The Parenzana is a dead railway resurrected as a 130-kilometre gravel trail wriggling from Trieste through Slovenia into Croatian Istria, via viaducts, tunnels and hilltop towns like Grožnjan and Motovun that appear to have been art-directed. Gradients stay railway-gentle, but the surface wants a hybrid or gravel bike with wide tyres — book one in Buje or Poreč. Ride in May or September, and time Motovun for a truffle-season lunch. Three unhurried days is exactly right.
Featured in Ten cycling holidays for completely normal legs · Adventure