Parenzana is literally a cyclist’s dream. 123 kilometers of pure joy, far away from main roads, going through 33 towns from Poreč (Croatia) to Trieste (Italy). That heavenly trail has its own website where you can read more about it.
Just a bit of a history of Parenzana:
“Parenzana was a narrow-gauge railway, operating in northwestern Istria between 1902 and 1935 and connecting the ports of Trieste and Poreč with villages and towns in the interior of the peninsula. In just 33 years of operation, the railway greatly contributed to the economic progress of Istria, transporting wine and olive oil from the surroundings of Buje and Motovun, salt from the salt pans at Piran and Sečovlje, Istrian stone, lime, coal and wood, various agricultural products and, of course, passengers.
On its 123 km long route, the small train linked 33 towns from Trieste to Poreč, so that today it would run on the territory of three countries: Italy – 13 km, Slovenia – 32 km, and Croatia – 78 km.”
On our third day, we took one of the most beautiful parts of Parenzana, from Motovun to Grožnjan. All together, 53 kilometers, 3 hours (not including a sightseeing Grožnjan). The route starts in Livade (there is a kilometer of paved main road between the Motowun part of Parenzana) and goes through Oprtalj, Antonici, Završje, Kostanjica, and Biloslavi before it ends in Grožnjan.
But those are just names because the trail does not go through villages. Instead, there are 6 tunnels, 4 viaducts, and several amazing viewpoints. Some tunnels are long (up to 179 meters) and dark. However, there are lights with sensors that are turned on as you go through. The path is easy to ride on, really pure joy.
In some places, you just can’t continue, you have to stop and enjoy the view for a moment or two. Everything on Parenzana is made for cyclists (and walkers) to enjoy in untouched nature, bright green, and a feeling of mystique.
What more can we say? It is a must-go, must-see cyclist trail! Undoubtedly, we’ll explore the rest of the Parenzana as soon as possible.
There are not too many pictures in the gallery – the scenery was so beautiful that we literally forgot to take them.
When I lived in Poreč, part of Parenzana was practically going through my backyard. I used it mostly for morning and evening runs. A part from Poreč to Vižinada is especially nice for bike rides. Maybe I’ll return one day to finish it all in one day. Trying to find some brave companions. Would you know someone? :D
Yeah, there are some people on my mind. :-) We can start from the back end, leave the cars there, organize a transfer to Poreč, ride the whole Parenzana in one day, and return to the cars. Sleepover, and that would be a nice weekend!