.
The Štrika is also a bicycle and pedestrian path that follows the route of a former railway line, the one between Kanfanar and Rovinj, which is about 20 kilometers long. This route was made a few years ago and connects the interior of Istria with the charming town of Rovinj, and is definitely a recommended section to visit. Because of its length, it can be traveled in a day, and one can return independently to the starting point (taking the same route or some dirt paths that run parallel).
Finally
Among the visitors there may also be some who are less interested in biking; for those, one of the walking and hiking trails is recommended. Among the ninety trails (and 20 mountain trails) scattered throughout Istria, there is something for everyone. As with cyclists, all content is available at www.istria-trails.com.
All other information on cultural attractions, trivia, leisure and trip planning can be found on the official website www.istra.com.
It is possible to have a pleasant and enjoyable vacation in Istria, a place to return to and spend unforgettable time.
