Istrian Peninsula

The Intermediate route starts with a transfer to Tinjan. From here you ride through traditional Istrian countryside: past olive groves, small farms, and truffle stores. Initially, the route rolls through the hills before descending steeply to the Jezero Butoniga reservoir and onto the Mirna River Valley. After a flat 11 miles in the valley there is a 3-mile climb up to the town of Buje.

The Leisure route starts with a transfer to the village of Trviž, five miles before the descent down to the Jezero Butoniga reservoir.

The Challenge ride begins in Tinjan with the Intermediate route but, after the reservoir, it detours steeply uphill to the village of Oprtalj and into Buje.

The highlight of today's routes is the coastal town of Novigrad: a quaint old fishing town with some excellent seafood restaurants.

The Intermediate route starts with an eight-mile, rolling descent to the coast, arriving in Lovreč ica. From here, you follow the coastline south around Uvala Slanik Bay, passing an early medieval monastery, before arriving in Novigrad. After lunch, there is an eight-mile climb to Vižinade and a fast descent to the Mirna Valley. A final climb brings you back to Buje.

Leisure riders follow the same route to Novigrad but take a more direct route back.

The Challenge route follows the Intermediate to Vižinade where it turns south for a rolling loop via the hillfort town of Motovun.

All of today's routes leave Buje on a gentle four-mile climb to Grožnjan, a sleepy hilltop Town of Artists, with a well-preserved medieval center, boutique shops, cafes, and art galleries.

From Grožnjan, the Intermediate route follows the ridgeline to the north of the Mirna valley, passing through many pretty towns including Motovun. The route ends with a gradual 12-mile descent into the coastal town of Poreč.

After Grožnjan, the Leisure route turns south, bypassing Motovun.

The Challenge route continues east along the ridge through woodland, with occasional views of Kaštel Petrapilosa.

The Epic route takes a wider eastern loop through Buzet: City of Truffles.

Today you head to the interior of the peninsula.

The Intermediate ride is a relaxing ride through traditional villages, passing vineyards, olive groves, and bucolic farmland. After about ten miles, you arrive at Sveti Lovreč, a well-preserved medieval town that was an important military base for Venice during the 14th century. The route continues along small country lanes with a gentle six-mile descent back into Poreč.

Leisure riders do a shortened version of the Intermediate route, visiting small villages and passing wineries and olive groves.

The Challenge route follows the Intermediate to Sveti Lovreč, then continues inland to Tinjan.

The Epic route follows the Challenge to Tinjan then continues east to Pazin, the capital of the Istrian Peninsula.

The Intermediate route leaves Poreč along a pretty bike path that hugs the Adriatic coast. After a few miles, you head inland past olive groves and vineyards. The route climbs gently for 13 miles, passing through the Venetian town of Sveti Lovreč. From here riders descend to the Dvigrad ruins before climbing up to Kanfanar and descending nine miles to Rovinj.

The Leisure route starts with a van transfer from Poreč to Sveti Lovreč where it joins the Intermediate ride.

The Challenge route follows the Intermediate to Kanfanar where it continues with an eastern loop to Žminj.

Today's Intermediate route is a gentle up-and-then-down loop ride. The ride climbs out of Rovinj to the town of Bale. This quiet and picturesque medieval town is something of a hidden gem. After Bale, you continue climbing up to Svetvinčenat, another beautiful village with a well-preserved 13th-century castle. After lunch, the route rolls across countryside back to Kanfanar and descends all the way back into Rovinj.

The Leisure route follows the Intermediate route to Bale where it turns north.

The Challenge route follows the Intermediate to Svetvinčenat, then detours east along quiet country lanes through natural woodlands and olive groves.