Cycling in Croatia: Istria as first stop

Europe is actually one big cycling mecca. Because not only do you find high mountains, stunning descents, cobbles, gravel, sea routes and more. You can enjoy different regions and landscapes every season. Unprecedented in fact. Some destinations are already completely played out. Although: is it possible to play out all of France in your lifetime? Or all of Spain? Pretty tough, but still. The Pyrenees Whether the Alps is already quite a challenge. Yet many cyclists are looking for new places to explore. In recent years, countries around the Adriatic Sea have become increasingly popular. Slovenia is an obvious example, but neighbouring Croatia is also increasingly profiling itself as a cycling destination. Cycling in Croatia a new hit: Rightly so? We took a look at the Balkan country in a series of articles, starting with Istria.

Plenty of options

For those who take a look at the map, they will see it right away. Hrvatska, Croatia, is elongated and shaped somewhat like a T. That means you have countless opportunities to ride around all along the coast, but there is also plenty of variation in cycling inland. Croatia is divided into several regions and surely the most famous is Istria. The area is large enough to ride different routes for several days in a row. With the Vojak in the Ucka National Park, you also have the best climb in Croatia. So let's go!

Ucka National Park

To get straight to the point: the Vojak or Ucka Pass as it is also called. At 1372 metres, it is a steep pimple that sometimes turns white in winter. You can attack this pass, actually the only really high climb in Istria, from three sides. The toughest variant is the western one, from Vranja. This is also the one that is really in Istria. If you have to climb 13.5 kilometres at 8.1% on average, you have a serious challenge here that can compete with the toughest alpine climbs. A 14.5% of maximum ascent is no mean feat. At the top, you have a viewing tower that lets you see the whole park. Truly magnificent. You can combine the climb of this pass nicely with a route from Plomin, where you also have stunning views of the bay. You can then go inland and back along the coast (of Primorje province - Gorski Kotar.

The only way is up

In the park, there is actually only 1 paved road up towards the summit. For the gravel enthusiast, there are some more alternatives. Now you can also start from Plomin, go inland, near Kozljak into the park and climb up unpaved. That offers a nice alternative, where you do have to reckon with hefty gradients. In the end, you can go back and forth, with a small loop and tackle almost 2,500 altitude metres in 66 kilometres. And that with sections of 20 to 25% in it. Das is really beautiful though. You cycle between hills and mountains and if you look carefully you'll see an old ruin or a nice viewpoint left and right.

An alternative tri-border point

The northern side of the peninsula is almost flat, except for a few steep hills. One of the most beautiful places to visit is the centuries-old Savudrija lighthouse, from where you have a great view of the small strip of Slovenia and Italy: an alternative border triangle, in other words. If you're out and about by gravel bike, you can ride a fantastic route tightly along the coast here, heading south towards the towns of Monterol and Umag. Also heading east to the Slovenian border is such a trail.

By road bike, you are soon 'forced' more towards the inland but there you have plenty of entertainment. Ride to the town of Buje and you will be surprised with a small hill that would not be out of place in a Flemish classic. Just 500 metres on with a good stretch above 11%. A little further on is also the town of Triban, known to many mainly for the Decathlon cycling gear.

Wines, wines, wines!

Further inland, you will also find the wine regions, where you can drive nicely between the vineyards. Again, this makes for great pictures. It is also cool to ride the Livade climb. It depends a bit on how you measure, but you could make it almost 6 kilometres long in total, including hairpin bends! Still, that's pretty cool. With a very steep section above the 10% average, this one should not be missed on your holiday. You'd almost think you were in Tuscany are. Certainly from Motovun you have great views.

Pula and surroundings

It is of course possible to drive from the north along the coast to the city of Pula. That road is delightfully undulating. Pula is definitely worth a visit, if only because of the Amphitheatre. Also off the coast of Pula you will find the Brijuni National Park. That is also gorgeous, but on a bike with wide tyres. Just south of Pula is also a kind of peninsula that you can get away with nicely. In addition, inland is Valtura where you'll find some nice hills. These are a little further north. What's also cool: at Krnica it's pretty much straight down to the sea. It's a one-way route so you have to go back up as well. A bit like Sa Calobra on Mallorca but slightly different. At 2.5 kilometres, a lot shorter too but with longer stretches above 10%.

Gravel tip of the day: Parenzana

Cycling along old railways. You can do that in lots of different places these days. So too in Istria over the Parenzana. It has a lot of history, you can start from Trieste in Italy and there is actually little paved road surface. Great, then. Through farmland, over old bridges, tunnels, vineyards, distant views and pretty villages.

In a word: enjoy.

Find out more

On the website of the Croatian tourism agency you will already find lots of info on all activities in this region. You can also visit the site of Parenzana find all the info on this route. In addition, the site of Istria Bike valuable info for accommodations, hotels etc. We say: do it!