Your goal... Day 6 & 7 - Evening sunshine in Moscenicka Draga 
Route summary
£575.00 (2013)
7 nights
7 B&B, 4 evening meals, 5 picnics
Luggage transfers between hotels
Medium
3½ - 5½ hours per day
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Istria (Croatia)
Hilltop towns of north-west Croatia
Full Description

A self-guided hike through little-known Istria (northern Croatia) starting in Motovun and working its way from hilltop town to hilltop town (Sovinjak, Hum, and Roc), before cresting Mount Ucka and reaching the Adriatic at the fishing port of Moscenicka Draga.

 

A journey to the Adriatic Sea
Istria lies in the very north of Croatia. A land of hills, meadows, vineyards and woods, of churches with medieval frescoes, and of the ancient Glagolitic script. You start in fashionable Motovun (of film festival fame), and wander through unspoilt hill country, staying at tiny pensions in three further hilltop villages, before turning south to a gentle assault of Mount Ucka.  Over the far side of the mountain, walk down to the sea to spend two nights at pretty Moscenicka Draga, where the fish is fresh, the beaches uncrowded and the water sparkling and warm. If flying via Pula, consider spending a night or more in a boutique hotel in Fazana, a small fishing town just 12 km away from the airport. Walked by On Foot staff: Simon & Mary

 

Notes:  Single and twin rooms limited. Standard option (as per "Itinerary"): 7 nights, though an extra day at the seaside might appeal. Shorter options: 6-night miss night 1 (Motovun); 5-night miss nights 1 & 7.

Highlights
  • Staying in fortified Motovun
  • Hum, the smallest town in the world
  • Four unspoilt hilltop villages of Istria
  • Frescoes and the Avenue of the Glagolitics
  • Over Mount Ucka to the Adriatic
  • Two nights by the sea in a pretty fishing village

WE RECOMMEND: An extra day at the start to limber up with some gentle cycling - visit Groznan in the countryside around the lovely town of Motovun (bicycles for hire locally), or combining with a stay in Trieste (our taximan Claudio can transfer you) or Venice. Further days at the end at Moscenicka Draga to relax and swim in the Adriatic.

 

EATING AND DRINKING: A fascinating mixture of influences will make your taste buds work overtime.  Italian food - pasta, olive oil and particularly mushrooms and truffles in the autumn - dominate the first few days, but by the time you reach Mt. Ucka on Night 5 a decidedly Balkan cuisine takes over. Almin at the Trattoria Poklon recommends "dark game goulash served with homemade gnocchi or fuži - Istrian pasta", washed down with his house wine - a Terano-Pinot Noir blend. Vegetarians will delight in his forest mushrooms risotto, and both will enjoy his home-made strudel. 

 

When you reach Moscenicka Draga for your final two nights, sea-food and fish take over, with all the Mediterranean varieties on offer depending on the daily catch by the boats that ply from the little harbour.  Get up early to watch the boats come in!
Route map
Route designed by

Vladimir Benas

Vladimir (Vlado) has worked in the tourist industry for the last 40 years both with groups and independent clients as well as special interest tours and activities. He and his family now run a travel agency in Moscenicka Draga.