Walking Holidays in Croatia - Istria - Short Break Walks
Holiday Highlights
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- Overview
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Our Istrian Short Break begins in the Venetian style hill-top town of Buzet known as the Istrian “Truffle Capital”, be sure to sample these local delicacies. From Buzet you follow riverside and woodland trails to Hum, widely known as the smallest city in the world, before circling back to Buzet along ‘The Way of Mistletoe’. Next you enter Učka Nature Park which contains a wealth of wildlife in addition to the rugged peaks of the Učka Mountains which reward you with exquisite coastal panorama. From here you descend to the charming seaside village of Lovran for your last night in Istria.
The Area
Istria lies in the very north of Croatia and encompasses a land of green countryside filled with meadows, vineyards, rivers, forests and olive trees, as well as beautiful villages and charming medieval towns situated on hilltops. Learn about the fascinating culture and heritage of Istria while you explore picturesque landscapes of rolling hills and enjoy unforgettable views that will leave you breathless.
If you choose to fly into Pula you will have the opportunity to experience Istria’s largest city (time dependent). Pula is home to the well-preserved Roman amphitheatre that dominates the streetscape and doubles as a venue for summer events.
Day 1: You will be collected from Pula airport and transferred to your first hotel in Buzet. Overnight Buzet.
Day 2: The path from Buzet to Hum can be a circular trail or one-way if you start from Hum. The trail begins by the river and turns into forest, passing waterfalls and lakes. This gentle trail will bring you to Kotli where you can spot the springs with natural pools and an old watermill. The trail continues following the riverbed and passing through an abandoned village where you can see traditional Istrian stone houses. From here, you’ll see Hum and its church tower in the distance. You will soon realise why Hum is called the smallest city in the world! In Hum you can eat in the local “Konoba” (Istrian restaurant). The Konoba in Hum offers nothing but delicious, traditional Istrian dishes. The ‘Way of Mistletoe’ will then lead you all the way back to Buzet. This is a shorter option that halves the distance as you can travel out by taxi (at your own expense) and walk back. Overnight Buzet.
Ascent: 560m. Descent: 560m. Distance: 14.5 miles. Time: 7 - 8 hours.
Day 3: You will have a 30-minute transfer to where the trail begins (included). The trek takes you to the top of Učka Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Istria with an altitude of 1401m. The path leads right down to sea level in Lovran and is covered by oak and chestnut forests that give a pleasant freshness in hot weather. The summit of Učka is worth climbing to witness the striking panorama that includes sea and coastal towns. The western side offers views of the whole Istrian peninsula. If visibility is good, you will be able to see towards Venice and the side of the Alps. If you don’t wish to walk all the way down Učka Mountain*, you can descend approximately 1km and be collected by taxi and transferred back to your accommodation (payable locally). Overnight Lovran.
Ascent: 450m. *Descent: 1385m (optional 450m descent). Distance: 9 miles. Time: 5-6 hours.
Day 4: You will be collected from your last hotel in Lovran and transferred back to Pula airport.
Vela Vrata 4*, Buzet
This beautiful boutique hotel is located on a hilltop in the old part of the town of Buzet. It offers stunning views of the River Mirna valley and a completely relaxed getaway for tired walkers. The charmingly furnished rooms retain an antique atmosphere although they are equipped for modern life. As well as the lovely restaurant area, you can eat outside if the weather permits. Room upgrades to superior or president rooms are available at a small supplement. Some rooms also include a massage bathtub.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, minibar, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower/bath and hairdryer.
Hotel Park 4*, Lovran
This friendly hotel provides excellent service and comfort and is located in the old town of Lovran, only 100m from the sea and the famous promenade that connects Lovran and Opatija. Here you can enjoy the clean air, quiet surroundings, good local food and the idyllic small town of Lovran. This hotel is on a B&B basis, so you can select where to dine from the many sea front restaurants now that you are familiar with Istrian cuisine. This hotel also has a locally famous coffee shop which bakes delicious pastries. It also features a wellness centre that includes an indoor pool, fitness centre, massages, whirlpool and a selection of teas. The hotel has free Wi-Fi available to all their guests in the reception area. Room upgrades to a sea-facing room are available at a small supplement.
All rooms feature television, telephone, air conditioning, minibar, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower/bath, and hairdryer.
Availability Information
The trek is available between March and October. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn as Istria is warm during the day and cool during the evening. The summer months are noticeably warmer, the area is also at its busiest during this time so may be too hot for walking and difficult to secure accommodation.
Please note our best to go information is generally referring to the walking
which may fall in the early or late season in some places. This may mean that
not all tourist facilities will be open at the time you visit.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| N/A | N/A | Best | Best | Best | Good | OK | OK | Best | Best | N/A | N/A |
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