Cycling in Istria is your first stop in Croatia

Cycling in Europe is fantastic. Cycling in Croatia and especially cycling in Istria is no exception. Because not only do you find high mountains, stunning descents, gravel, singletracks and more. You can enjoy different regions and landscapes at any time of year. Unprecedented actually. Some destinations are already completely developed. However: is it possible to play the whole of France in your life? Or the whole of Spain? Quite tricky, but still. The Pyrenees or the Alps is already the best challenge.

In recent years, countries around the Adriatic Sea have become increasingly prominent. Slovenia This is a clear example, but neighboring Croatia is also increasingly becoming a cycling destination. Cycling in Croatia is receiving more and more attention. Istria is a beautiful region and is close to Italy and Slovenia, which offers great options for a trilateral tour.

Plenty of options

For those who take a quick look at the map, they will immediately see it. Hrvatska, Croatia, is long and has a bit of the shape of a T. That means you have countless opportunities to cycle along the entire coast, but there is also plenty of variation in cycling in the interior. Croatia is divided into several regions, and the most famous is certainly Istria. The area is large enough to allow you to cycle several different routes in a row. With the Vojak in the Ucka National Park, you’ll also tackle the most famous climb in Croatia. Let’s go then!

Cycling in Istria: Ucka National Park

To get right to the point: the Vojak or Ucka Pass, as it is also known. With 1372 meters, it is a sizeable hill that even gets white in the winter. You can attack this pass from three sides. The most difficult variant is the western one from Vranja. This is also the one that really is in Istria. If you have to climb 13.5 kilometers at an average of 8.1%, this is a serious challenge that can rival the toughest alpine ascents. A maximum climb of 14.5% is no mean feat. On top of that, there is a viewing tower that shows you the entire park. Truly spectacular. The ascent of this pass can be combined beautifully with a route from Plomin, where you also have a stunning view of the bay. You can then head inland and back along the coast (from the province of Primorje – Gorski Kotar).

The only way is up

In the park there is actually only 1 paved road that leads up towards the top. For the gravel biker there are a few more alternatives. Now you can also enter the park from start point Plomin, via the interior, at Kozljak and from there up the unpaved road. That offers a nice alternative, but you have to take into account steep gradients. This way you can end up going back and forth, with a small loop and in 66 kilometers you will cover almost 2500 meters of elevation gain. And that with sections of 20 to 25% in between. That’s really nice. You cycle through the hills and mountains and if you look carefully you can see an old ruin or a nice vantage point on the left and right.

An alternative three-country point

The northern side of the peninsula is almost flat, with a few steep hills aside. One of the most beautiful places to visit is the centuries-old lighthouse of Savudrija, from where you have a beautiful view of the small strip of Slovenia and Italy: An alternative three-country point, therefore. If you’re traveling by gravel bike, you can ride a fantastic route along the coast, towards the south and the towns of Monterol and Umag. Also towards the east, along the border with Slovenia, there’s a path like that.

With the race bike you are soon ‘forced’ towards the interior of the country, but there is plenty of fun to be had there. Drive to the town of Buje and you are surprised by a hill that would not be out of place in a Flemish classic. Just take off for 500 meters with a steep climb above 11%. A little further on lies the town of Triban, mostly known to many for the Decathlon cycling gear. Cycling in Istria is fantastic.

Wines, wines, wines!

Further inland you’ll also find the wine regions, where you can drive through the vineyards. That also creates beautiful pictures. Additionally, it’s great to drive up the Livade climb. It depends a bit on how you measure it, but you could make it almost 6 kilometers long in total, including hairpin bends! That’s pretty cool. With a very steep stretch above 10% on average, this shouldn’t be missing from your vacation. You could almost think that you’re in Tuscany Yes, you can. Certainly from Motovun you have a beautiful view.

Pula and the surrounding area

It is of course possible to drive from the north along the coast to the city of Pula. That road is wonderfully winding. Pula is absolutely worth a visit, not only because of the Amphitheater. You can also find the Brijuni National Park along the coast of Pula. That is also beautiful, but only by bike with wide tires. Just south of Pula there is also a kind of peninsula where you can get away nicely. In addition, inland there is Valtura where you can find some beautiful hills. Those are a bit further to the north. What is also cool: near Krnica you descend straight down towards the sea. It is a one-way route so you have to go back up again. A bit like Sa Calobra on Mallorca, but just a little different. With 2.5 kilometers, it’s a shorter distance, but there are also longer stretches over 10% kilometers.

Graveltip of the day: Parenzana

Cycling on old railway tracks. Nowadays you can do that in many different places. That includes the Parenzana in Istria. It has a lot of history; you can start from Trieste in Italy and there is actually very little paved road. So it’s great. Through the farmlands, over old bridges, tunnels, vineyards, distant views, and beautiful villages.

In a word: enjoy.

Want to know more about cycling in Istria?

On the website of the Croatian tourism You can find a lot of information about all the activities in this region on the bureau's website. Furthermore, you can find information about the activities in other regions via the website of Parenzana find all the info about this route. Additionally, the website of Istria Bike valuable info for accommodations, hotels etc. We say: do it!