A former narrow-gauge railway linking Trieste to Poreč between 1902 and 1935, the Parenzana now crosses the Istrian hinterland on a gently graded cycling route, shaped by the technical constraints of the original railway.
A route shaped by the old railway line
From Poreč, the route heads into the hills of Istria for about 42 km and 450 m of cumulative elevation gain, always on a mild gradient since the old line never exceeded a 2.5% grade. The path passes through vineyards, olive groves and several original tunnels and viaducts from the railway infrastructure.
Hilltop villages along the way
The route passes near Grožnjan, a medieval village turned artists’ colony, and Vižinada, at the heart of a region known for its truffles and vineyards. Both are worth a short detour on foot from the main trail to explore their cobbled lanes.
Getting the ride right
Gravel tires in the 35-40mm range are enough for the whole route, mostly rolling on a well-maintained compacted trail. A light is still worth carrying for the few original railway tunnels still open to cyclists.
When to go
April to June and September to October — the summer heat and the tourist crowds on the Istrian coast make the peak months less pleasant for this inland route.
Good to know
Poreč, a busy coastal tourist town, offers the widest choice of accommodation in the area, while cyclists wanting to ride the full historic Parenzana can extend the route into Slovenia and Italy as far as Trieste.
