There is no better way to explore Istria than by the spending the day on one of the region's many bicycle trails. With 19 interconnected, marked trails covering approximately 560 total kilometres, Umag has become a top destination in Istria for recreational and professional cyclists. And with varying trail difficulties ranging from beginner to expert, finding a track that suits your abilities is easy. Kilometres of coastline provide an easy, scenic route for a fun-filled day. Maybe a more difficult ride is what you are looking for? The hilly countryside of Buje, which rises to approximately 500 meters above sea level, is perfect for the cyclist looking for a Croatia mountain biking experience. Whatever your pleasure, you will not be disappointed. Seeing all the beauty Istria has to offer will not be difficult from the bike trails. Not only do trails offer breath-taking sea views, but they also present numerous historical landmarks along the way, making your ride even more enjoyable. With clean, fresh air and breathtaking landscapes, Umag is certainly a fantastic biking region for everyone. So fill up your water bottle, map out your ride and prepare an unforgettable Croatia biking experience. 

Download brochure PDF CLICK HERE: Northwestern Istria bike guide 

Let us propose you a special mtb tour called PARENZANA  > 61 km + 290 m climbing - 3/4 hours

The Parenzana is one of the most popular mtb tracks in Istria, an ideal way for discovering it's natural beauties. Forests and streams, konobas and cellars, hidden chapels and ancient ruins – all these attractions are linked by more than 500 kilometres of bicycle trails.  Parenzana was a narrow-gauge railway operating between 1902 and 1935 between Trieste and Poreč (at that time Parenzo, hence the name Parenzana). It connected Istria to the inland of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy, of which Istria was an integral part. The railroad was of extreme importance as it brought economic progress to the most isolated and poorest parts of Istria, thereforeit is not surprising that people still remember it with respect and nostalgia. The railway transported wine, olive oil, salt, fruit, vegetables, lime, wood and other goods to the market and it ran through North-western Istria connecting Trieste with Poreč via Koper, Piran, Buje, Groznjan, Završje, Livade, Motovun, and Vizinada. The last train rode on August 31st, in 1935. Since it couldn’t compete with the road transportation it was dismantled, carriages and locomotives sold and reallocated, while rails were loaded on a ship for Abyssinia which allegedly ended up sunkensomewhere in the Mediterranean. Even though it has been 73 years since Parenzana closed, most railway stations have survived as many were converted into homes. Viaducts and tunnels are preserved as well and are exceptionally attractive. Many passionate hikers, researchers, cyclists and nature lovers have been long aware of the beauty of this magical route emphasizing that it can have huge potential if adequately revitalized. With the financial support of the European Union, vegetation and obstacles have been cleared from the ailway route, and the bridges have been restored and equipped with security fences. Being financed by multinational European Union and connecting three states - Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, Parenzana is rightly called The Path of Health and Friendship. On May 10th 2008, on the almost forgotten route of the former railway line, there was a formal opening of the cycling route “Parenzana”.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Even though the route starts near the border crossing Plovanija we recommend you start in the tourist settlement Kanegra, from where you should follow yellow markings in the direction of Buje. The route twists left at almost 180 degrees and passes by the former station Savudrija-Salvore; take the tarmac road there and continue towards the village of Markovac. In Markovac come off the route of the railway Parenzana and take the main road; turn left to the crossroads with the main Istrian road “Y”; cross the crossroads and, following the yellow signpost, turn right again onto Parenzana which will take you to Kaldanija; turn right and along the main road continue to Buje. After 1.5 km turn left then again turn to the unpaved Parenzana route; across Volpija continue to the main road Buje-Kaštel, there turn right towards Buje and after 1 km following the sign Parenzana turn left to a narrow concrete path. Having passed by the building of the former railway station Buje, carry on the left along the main road towards Groznjan; after two sharp turns, turn right and return to the unpaved Parenzana route. Continue by the station Triban to the very entrance of the closed tunnel Sv. Vid. Turn right and circumvent in front of the town of Groznjan, we pass through the tunnel Kalcini (178.7 m), and return again to the unpaved road route. Continue through Biloslavi, Kostanjica tunnel (69.9 m) and arrive to the foot of the hill on top of which is Zavrsje. Take the wide unpaved road and continue along Parenzana to the tunnel Zavrsje 1 (35 m) and Zavrsje 2 (28m), followed by the viaduct Zavrsje (61.8 m). Carry on along the route passing the village of Vi�intini and after a few hundred meters you will arrive to the viaduct Antonci (61.8 m). Shortly after the viaduct you will reach the village of Krti where you continue along the Parenzana route. After a few kilometres the route takes you over the viaduct (68.5 m) and through the tunnel Freski (146 m). Arriving to the railway station Oprtalj descent in a gentle rightward turn over the viaduct Oprtalj (75,2 m) and there continue further downhill; after a few kilometres you will come to Livade, and its Museum with the Parenzana collection. From Livade, the route takes you along the main road which crosses the bridge over the Mirna river followed from where it keeps going uphill on the left edge of Motovun hill, passesing through the tunnel Motovun (222 m) and continues toward former station of Karojba to the viaduct Krvar (39.9 m). Continuing uphill you will arrive to the viaduct of Sabadin (64 m) and then to the former station Vizinada, where the route of Parenzana reaches its end.

ALL DETAILS IN www.coloursofistria.com

Accommodation in bike hotels, facilities with special licences, will meet the high criteria for receiving cyclists in all aspects. The bike hotels are located in the immediate vicinity of the cycling trails and they combine sports nutrition, wellness complexes, repair shops, detailed information on the routes and numerous other services tailor-made for the cyclists.

Bike & More offers to BIKE GROUPS SPECIAL PACKAGES IN THE HOTEL SOL GARDEN ISTRA**** SPORT HOTEL
PERIOD from January 2nd to March, 31st,  2012
        
Package for 5 overnight stays at a prize of EUR 200,00 half-board per person in a double room

The package includes:

• *A welcome drink upon the group's arrival
• *5 x overnight stays in a double room, half-board (diner and breakfast buffet - showcooking)
•  Rich menu selection adapted to cyclists
• *Free access to the indoor swimming pool and fitness area
• *1 x access to the wellness centre (sauna and whirlpool complex - max. 2 hrs)
• *Sojourn tax
• *one-man music band entertainment every night in the aperitif bar
• *possibility to use the conference room max 1-2 hrs once a day
• *1 dinner drink 2 dl of your choice: water, juice or beer
• * BIKE ROOM
•  A safe, locked room with 24/7 video surveillance for free storage  
•  of bicycles. The room has rails and hooks for bicycles. Here you can find
•  all equipment necessary for care and maintenance of bicycles.
• * BIKE CORNER
•  Hotel's info corner for cyclists has all the information on the destination and its offers
• * CYCLING TRAILS AND ROUTES
•  Informational material entitled Bike Guide through North-Western Istria with maps and routes of the area
• * WEATHER INFORMATION
•  Daily weather forecast
• * CYCLING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Additional payment upon request:

• * LAUNDRY SERVICE
• * BIKE LUNCH PACKAGE
•  Rich energy package adapted to cyclists
• * GPS RENTAL
• * BICYCLE AND ACCESSORIES RENTAL
• * BICYCLE REPAIR SERVICE
• * BICYCLE TRANSPORT
• * BICYCLE CLEANING (bicycle washing – Basic, Standard and Premium packages)
• * ORGANIZED BICYCLE DAY TRIPS
• * SAFETY CHECK (bicycle check)
• * BIKE GUIDE
• * ORGANIZED TRAINING CAMP FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS     

Additional payments and deductions:

• *Additional payment for single room per person EUR 12,00
• *Additional payment for full board per person EUR 12,00
• *Discount on third person on an additional bed is 25%

Discounts for children:

• *Children under 4.99 with two adults in a double room - free
• *Children from 5 to 11.99 with two adults in a double room - 50% off

Please contact our Umag reservation system for all further questions:

tel: +385 52 700 700 - E-mail: booking@istraturist.com
www.istraturist.com   
www.coloursofistria.com