Why cycling in Slovenian Istria?
Slovenian Istria is diverse, attractive, with unspoiled nature, moderate climate and offers excellent cycling routes. Experience it and explore with us, our top e-bikes and a professional guide!
Koper is an old Venetian city and a place where archaic architecture mixes with modern. It is the city of the sun, through which the old railway line led all the way to Poreč in Croatia, now the Parenzana cycling route. We follow it to the surrounding seaside towns, the picturesque fishing town of Izola, the Strunjan Regional Park with its salt pans and the 80-meter-high flysch cliff on the north side, which descends to the natural seashore and lagoon. The path takes us further to lively Portorož, and to the pearl of Slovenian Istria – Piran, the city of violin virtuoso Giuseppe Tartini, and to the still operating Sečovlje salt pans.
Cycle the nearby hills, beautiful Istrian villages; enjoy the views of the Slovenian coast, salt pans, vineyards, olive groves and the Gulf of Trieste. With a little luck, in clear weather, your view will spread all the way to the Julian Alps and the Dolomites. The historical remains of the Istrian villages of Korte (208 m), Gažon (241 m), Krog (260 m) and the sources of drinking water will surely impress you. The compact village of Padna (208 m) with 300-years-old trees, olive groves and vineyards, the Dragonja valley, once full of mills, now with interesting terraces and wild nature, invite you to visit them. You will be charmed by Pomjan (342 m), a picturesque village that stretches from the top of Straža (377 m) to the top of Poljana (406 m) with the highest peak in Šavrini (405 m), Marezige (224 m), the heart of specific Refošk vine, and Hrastovlje (165 m) with the famous stone church of the Trinity. On the way, we admire also Zazid (387 m), once surrounded by walls, a village with many water springs, Podpeč (292 m), a clustered settlement just below the Karst edge with world-famous stone walls.
Authentic gastronomy, salt pans, vineyards, olive groves and friendly people, the blue sea colour and beautiful sunsets will surely leave a big impression and call you again and again to this little piece of paradise.
Cycling trails and tours
The meeting point is in the city of Izola, the exact location is announced after registration.
In the hinterland of the Slovenian Istria, there are many marked and unmarked cycling routes of various levels of difficulty, representing the best Slovenia has to offer in terms of off-road cycling. We take you along beautifully arranged asphalt and macadam cycle paths, while more experienced ones enjoy forest paths and single-tracks with variously demanding ascents and descents. The tours are divided into easy, medium and more demanding. They are suitable for beginners as well as families with children and experienced cyclists.
Culinary
We offer only the best on our tours. Local gastronomic specialties such as Istrian truffles and homemade pasta – fuži, and other delicacies such as Istrian cold cuts, wild asparagus, fish from the Adriatic Sea, all prepared with Istrian extra virgin olive oil, typical herbs and spices, with a Refošk or Malvasia glass of wine. On half-day tours, we organize an Istrian snack by previous arrangement, and on a full-day tour, we organize an Istrian lunch. We have not forgotten about vegetarians and vegans. By previous arrangement, you can see on our cycling trips how olive oil, salt, wine, etc. are produced in these times. It is also possible to buy home-grown products.
