From Trieste (Italy) through Slovenia to Porec/Parenzo (Croatia)
The expansion of the former narrow-gauge railway "Parenzana" between Trieste and Porec (Parenzo) was already underway at the beginning of this century. The entire route runs through three countries: Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. With EU funding (Interreg IIIA), a cross-border cycle path was to be created. The sections in Slovenia and Croatia are now accessible, although so far only the section in Slovenia meets our expectations of a cycle path. The route in Croatia, which is well signposted from the border near Secovlje to the mountain village of Vizinada, has the quality of a dirt road and is more suitable for mountain bikes/bikes. Some very gravelly sections significantly detract from the enjoyment, but the scenic beauty is motivation enough to explore the secluded mountain routes even on poorly maintained roads. Some sections are rich in structures such as tunnels and viaducts, and mountain towns such as Groznjan and Motovun are worth a visit. In 2012, the Vizinada - Porec section was also open and signposted, but due to the rough surface, it's only accessible by mountain bike; regular cyclists won't have much fun here. The total rideable distance is 116 kilometers, the vast majority of which runs directly along the old railway line.