CROATIA TRAIL RUNNING - ISTRIA
Trail running holiday in Croatia. Active trail running – fastpacking on the Istrian Peninsula – Croatia’s Little Tuscany. An amazing running experience on the northern Adriatic Coast of Croatia with local gourmet and untouched nature surpluses.
On this trail running adventure you’ll venture off the beaten path to stunning national parks such as Brioni, Kamenjak Nature Park, cooling off in turquoise waters along the way. The trails on Istrian peninsula offer much more than exercise. You’ll discover each path has its own character. Whether you crave coastal routes, mountain trails, or charming city paths, Croatia has it all. Lace up your running shoes and get ready to explore this runner’s paradise.
Karst stones, olive groves, top quality wine and the glittering Adriatic Sea as the backdrop, Croatia makes it easy to find epic and inspiring trails to run. Croatia is a major producer of high-quality wine and olive oil. You’ll enjoy a Mediterranean feast wherever you go, with local products always at the forefront.
Istria – It’s often called Croatia’s Tuscany!
The beautiful coastal part of Istria with numerous beaches and untouched inland with rich history and with local produce are one of the reasons why Istria is ideal to escape from everyday life. Here people love truffly pasta dishes and love wine. Istrian trails with famous Parenzana roads are even better than Istrian beaches. Running along Istria’s many trails is an ideal way to get an up-close and personal view of the magical peninsula of the most western part of Croatia.
This tour is designed by expert runners for runners.
Facts:
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Activity: Trail Running | Fastpacking
Length: 14–18 km/day or 18-25 km/day
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Small Fine Hotels ****
Date: From March 15th to November 15th.
Booking: Any day of the week (self guided tour)
Start of the tour: Buzet, Croatia.
End of the tour: Premantura, Croatia.
Price: 1.195,00 €/person (self guided tour, min. 2 people in group). | 1.795,00 €/person (guided tour, minimum 6 people in group).
Early Bird Price Until December 15th, 2024: 1.095,00€ (self-guided tour); 1.695,00€/person (guided tour)
Note: This running tour is organized in a way that allows the runner to choose a longer or shorter stage – running course every day. The run takes place on carefully selected and most beautiful trails, both for longer and shorter routes. The courses are mainly scenic and aim to bring the runner closer to the experience of Istria and its locals. The runner focuses on running and runs exclusively in daily running gear. All other accompanying activities (luggage transportation, transfers, accommodations, etc.) are taken care of.
1.195,00 €
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Activity
Self guided tour | Guided Tour (on request).
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
April 15th–November 15th
Accommodation
Hotels ***/****
Booking
Start of the tour on any day of the week.
Start of the tour
Buzet, Croatia
End of the tour
Premantura, Croatia
Running along Croatia's Coast and letting your mind run free.
Trail running is synonymous to nature. A different way to experience Istrian peninsula and admire spectacular landscapes. Run along the famous Kamenjak trail, Brijuni National Park ... Try trails around the famous villages of Motovun and Grožnjan or discover trails near the Adriatic Sea.
Inclusions
Items that are included in the cost of the self-guided tour price:
- Full organisation of the tour - holiday.
- Introductory briefing on day 1 - "face to face" with welcome drink.
- Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions, vouchers, contact numbers and other needed information.
- Digital maps with marked routes - course.
- GPX track - digital track for phone, tablet or other navigation device.
- Usage of phone App with navigation.
- Emergency contact number and 24/7 support.
- Daily collaboration and tracking on the communication app - additional customer support.
- 6 nights B&B accommodation in Hotels by itinerary.
- All transfers according to the itinerary.
- All luggage transfers according to the itinerary.
- Optional: 7-day rental of trail running equipment (hiking poles, running backpack).
- Reusable water bottle (Triglav Trail Run).
- Tourist tax and VAT.
Exclusions
Items that are not included in the cost of the tour price:
- Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip - holiday.
- Food and drinks: lunch on all days and dinner.
- Items of personal nature.
- Travel Insurance.
Optional Extras
- Single supplement: 580 €.
- High season (June 1st–September 30th): 180 €/person
- Training plan prior to departure (special arrangement).
Guided Tour - May 2025
- Available guided tour date: May 4th to Mat 10th, 2025. Price: 1.695,00 €/person.
- With experienced and licensed guide - Trail runner - Supervisor.
- Please, contact us for further info or booking.
Private Guided Tour
- Do you wish to go trail running in a private guided group?
- We can organise a private guided tour for 4 or more runners with our experienced and licensed guides. Please, contact us for further information or booking.
Itinerary
Welcome to Buzet, Istria!
- Arrival to Buzet.
- Introductory meeting / Hotel, Buzet.
- Overnight, Hotel Vela Vrata ****
Trail Running from Buzet to Motovun.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Short transfer to starting point, Selce.
- Running from Selca to Motovun.
- Run – option 1: 16 km | +650 m
- Run – option 2: 24 km | +1.100 m
- Overnight, Hotel Kaštel, Motovun ****
Trail Running from Motovun to Bale Vale.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Short transfer to starting point, Tinjan.
- Running from Tinjan to Bale.
- Run – option 1: 17.5 km | +380 m
- Run – option 2: 22.5 km | +680 m
- Overnight, Hotel La Grisa, Bale ****
Trail Running from Bale Vale to Rovinj.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Running from Bale Vale to Rovinj via Barbariga and Zlatni rat.
- Run – option 1: 16 km | +150 m
- Run – option 2: 23.5 km | +350 m
- Overnight, Hotel Delfin, Rovinj ****
Trail Running from Fažana to Pula.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Short transfer to starting point, Fažana.
- Boat transfer to Brujini islands – park.
- Running around Brijuni National park.
- Return boat transfer and running to Pula.
- Run – option 1: 15 km | +190 m
- Run – option 2: 22 km | +280 m
- Overnight, Hotel Histria, Pula ****
Trail Running from Pula to Premantura.
- Breakfast in hotel.
- Running from from Pula to Premantura via Kamenjak Nature park.
- Run – option 1: 14 km | +210 m
- Run – option 2: 21 km | +340 m
- Overnight, Hotel Premantura/Medulin, Bale ****
The trail running holiday ends at the southwestern cape of magical Istria.
- Breakfast in Hotel.
- Optional: Transfer to Airport …
Trail Running Expert
Špela is an enthusiastic trail runner, a nature lover, and a fan of cycling and ski touring. By profession, she is a Kinesiologist – Master of Science, primarily interested in exercise physiology and endurance sports. She applies her expertise to trail running, assisting runners with preparation and providing advice on nutrition, recovery, injuries…
Špela is also a trainee for the UIMLA mountain leader. At LIFE Hike, she prepares and manages trail running programs and holidays. She is also involved in creating the Triglav Trail Run race, which is considered one of the most beautiful trail running experiences in the region. Špela will provide you with advice on running, information about the destination, and help you prepare for your trail running holidays. She will be there for tips on difficulty, the specifics of the trail, equipment advice, and any other information to make your trail running vacation a wonderful experience.
Croatia Trail Running - Istria
Running along Croatia's Coast and letting your mind run free.
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