Grožnjan for the start. Motovun for the stay.
Grožnjan and Motovun create one of the strongest two-place narratives on the Parenzana. Grožnjan sits near the heritage-rich tunnel and viaduct sequence; Motovun dominates the Mirna valley and rewards riders who turn a trail day into a slower inland-Istria stay.
Grožnjan
Use Grožnjan as more than a photo stop. The old station at Stanica sits below the town, so allow time to leave the railway alignment and climb into the historic centre. The nearby route immediately delivers railway character through the Kalcini tunnel and views across the valley.
Livade and the valley
Livade is the natural transition between engineering heritage and the Motovun landscape. It also connects the trail with truffle country and gives the day a culinary dimension that a simple point-to-point ride misses.
Motovun
The old railway passes below Motovun, then through the 222 m Motovun tunnel on the route toward Vižinada. Visiting the hill town itself requires extra climbing, walking or a planned transfer. That effort is precisely why an overnight stay can be more satisfying than trying to “tick off” Motovun mid-ride.