# Parenzana by Bike from Vižinada to Livade via Motovun

What to do en Istria · Istria

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/things-to-do/parenzana-vizinada-livade · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Duración: 3 h 30
- Temporada: April – October
- Para quién: From age 12, on a mountain bike

A stretch of the old Trieste–Poreč railway line from Vižinada to Livade, with the Motovun tunnel. About 20 km of gravel, almost all downhill.

What it is
The Parenzana was a narrow-gauge, 760 mm railway that between 1902 and 1935 linked Trieste with Poreč (Parenzo in Italian, hence the name) over 123 km through Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. Today its route is a cycling and walking route maintained and signposted by the Istria Region. The stretch from Vižinada to Livade via Motovun is among the loveliest on the Croatian side: viaducts, tunnels, oak woods and the village of Motovun on top of its hill, always in view.
The route, step by step

Vižinada. The village is on a plateau of fields and vineyards. The old station is now a well-kept private house; beside it, next to the road, there is a full-size replica of the U20 locomotive that you can climb into from behind to the driver's position.
Towards Motovun. From Vižinada the line gradually loses height towards the Mirna valley. On this stretch is the Sabadin viaduct, which the Istria Region has refurbished.
The Motovun tunnel. Before reaching the station, the train passed under the Kanal hamlet through a 222 m tunnel, the longest on the Parenzana in Croatia. Bring a front light to cross it.
Motovun station. The only one on the whole line built with irregular limestone blocks. It had a passing loop and a siding, and next to it are two well-known inns. From here you can climb to the village, on top of the hill.
Descent to Livade. The route drops to the bottom of the Mirna valley to Livade, only 13 m above sea level, where the line crossed the river.

In the Vižinada – Livade direction the route is almost all downhill: the train climbed from Livade to Baldaši, at 273 m, via Motovun and Vižinada. Allow half a day for about 20 km with stops.
Surface and bike
The Parenzana's own website warns that, because of the uneven surface of some stretches, the route is suitable for a mountain bike, but not for a road or trekking bike, and is done at your own risk. It is gravel and earth track. With an electric mountain bike it is comfortable for anyone used to cycling.
If you do not have a bike, in Poreč the Bike Center Poreč hires out bikes and e-bikes and arranges transfers to the routes.
How to organise the return
The route is linear and ends at Livade, at the bottom of the valley, with no practical public transport. You have three options: have someone pick you up at Livade, book a transfer with the hire company or ride back, this time uphill. The Parenzana website also announces, in season, a free Bike&Bus service between Trieste and Poreč at weekends and holidays: check its calendar.
When to go
From April to October. In spring and autumn the temperature is mild and the forest changes colour; in high summer set out early. After heavy rain there is mud on the earth stretches.
Water and stops
At Motovun station there are inns, and climbing to the village, Konoba Mondo. Bring water from home for the whole stretch. To sleep at the foot of the route, the Hotel Kaštel Motovun or San Rocco, which organises bike outings.
With children
From about age 12 and used to mountain biking. They like the tunnel and the Vižinada locomotive; watch the descent, which picks up speed on a gravel track.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 45.3317, 13.7617

## Cerca de aquí

- [Motovun and Grožnjan, Hill Villages](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/things-to-do/motovun-y-groznjan), a 5.2 km
- [Hotel Kaštel Motovun](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/where-to-stay/hotel-kastel-motovun), a 5.3 km
- [Konoba Mondo](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/where-to-eat/konoba-mondo), a 5.3 km
- [San Rocco](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/where-to-stay/san-rocco), a 11.7 km
- [Truffle Hunting with Dogs in the Buzet Woods](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/things-to-do/truffle-hunt), a 13.8 km
- [Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/things-to-do/euphrasian-basilica), a 17.4 km
- [Lim Channel, Viewpoint and Boat from Rovinj or Vrsar](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria/things-to-do/lim-channel), a 23.3 km

## Consejos

### Bring a light
The Motovun tunnel is 222 m long: you need a front light.

### Do it from Vižinada to Livade
In that direction the line is almost all downhill.

### Arrange the pick-up
At Livade there is no practical transport; agree a transfer before setting out.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### What bike do I need for the Parenzana?
A mountain bike. The official website advises against a road or trekking bike because of the uneven surface.

### How long does it take from Vižinada to Livade?
Half a day for about 20 km, with stops at Motovun.

### Can you do it on foot?
Yes, although the 20 km feel long. On foot, better a short stretch around Motovun.

Destino: [Istria](https://www.geocalia.com/en/croacia/istria.md)