ROUTE
Istra Land isn’t just a line on a map. It’s the full tour of Istria in all its moods. It’s a loop that throws everything at you: highland climbs, rough karst tracks, fast river valleys, coastal singletracks, and long, rolling stretches where you can finally open the legs.
Istra Land is built for riders who want to go far, go fast, and feel every shift in the landscape. This is the kind of route where pacing matters, strategy matters, and so does keeping your head clear when the terrain flips from smooth to brutal in a heartbeat. One minute you’re grinding through quiet mountains, the next you’re chasing the horizon along the Adriatic, dodging cliffs, villages, and sunset views.
It’s a race course with personality: unpredictable, demanding, and fast when you least expect it. And when you close the loop at the finish, you’ll know you’ve ridden the true shape of Istria.
Istra Land starts in Basovizza, Italy, and within minutes you’re rolling across three countries: Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. It’s the perfect opening scene for what this ride is about: borders fading, cultures meeting, and the whole peninsula opening up in front of you.
The first push takes you into the Ćićarija Highlands, where gravel turns rough and the world suddenly gets quiet. It’s all ridgelines, open grasslands, and rocky double tracks: the wilder side of Istria, where effort comes with big views and long, empty horizons.
From there, the route climbs into Učka Nature Park, up toward the ridge of Mt. Vojak. At 1,401 m, it’s the high point of the peninsula and one of the best viewpoints you’ll ever earn on a gravel bike. On clear days, you’ll see everything: the Alps, the Dalmatian islands, the Adriatic Sea, and the whole ride still ahead of you. The descent drops you into wide pastures where wild horses and goats wander freely. A small reminder that Istria still has plenty of untamed corners.
The track then sweeps into the Raša Valley, where smooth and fast gravel follows the river toward the Adriatic. It’s a total change of rhythm, a welcome break after the rugged karst of the north. Reaching the eastern coast, fishing towns and small villages become familiar refuelling stops.
Heading south, the terrain softens into rolling hills before delivering you straight to Ližnjan and Cape Kamenjak. This is where Istria shows off. The route rides right above the turquoise sea, hopping between gravel paths and rocky singletracks with white cliffs on one side and endless blue on the other.
Turning west, the whole vibe shifts again. The red soils, olive groves, and truffle forests of the Istrian hinterland lead you toward Pula, a city where ancient Roman stones and working shipyards sit side by side. It’s a reminder that Istria has history in every direction.
The final stretch follows the western coast: lively towns, sunset views, quiet backroads, and coastal gravel that feel like a long exhale after the wild east. From Vrsar to Poreč, the ride becomes social, warm, and full of summer energy until the loop closes again across the border in Slovenia.
Istra Land is a ride of contrasts: wild to urban, rocky to smooth, mountain to sea, quiet to buzzing. It’s not designed to be the fastest 400 km gravel race you’ll ever ride. Just the most complete and rewarding way to shred across the peninsula on two wheels.
The Istra Half route preview will be available in Spring.
ROUTE
Istra Land isn’t just a line on a map. It’s the full tour of Istria in all its moods. It’s a loop that throws everything at you: highland climbs, rough karst tracks, fast river valleys, coastal singletracks, and long, rolling stretches where you can finally open the legs.
Istra Land is built for riders who want to go far, go fast, and feel every shift in the landscape. This is the kind of route where pacing matters, strategy matters, and so does keeping your head clear when the terrain flips from smooth to brutal in a heartbeat. One minute you’re grinding through quiet mountains, the next you’re chasing the horizon along the Adriatic, dodging cliffs, villages, and sunset views.
It’s a race course with personality: unpredictable, demanding, and fast when you least expect it. And when you close the loop at the finish, you’ll know you’ve ridden the true shape of Istria.
Istra Land starts in Basovizza, Italy, and within minutes you’re rolling across three countries: Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. It’s the perfect opening scene for what this ride is about: borders fading, cultures meeting, and the whole peninsula opening up in front of you.
The first push takes you into the Ćićarija Highlands, where gravel turns rough and the world suddenly gets quiet. It’s all ridgelines, open grasslands, and rocky double tracks: the wilder side of Istria, where effort comes with big views and long, empty horizons.
From there, the route climbs into Učka Nature Park, up toward the ridge of Mt. Vojak. At 1,401 m, it’s the high point of the peninsula and one of the best viewpoints you’ll ever earn on a gravel bike. On clear days, you’ll see everything: the Alps, the Dalmatian islands, the Adriatic Sea, and the whole ride still ahead of you. The descent drops you into wide pastures where wild horses and goats wander freely. A small reminder that Istria still has plenty of untamed corners.
The track then sweeps into the Raša Valley, where smooth and fast gravel follows the river toward the Adriatic. It’s a total change of rhythm, a welcome break after the rugged karst of the north. Reaching the eastern coast, fishing towns and small villages become familiar refuelling stops.
Heading south, the terrain softens into rolling hills before delivering you straight to Ližnjan and Cape Kamenjak. This is where Istria shows off. The route rides right above the turquoise sea, hopping between gravel paths and rocky singletracks with white cliffs on one side and endless blue on the other.
Turning west, the whole vibe shifts again. The red soils, olive groves, and truffle forests of the Istrian hinterland lead you toward Pula, a city where ancient Roman stones and working shipyards sit side by side. It’s a reminder that Istria has history in every direction.
The final stretch follows the western coast: lively towns, sunset views, quiet backroads, and coastal gravel that feel like a long exhale after the wild east. From Vrsar to Poreč, the ride becomes social, warm, and full of summer energy until the loop closes again across the border in Slovenia.
Istra Land is a ride of contrasts: wild to urban, rocky to smooth, mountain to sea, quiet to buzzing. It’s not designed to be the fastest 400 km gravel race you’ll ever ride. Just the most complete and rewarding way to shred across the peninsula on two wheels.
The Istra Half route preview will be available in Spring.
