Parenzana rail trail

The Parenzana railway track in Croatia takes off into the hills of Istria. This railway track was a pioneering effort as all these tunnels and bridges and overpasses were built in 1902. An impressive achievement, before it was taken down in the 1930s. Strange that it rather went through the hills rather than connect the large populations along the coast.

The hill towns in Istria are a bit weird as they sit on the very top of the hills, like a mushroom crown, above the forest and green scrub in the valleys. This got more prominent inland as also the tunnels and bridges got longer.

The cycling gravel track is cool, and is a good mix between forest rides, panoramic views and historic themed trail. The path splayed out on top of the hillside like a piece of wet spaghetti, swirling about in little loops and going apparently nowhere. Arriving at an old abandoned railway station in the middle of nowhere after an hour of cycling really drives home the absurdity and the courage of the Parenzana railway.

Istria is world famous for its truffles. So I sat down to eat some at Livade. The taste is fine, but I don't really understand why truffles costs more than a cake of hashish dipped in a coating of cocaine and printer ink. So after this luxury meal, I go wash up in the river like a hobo and feel good.

I found a good lookout point to camp at as the sunset painted the clouds pink and orange over the town of Motovun perched atop the hill.Read more