I am planning to fly to Pula in June and would like to see Istria on my way to Trieste and then riding through Slovenia. I have read a few stories here that mention it gets very busy with traffic along the coast of Croatia, but usually the most critical streets are mentioned further south. Can someone recommend either Eurovelo Route 8 (along the coast) or Route 9 (more inland) in Istria? Or even a different route? I really want to see the sea at some point but not necessarily all the way. Thank you for your insights!
by Senstu
3 Comments
I did some 10+ years ago similar route to EV8 through Slovenia and then similar route to EV9 through Istria. The most traffic at that time was on the border with Slovenia but now i guess that is not the case as there are no borders anymore.Â
Over summer most of our cost is full of traffic so you cannot escape that too much, at least on the main routes.
EV8 for me would be nicer choice as you are driving next to the sea constantly but EV9 could be also pretty nice as its Istria and for sure with much less traffic. Depends on what you prefer more.
Also i see now that the EV9 goes on smaller roads by the sea so it would be less traffic than the routes i went.
Maybe try to include the Parenzana. You ride through the hills through tunnels and viaducts but with general manageable height profile since most of it used to be old rail roads. But I suggest sturdy tires for some sections.
Sorry, the site is in Italian but you can translate it with Google translate. Look at this website: [Ciclotouring Parenzana and Strika Ferata](https://www.riccisportivi.it/ciclismo/cicloviaggio-in-istria)
I did it last summer. Parenzana and Strika Ferata are gorgeous cyclepath completely out of car traffic that follow old rail roads. Then you can link them to Eurovelo.