Parenzana cycling route from Trieste to Porec
Duration: 3 days - Departure from Trieste (IT) and arrival in Porec (HR) - L= 145km, D = 1770m
A three-day journey starting from the Gulf of Trieste, the North-East corner of Italy, to the discovery of Istria between its inner part, with vineyards, forests and the part on the coast, with rocks and historic cities by the sea.
You cycle mainly along the route of the old Austro-Hungarian railway opened in 1902 and abandoned in 1935, which connected Trieste (IT) to Porec (currently HR). This means that the slopes are less than 5%, making long curves through the hills.
The modernization of the last half century has unfortunately affected several sections of the "rail road", this does not mean that the cycle paths built diminish the beauty of the route, indeed allowing you to reach impossible places by means of a locomotive.
The overall development is really simple and absolutely passable by cyclists of all levels.
Day 1
Trieste - Portoroz
The starting point is next to the Trieste train station, a position easily reachable by all means of transport and equipped with car parks nearby. The departure within the historic Habsburg city leads to the area of the industrial boom of the 60s for then arrive at the old railway, now for two-wheeled vehicles. You therefore enter the Carso traveling through meadows and woods along slight ups and downs almost always on cycle paths. The second half of the day is on the coast and with a constant view of the sea.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DAY
After a few hundred meters from the start, the route makes a detour to Molo Audace, at the end of which the view of the Gulf of Trieste allows a glimpse of the coast that will be reached in the following hours. Through Piazza Unità d'Italia, the historic centre, you continue along the banks and then next to the new port. Continue following the Cottur cycle path in the direction of Val Rosandra followed by the descent that leads to the junction between Trieste and Muggia until you reach the real cycle path (marked in Slovenia as "D8"), crossing the border with Slovenia in a few meters.
At the end of a beautiful stretch surrounded by trees and vineyards, it follows a kilometer on asphalt on the state road, then passing the highway to return to the cycle path, this time beside a lagoon. You cross the city of Koper, always on the cycle path and, finally, next to the water, reaching the seafront, an appropriate place for a break and a dip in the sea.
It starts again along one of the best stretches of the Parenzana, the road, closed to traffic, next to the Gulf which can be traveled in extreme relaxation. A series of turns avoid entering Izola to proceed in the countryside towards Piran and Portorose final destination of the first stage.
L = 51 km, D = 570 m;
Day 2
Portoroz - Motovun
During the second day of the Parenzana you will enter the Istrian hinterland, passing from flat seafronts to long but docile climbs. In the still intact hilly nature it is difficult to find equipped rest points unless near or near the towns of Buje and Grožnjan, this halfway through the stage. The finish on the Motovun pass is spectacular!
DESCRIPTION OF THE DAY
A nice start to the day with a view of the valley below and the descent towards Portorose. On reaching the main road, turn left, skirting the supermarkets and returning shortly to the Parenzana cycle path. Immediately you enter a campsite, crossing which leads to a road for bikes only above the sea, similar to the stretch between Koper and Izola and bypassing a promontory you pedal towards the hinterland starting to observe the Sicciole salt pans. Always with a flat development you pass the salt pan to cover a stretch in the countryside; a cycle bridge leads to the state border between Slovenia and Croatia.
Beyond the second barrier, turn immediately right, now onto a dirt road. If in Slovenia you almost always cycle on paved cycle paths, in Croatia you proceed almost entirely on dirt roads, mainly with a good surface in fine gravel but without excluding narrow sections with possible tall grass, characteristic karst stones.
The second and last ramp of the Parenzana leads to the old railway, now a white road.
The valley, really wide, already shows the town of Buje from afar and the ascent continues along tunnels and bridges. Near the town of Grisignana, the route includes the detour towards the town, justified both by the beauty of the village and by the strategic position for lunch. Proceeding, in conjunction with the opening of the view towards the upper part of the valley, there is a panoramic point where the view is dominated by the unmistakable presence of the historic town of Motovun, inside a walled enclosure on a solitary hill.
The descent leads with a length similar to that of the ascent to the valley floor at Levade, leads right under the town of Motovun, half of the second stage which offers a breathtaking view at sunset.
L = 60 km, D = 930 m;
Day 3
Monton - Poreč
The final day of the trip is the shortest of the three, thus allowing a visit to the city at the end of the trip and a return to Trieste during the day. The scarce rest stops in the first part are repaid by the abundance in the final city. Almost entirely on dirt roads of better quality than the second stage, the final part is along cycle paths.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DAY
Returning to Parenzana follows a beautiful part of the third stage, pedaling in the "Terra Rossa", a name well represented by the views of the land and vegetation above it, an alternation between woods, meadows and vineyards.
Overcoming the motorway leads to the beginning of the descent towards the coast, without ever affecting the almost complete development along white roads. From the wild part, in a positive sense, of Istria begins the approach to the coastal part with the view of various inhabited centers. A nice descent, always on dirt road but decidedly smooth, marks the arrival at the outskirts of Porec. With a fixed view of the sea, proceed down along cycle paths next to the main road, shortly arriving at the seaside area, closed to traffic.
After the obligatory break with a swim in the sea, the final stretch of the journey begins, proceeding along the seafront in a north-westerly direction, skirting the walls of the city of Poreč, then arriving at the port and finally at the main square, the end of the route. Return to Trieste in evening by shuttle service.
L = 35 km, D = 270 m;
In collaboration with
Three days on the saddle to discover the beauties along the Parenzana cycle path, crossing two borders and innumerable panoramas and environments!
The proposal includes my accompaniment, staff, 24-hour assistance service, security, transfers and "planning" of: overnight stays in 3*** and 4**** category hotels, breakfast, return transfer from Porec to Trieste.
