Walking in green Istria

A 5-, 7- or 8 day walking tour in Croatia
Walking tour
Walking Tour
Difficulty level 2,5
Individual tour
Self guided tour
code: CRO01W
Croatia

Prices

from 690€

Walking Adventure Through Green Istria

Buje-Grožnjan-Motovun-Oprtalj-Buzet-Hum-Mount Učka-Lovran

Imagine walking through a lush and unspoiled countryside, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, rivers and forests, crossing authentic Croatian villages and medieval hill towns. An experience that feels like a dream… and becomes reality! This walking tour in Green ISTRIA allows you to discover, step by step, one of Croatia’s most fascinating regions. Along every path and bend, the natural beauty of Istria unfolds before your eyes, offering breathtaking scenery and unforgettable views.

During the journey, you will explore the Istrian culture and historical heritage, visiting picturesque hilltop towns where time seems to stand still. You will stroll through stone alleys, medieval walls and charming squares, immersing yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the region. The tour includes a visit to Hum, the smallest town in the world, and lets you relive the spirit of the past in Motovun and Grožnjan, known as the town of artists. You will also discover the best of Istrian nature with hikes in Učka Nature Park, a protected area rich in flora and fauna. To complete the experience, the pleasures of the table are not to be missed: you will enjoy local gastronomic specialties and Istrian wines, an authentic expression of the territory.

The 8-day tour has an extra night in Motovun. You make a loop walk of 15 km through the vineyards of this wine area. You pass the village of Brkač, where you could take a break to enjoy a delicious Istrian lunch. The Parenzana trail will bring you back to Motovun. During the hike, there are opportunities to taste wines in a local winery.

The daily program of the 5-day tour

Individual arrival in Istria. Briefing with our local representative at 7pm at the hotel reception. In this occasion will be handed over the tour package including hotel vouchers, maps and a road book, luggage tags.

Overnight stay in the Buje Area

Accommodation: *** stars Guesthouse or **** Hotels/***** wine residence

Transfer: to first hotel is not included

After breakfast, you will begin exploring the Istrian villages and hidden trails of this beautiful area. With a short transfer of about 10 minutes, you will reach the starting point of the walk along the former Parenzana railway, a historic 123-km Austrian railway line that once connected Trieste to Poreč, passing through numerous small towns. Operating from 1902 to 1935, the Parenzana has now been converted into a cycling and walking trail winding through the rolling hills of Istria. The route starts in Grožnjan and leads you through tunnels, ancient bridges and scenic viewpoints. Continuing on, you will reach Livade, the renowned truffle center, where you will have the opportunity to taste and purchase local truffle products. On the opposite side of Livade, perched on a hilltop, lies the historic town of Motovun, where you will spend the night.

Overnight with breakfast in Motovun.
Accommodation: *** stars B&B or 3 stars Hotel / **** Hotel

Transfer: 10 minutes transfer + luggage transfer included

Longer route:
Walking distance: 25 km / 15,5 miles
Ascent & Descent: + 511m – 573m.
Walking time: 5-6 hours.

Shorter route:
Walking distance: 20 km / 12,5 mi
Walking time: 5-6 hours.

Today you will enjoy a circular walk from Hum to Buzet, ideal for a shorter route. The trail begins along a river, which you will follow until you enter the forest, passing by waterfalls and small lakes. The path is easy and gently sloping, leading you to Korita, where the spring waters form natural pools and you can admire an old water mill. Continuing along the riverbed, you will reach Benčići, an abandoned village where traditional Istrian stone houses are still visible. Then you will get the first view of Hum and its characteristic bell tower. Once in town, you can stroll and discover why Hum is known as the smallest town in the world. Here, you can enjoy typical Istrian dishes in the “konoba”, the local restaurants. Finally, the Mistletoe Trail will take you back to Buzet, completing the day’s circular route.

Overnight with breakfast in Buzet.
Accommodation: *** stars hotel / **** stars hotel

Transfer: not included

Longer route:
Walking distance: 24,5 km / 15 miles;
Ascent & Descent: + 343m – 333m.
Walking time: 7-8 hours.

Shorter route:
Walking distance: 12 km / 7,5 miles;
Walking time: 3/4 hours.

Today, a transfer to Poklon marks the start of your walk. The route will take you up to the summit of Mount Učka (Vojak), the highest mountain in Istria at 1,401 m. From the summit, the trail descends all the way to sea level in Lovran. Along the way, you will walk through oak and chestnut forests, providing coolness and shade during summer days. The climb to Mount Učka will be rewarded with breathtaking views over the Kvarner Gulf, the coastal towns and the surrounding mountains, including Obruc, Snježnik, and Risnjak. On the western side of the Istrian peninsula, a unique panorama unfolds, and on a clear day, you may even catch glimpses of Venice and the Alps to the north.

Overnight with breakfast in Lovran.
Accommodation: **** stars hotels

Included Transfer: 30 min transfer from Buzet to Poklon (Start point) + luggage transfer

Longer route:
Walking distance: 15 km / 9,5 miles
Ascent & Descent: + 783m – 1692m
Walking time: 5 hours.

Shorter route:
Walking distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Ascent & Descent: + 28m – 382m
Walking time: 2 hours.

The daily program of the 7-day tour

Individual arrival in Istria. Briefing with our local representative at 7pm at the hotel reception. In this occasion will be handed over the tour package including hotel vouchers, maps and a road book, luggage tags.

Overnight stay in the Buje Area

Accommodation: *** stars Guesthouse or **** Hotels/***** wine residence

Transfer: to first hotel is not included

Today a short transfer to Brtonigla, the starting point of the walk, is scheduled. You will follow trails through meadows and forests, crossing vineyards and olive groves set in a vibrant and still unspoiled natural environment, far from modern civilization. This area is renowned for its high-quality Istrian wines and extra virgin olive oil, produced by numerous family-run wineries, where it will be possible to stop for an optional tasting. After about three hours of walking through the vineyards, you will reach Buje, a charming hilltop town. From the town you can enjoy beautiful views over terraced fields, vineyards and olive groves. You will have time to explore this town rich in history and culture. Following the route of the former Parenzana railway, the walk will end directly at your hotel in the Buje area.

Overnight with breakfast in Buje area
Accommodation: *** stars Guesthouse or **** Hotels/***** wine residence

Transfer: 10 minutes transfer included

Walking distance:16-18 km / 10-11 miles
Ascent/Descent: + 268m – 278m.
Walking Time: 4/5 hours.

After breakfast, you will begin exploring the Istrian villages and hidden trails of this beautiful area. With a short transfer of about 10 minutes, you will reach the starting point of the walk along the former Parenzana railway, a historic 123-km Austrian railway line that once connected Trieste to Poreč, passing through numerous small towns. Operating from 1902 to 1935, the Parenzana has now been converted into a cycling and walking trail winding through the rolling hills of Istria. The route starts in Grožnjan and leads you through tunnels, ancient bridges and scenic viewpoints. Continuing on, you will reach Livade, the renowned truffle center, where you will have the opportunity to taste and purchase local truffle products. On the opposite side of Livade, perched on a hilltop, lies the historic town of Motovun, where you will spend the night.

Overnight with breakfast in Motovun.
Accommodation: *** stars B&B or 3 stars Hotel / **** Hotel

Transfer: 10 minutes transfer + luggage transfer included

Longer route:
Walking distance: 25 km / 15,5 miles
Ascent & Descent: + 511m – 573m.
Walking time: 5-6 hours.

Shorter route:
Walking distance: 20 km / 12,5 mi
Walking time: 5-6 hours.

Today a short transfer to Oprtalj, a picturesque town in the heart of the Istrian peninsula, is scheduled. From here you will start the Istrian Mountain Trail, a route that descends into the forest and passes through the village of St. Ivan. Continuing on, you will reach St. Lucia, with its beautiful church, before arriving at a panoramic viewpoint offering one of the best views over the Mirna River valley. The trail then passes by the Pietrapelosa Castle and descends into the valley. After crossing an ancient aqueduct, the path climbs again towards the village of Mali Mlun and other small rural hamlets. Along the way, you will enjoy splendid views of the town of Buzet. Walking through forests and open fields, the trail will finally lead you to Buzet, where the day comes to an end.

Overnight with breakfast in Buzet.

Accommodation: *** stars hotel / **** stars hotel

Transfer: 15 min transfer + luggage transfer included

Longer route:
Walking distance: 18 km / 11 miles
Ascent & Descent: + 496m – 700m
Walking time: 5/6 hours.

Shorter route:
Walking distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Walking time: 2/3 hours.

Today you will enjoy a circular walk from Hum to Buzet, ideal for a shorter route. The trail begins along a river, which you will follow until you enter the forest, passing by waterfalls and small lakes. The path is easy and gently sloping, leading you to Korita, where the spring waters form natural pools and you can admire an old water mill. Continuing along the riverbed, you will reach Benčići, an abandoned village where traditional Istrian stone houses are still visible. Then you will get the first view of Hum and its characteristic bell tower. Once in town, you can stroll and discover why Hum is known as the smallest town in the world. Here, you can enjoy typical Istrian dishes in the “konoba”, the local restaurants. Finally, the Mistletoe Trail will take you back to Buzet, completing the day’s circular route.

Overnight with breakfast in Buzet.
Accommodation: *** stars hotel / **** stars hotel

Transfer: not included

Longer route:
Walking distance: 24,5 km / 15 miles;
Ascent & Descent: + 343m – 333m.
Walking time: 7-8 hours.

Shorter route:
Walking distance: 12 km / 7,5 miles;
Walking time: 3/4 hours.

Today, a transfer to Poklon marks the start of your walk. The route will take you up to the summit of Mount Učka (Vojak), the highest mountain in Istria at 1,401 m. From the summit, the trail descends all the way to sea level in Lovran. Along the way, you will walk through oak and chestnut forests, providing coolness and shade during summer days. The climb to Mount Učka will be rewarded with breathtaking views over the Kvarner Gulf, the coastal towns and the surrounding mountains, including Obruc, Snježnik, and Risnjak. On the western side of the Istrian peninsula, a unique panorama unfolds, and on a clear day, you may even catch glimpses of Venice and the Alps to the north.

Overnight with breakfast in Lovran.
Accommodation: **** stars hotels

Included Transfer: 30 min transfer from Buzet to Poklon (Start point) + luggage transfer

Longer route:
Walking distance: 15 km / 9,5 miles
Ascent & Descent: + 783m – 1692m
Walking time: 5 hours.

Shorter route:
Walking distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Ascent & Descent: + 28m – 382m
Walking time: 2 hours.

Departure after breakfast or possibility to extend your stay.

Impressions of Istria

Walking in green Istria
Self guided tour
Difficulty level 2,5
A 5-, 7- or 8 day walking tour in Croatia

Buje-Grožnjan-Motovun-Oprtalj-Buzet-Hum-Mount Učka-Lovran

Code | CRO01W
LEVEL 2,5

A walking tour with choices between longer walks (lev. 3) and shorter walks lev. 2,5 with significant differences in level. For walkers with experience and good physical condition.

Total km: from 38 km / 23,61 mi to 115 km / 63 mi

 
DEPARTURES:

Daily from 15 March until 15 of November 2026

 
PARTICIPANTS:

1 or more people.

 
START / FINISH:

Buje / Lovran 

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