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Rovinj, Croatia has a compact, densely built and completely charming Old Town…but it doesn’t have much green space. That said, nature isn’t far from the town center. In fact, there are several intertwining hiking and biking trails in Rovinj.
Active travelers can lace up their hiking shoes or rent a bike in Rovinj to explore the region’s gorgeous coastline and vine-covered countryside.
Hiking and Biking Trails in Rovinj, Croatia
During our visit, one of our favorite things to do in Rovinj was discover the landscapes beyond the Old Town. To the south, the Golden Cape Forest Park offers a natural reprieve from the relatively busy center. To the north, the rural countryside features vineyards, olive groves an ancient churches.
Both areas are well-connected with winding trails and pleasant paths. We set off on foot and on Rovinj bike rentals to explore more than just the Old Town.
Golden Cape Forest Park, Rovinj, Croatia
The Golden Cape Forest Park (Zlatni Rt) is located south of Old Town Rovinj. The forested area features both indigenous and foreign trees, a coastline of secluded coves and hiking and biking trails. The park is considered to be one of the most significant along the stunning Croatia coastline – and is a must-visit while in Rovinj!
How To Get to Golden Cape
To get to Golden Cape, we followed the coastline south of Rovinj around the harbor, past the marina and Grand Park Hotel Maistra and found our way onto Trail 203.
The route, also called Vistrum, is suitable for bikers, walkers and joggers and follows the shore around the park boundary. The entire looping trail is more than 16 miles, so on foot we only navigated the western portion around Golden Cape Park.
What To See in Golden Cape Park
After we entered the park, we discovered that there are many hiking and biking trails through the forested area. We mostly stayed on Trail 203 around the coastline, but veered away once to climb a large hill in search of panoramic views. There is an old quarry at the top and its sheer cliff is popular with rock climbers.
Fun Fact: Much of the rock from the quarry was used to build the city of Venice!
On the descent, the path reconnected with the stunningly beautiful shoreline. We were captivated by the scenery around each corner; the teal water, off-shore islands and picturesque sailboats creating perfect photo ops.
I couldn’t help but take ‘just one more’ photo and I was glad we were on foot, rather than renting bicycles to explore the area. We made it as far as the Golden Cove (Zlatna Uvala) on the coast and then decided to turn inland.
Our route took past the Punta Corrente challenge course and then along a path that parallels the street. Before reaching Hotel Eden, we followed the trail to the west and returned to the shoreline path that leads back into Rovinj.
Top Tip: Wear a swim suit and go for a swim at Golden Cape Park! The water is incredibly inviting and we regretted not being prepared with swimming attire. In the summertime, there are cafes, too.
Biking Rovinj, Croatia in the Countryside
North of the Rovinj Old Town, the residential area quickly gives way to the spacious countryside. Wanting to explore much further, we rented bikes and set off on a two-wheeled adventure!
Rovinj Biking Trail 201
Using a Rovinj cycling map, we determined that we could easily complete the 6.5 mile loop on Trail 201. The full route is over 24 miles long, but consists of two loops. We rode the small loop directly north of the Old Town.
We struggled with signage in the beginning. Unsure of where exactly we were on the map and unable to find any trail markers on the street, we eventually found our way to the official trailhead. From there, we rode through gentle hills on both gravel track and pavement.
Our ride took us through lovely vineyards and olive groves, past countryside konobas (restaurants) and family farms. Trail 201 Info and Map.
Basilica Track, Rovinj
The Rovinj 201 Biking Path is part of the larger Basilica Track. On our route, we pedaled past two old churches: the ruins of St. Bartholomew’s Chapel and St. Christopher’s Church. Pilgrimages used to take place to all of the field churches to pray for crops. Basilica Track Info and Map.
Rovinj Viewpoint
On our approach back into town, we briefly connected on Trail 202 to complete our shorter loop. We could see all of Rovinj and the St. Euphemia Bell Tower, prettily perched out on the peninsula.
We believe this is the most beautiful viewpoint of Roving from afar on land. The density of the old town sits in contrast with the open ocean and is an excellent spot to catch one of the legendary Rovinj Sunsets!
Top Tips for Hiking and Biking in Rovinj, Croatia
Ready to set off? Us too! However, we have a few tips that will make biking and hiking in Rovinj more fun!
Rovinj Bike Map
Visitors can pick up an Istria Bike Map from the Tourist Information Office that outlines the hiking and biking trails in Rovinj. It is free – and we highly recommend carry it with you!
Renting a Bike in Rovinj, Croatia
Bike rentals are offered from various Rovinj tourist agencies for about 5 euro an hour. We used RM Group at the west end of the Rovinj Old Town parking lot. We recommend riding a mountain bike, but some agencies have ebikes that are available for rent, too.
Rovinj Trails Tips
The trails in Rovinj are interconnected, making it easy to spend as little or as much time as you would like on the route. Our hike to the south and bike to the north each took about 3 hours, including several stops for pictures and lunch.
Bike trails, like Trail 201 to the north of Rovinj, are poorly marked when departing from Rovinj’s Old Town. Trail 201 is also one of the bike routes that is shared with cars. The narrow roads aren’t heavily trafficked, but be aware and keep an eye out for larger vehicles.
The 213 Rovinj Triangle is a popular road bike route, but we did not pedal along this trail. We did however, create a Roving Wine Tasting route that includes three stops! The short jaunt can easily be done on foot or by bike.
Rovinj, Croatia Trip Planning
Hiking and biking adventures are just a couple of the Fun Things To Do in Rovinj. Travelers can also head off on day trips to see the Best of Istria – including the cities of Pula and Porec along with romantic hilltop towns!
For all the top tips to visiting the country, use our Guide to Planning Croatian Vacations. It includes all the need-to-know details and our honest advice about traveling to Croatia.
Visiting other Top Croatia Destinations? Super! Find our complete guides to famous Hvar, charming Korcula, imposing Dubrovnik along with the best Croatian cities of Split and Zagreb!
Pro Tip: Stay on top of your vacation details with our printable Travel Planner! With 26 ready-to-download pages, you won’t miss a beat as you plan your perfect Croatia trip!
Start planning your trip to Croatia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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