Cycling The Parenzana Trail (2025)

On the day before you start cycling, you’ll meet our representative in the city of Trieste, Italy. There, you’ll receive your bike and all the gear you need for the journey including a waterproof bag for the ride and go through final equipment checks.

We recommend arriving to Trieste in the morning and spend at least one full day before departure to settle in and calmly prepare for the ride ahead. Use this time to check your readiness, make sure that you are exploring the region at its best.

Take the opportunity to explore the city: visit a local market to gather snacks or supplies for the first days, and enjoy dinner in one of Trieste’s great culinary scenes.

This is where the journey begins.

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Accommodation: Trieste (Italy)

Good morning Italy!
The first moments of your adventure begin as you make your way from Trieste to Muggia a small, peaceful town located at the Gulf of Trieste, eastern Italy. Here, among colorful houses, stone paved alleys, and the scent of the sea in the air, your ride along the historical Parenzana railway begins. You’ll be crossing three countries, immersed in nature, history, and wide open landscapes.

The route winds through green hills, farmland, and small Italian villages. You probably won’t even notice when you cross the border from Italy into Slovenia; this part of the border has no markings, no checkpoints, and no need for passports. It’s a quiet, natural transition through green land.

The next stop will be Koper, a charming port city on the Adriatic coast with its medieval old town, a lively square surrounded by Venetian-style architecture, including the grand Praetorian Palace and an elegant Gothic loggia. Just steps away, the Da Ponte Fountain offers a taste of Venice with its design inspired by the famous Rialto Bridge. Wander a bit further and you’ll come across the Cathedral of the Assumption with its tall bell tower that rewards those who climb it with panoramic views over the bay.

From Koper you will cycle to Izola / Isola, once a fishing village and later a Venetian outpost, its charm lies in the narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses, and a small harbor that still bustles with local boats.

Stroll along the seaside promenade, explore the lively marina, or relax at one of the cozy cafés by the water. The old town is full of character, with hidden courtyards, an authentic vibe that feels untouched by time. A kind of place where you slow down, breathe in the salty air, and simply enjoy the rhythm of coastal life.

From Izola you will cycle to the place where you will spend the night.
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Approximate cycling profile:

Difficulty level: Medium
Distance: 35 km
Highest point: 80 masl
Lowest point: Sea Level
Elevation Gain: 255 masl
Elevation Loss: 255 masl

Accommodation: Area of Izola/Isola (Slovenia)

Good Morning Slovenia. Today brings a lot of great adventures with an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful towns in Slovenia.

You will start the day with a good mix of nature and countryside vibes on your way deep into Istria. If you wish to explore more of the area, take a D-tour to Piran, one of Slovenia’s most picturesque coastal towns, perched on a narrow peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea. With its Venetian-style architecture, maze of winding alleyways, and lively seafront promenade, Piran feels like a step back in time, with a laid-back Mediterranean twist.

At the heart of the town lies Tartini Square, named after the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who was born here. From the square, you can wander up to St. George’s Church. The town is full of hidden corners, charming cafés, and small galleries—perfect for slow, aimless exploration. Whether you’re watching fishing boats come and go, or just enjoying a gelato by the sea.

The next cycle takes you to the salt pans of Sečoveljske Soline/Soline di Sicciole. This magical landscape is a protected nature reserve spread out over a wide stretch of coastal wetlands. It offers a unique glimpse into a centuries-old Iranian tradition where salt has been harvested by hand for over 700 years. It’s a peaceful stop that blends nature, culture, and a deep connection to the land—and a great way to slow down and soak in the spirit of Istria.

From the wetland you will cross the border into Crotia, from where you will accent into the inland of Isria following the railway line on a gravel road mostly. This ride offer a spectacular view and a great understanding of how significant the Parenzana railway was.

Before you arrive at the accommodation, we recommend one more D-tour, this time to Buje, a hilltop Istrian town, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and rolling countryside. Buje, with its blend of medieval charm and a rural atmosphere, rises above the landscape, with narrow cobbled streets, stone houses, and sweeping views in every direction. Once part of the Venetian Republic, Buje still carries traces of its Italian heritage in its architecture and culture. It’s a quiet, scenic stop that invites you to explore on foot, and maybe enjoy a glass of local wine or olive oil straight from the source.

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Approximate cycling profile:

Difficulty level: Medium
Distance: 34 km
Highest point: 198 masl
Lowest point: Sea Level
Elevation Gain: 325 masl
Elevation Loss: 140 masl

Accommodation: Area of Buje/Buja (Croatia)

We hope that you are ready for this great adventure day as the coming kilometers bringing lot’s of experiences. Once you set off for the cycling, you will explore the railway’s greatest construction challenge, the in-land of Istria which is full of hills covered with vineyards, olive groves and medieval hilltop towns and villages.

The first will be Triban, the kind of place where life moves at a slower pace and nature is never far away. While it’s a quiet stop, Triban offers a glimpse into everyday rural life in Istria—simple, authentic, and grounded in tradition.

From Triban you will cycle to Grožnjan/Grisignana, located in the central Istria area. This charming medieval village is also known by its nickname, the “Town of Artists.” Its narrow streets and stone walls open onto sweeping views of the Mirna River valley, vineyards, olive groves, and even the distant Adriatic. It’s a lively blend of art, history, heritage, and nature. A place to wander, listen to music echo through historic alleys, chat with artists, savour local delicacies, and simply breathe in the creative spirit of Istria.

We would lie if we told you that this is all for today, but the rest of the day brings so many good stops that we can’t even dive into all of them. From the tiny, hilltop Završje/Piemonte d’Istria, which is partially abandoned today, to Livade, a town lies along the Mirna River and celebrated as the “truffle capital” of the region, perfect stop for food lovers, history seekers, and curious travelers.

From Livade which is located in the valey you will accent toward Motovun, high on a 277 m hill overlooking the lush Mirna River valley, Motovun (Italian Montona d’Istria) is one of Istria’s most enchanting medieval hilltop towns with its rich Celtic and Illyrian roots, fortified walls, and charming cobbled streets, this village feels like stepping into a storybook. You will spend the night in Motovun so you get the chance to explore this ancient town, sip a full-bodied Istrian wine, or hunt fragrant truffles.

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Approximate cycling profile:

Difficulty level: Medium
Distance: 34 km
Highest point: 305 masl
Lowest point: Sea Level
Elevation Gain: 455 masl
Elevation Loss: 420 masl

Accommodation: Motovun

We hope you are ready to get off to the last stage of the Parenzana trail, this day you will be cycling mostly down the hills of inland Istria back to the Adriatic coastline.

The first part of the way is on an off-road cycle path in the fantastic nature of the peninsula.

You will pass by the Vižinada, a perfect blend of Istrian soul, food, breathtaking landscapes, and charming traditions. A haven for travelers seeking slow exploration.

From Vižinada you will be cycling along small villages and have the opportunity to explore one of the most iconic hidden gems of Istria—Baredine Cave, a stunning underground world carved by water over millions of years. The cave has been open to visitors since 1995, and since then, it has been a natural wonder for many. This ancient karst cave leads visitors through a magical underground world filled with towering stalactites, mysterious formations, and even rare cave-dwelling creatures like the olm. The cool, steady temperature and well-lit paths make it an easy and refreshing stop, perfect for a short break during your cycling journey.

The last stage of the day will lead you directly to Poreč. Poreč also known with its italian name Parenzo, where the railway line and the trails’ name comes from. The during its gloriuos time the Parenzana railway made it way to this charming coastal town.

Built on a narrow peninsula protected by the island of Sveti Nikola, it’s nearly 2,000 years old. The atmospheric old town follows the layout of a Roman colony, with main streets Cardo Maximus and Decumanus leading to Marafor Square. The heart of its history is the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Byzantine mosaics Along the waterfront and in cozy side streets, you’ll find Gothic and Venetian architecture, plenty of cafés, beaches, and marinas—making Poreč a lovely mix of ancient history, seaside charm, and vibrant local life. The perfect place to complete your short cycling holiday.

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Approximate cycling profile:

Difficulty level: Medium
Distance: 35 km
Highest point: 276 masl
Lowest point: Sea Level
Elevation Gain: 185 masl
Elevation Loss: 440 masl

Accommodation: Not Included