Best CyclingTrip

Istria, Croatia

Rovinj and the Zlatni Rt forest by bike with kids

Start point

Rovinj

Distance

15 km

Elevation gain

60 m D+

Duration

Half a day

Difficulty

Easy

Best season

April to October

Family

Rovinj, one of Croatia’s most photogenic Venetian port towns, gives access to the Zlatni Rt (Punta Corrente) coastal forest, a park planted in the 19th century that offers one of the most pleasant family bike rides in Istria.

A shaded path between pines and coves

From the centre of Rovinj, overlooked by the Church of St. Euphemia perched on its promontory, the path follows the coast toward the Zlatni Rt park for about 15 km round trip. The route, almost entirely flat, winds beneath dense cover of Mediterranean pines and exotic species planted in the Austro-Hungarian era, with numerous direct access points to rocky coves.

Getting the family ride right

With barely 60 m of cumulative elevation gain, this ride poses no difficulty and suits kids pedalling on their own from a young age. The many coves accessible from the paths make it easy to break up the ride with swimming stops, a real perk in hot weather.

When to go

April to October, with the Zlatni Rt park’s dense shade keeping the ride pleasant even in high summer, unlike more exposed stretches of the Istrian coast. Spring and early autumn bring lighter tourist crowds.

Good to know

Rovinj, one of Istria’s most-visited towns, offers a wide choice of accommodation, with convenient access to Vrsar and Bale for extending the stay along the Istrian coast.

Getting to Rovinj

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Where to stay near Rovinj

A selection of well-located places to stay so you can start the ride fresh.

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Recommended gear

  • Bike trailer or child seatAmazon
  • Swimwear (swimming coves)Amazon

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Zlatni Rt forest come from?+

This forest park, planted in the late 19th century by Austro-Hungarian baron Georg Hütterott on land that had until then been barren, mixes exotic species introduced at the time with local Mediterranean pines — a now-protected botanical heritage that gives the park its dense shade and coolness, rare along this stretch of the Istrian coast.

Can you swim during the ride?+

Yes, numerous rocky coves accessible directly from the park's paths let you take swimming breaks along the way, a welcome perk for cooling off the whole family on the hottest days of the Istrian summer.

Other nearby spots