Istrian Peninsula Croatia – 8 Days

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels if you are able to. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

WALKING

The walk is moderate with only some small ascents. Full-day walks average about 14 km with 5 to 6 hours of walking each day. There is plenty of opportunities to add more or even reduce the walking if you wish. The walking is over well maintained sometimes ancient paths via the most scenic route possible.

This is a beautiful area with many fabulous historic attractions in addition to fabulous wineries.

For what to bring please refer to our Gear Advice section on our FAQ section.

AVAILABILITY

All year

ACCESS

Travelling to the Start of the walk

Getting to Buje
NOTE: accommodation on the first 2 nights in Buje area are not in the centre of Buje. Accommodations are 3.5 km from the centre of Buje (village Volpija) and 5.3 km from the centre of Buje (village Kaldanija).

By Air- Pula is the regional airport and flights from the UK are available via Zagreb. Trieste Airport is the closest airport serviced by direct flights from the UK with Ryan Air and Alitalia offering services.

Home

https://triesteairport.it/en/

From Pula Airport to Buje – There is a shuttle bus from the airport to Pula bus station. Buses are available from Pula to Buje with local bus companies such as Brioni and FILS, but we recommend an earlier check of the bus lines to Buje before arriving to make sure the times align
https://www.brioni.hr/en-gb/
https://www.arriva.com.hr/en-us/home
http://www.fils.hr/en

From the bus station in Buje you can take a local taxi driver to the first hotel.

Alternatively, we can arrange airport transfers (supplement applicable) and take you directly to your accommodation in Buje.
From Trieste to Buje – We recommend you pre-book airport transfers as public transport is very limited.

Travelling at the end of the walk

Getting back to the airport
From Lovran to Pula (End of Trip) – There are local buses from Lovran to Rijeka and then a different bus to Pula.

Or we can arrange airport transfers from Lovran to Trieste – We recommend you pre-book airport transfers as public transport is very limited.
https://www.brioni.hr/en-gb/
https://www.arriva.com.hr/en-us/home
http://www.fils.hr/en

WEATHER

From March the temperature begins to rise so be prepared for warmer days if you walk in summer. Shoulder season, spring and autumn are by far the best time as the weather is perfect for walking and the added advantage of having fewer people around in the villages and on the coast (we walk away from the populated areas on the walk so crowds are not an issue.)

See the weather average temperatures at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.