ALPE ADRIA TRAIL:
from the Karst paths to the sea

Arrival in Gradisca d’Isonzo

Your adventure begins in Gradisca d’Isonzo, where you will spend the first night. Regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Italy, this little town is a fifteenth-century fortress built on the banks of the Isonzo river by the Venetians, with the help of Leonardo da Vinci. Take a walk through the heart of the citadel, admiring the historic palaces steeped in Venetian and Hapsburg glamour, and you’ll find yourself travelling back in time, immersed in the culture of this ancient town. Night in Gradisca d’Isonzo.

Gradisca d’Isonzo – Jamiano

The first stage of the trail explores an area that’s rich in contrasts between the historical and the modern. The two stars of the show: the Isonzo, the most beautiful river in Europe, and the traces of the First World War that mark the Isontine Karst. From Gradisca d’Isonzo, you will follow a forest trail almost all the way to Mt San Michele, a famous battlefield which was referenced in the poetry of Giuseppe Ungaretti. Here, you will find an interesting virtual museum about the Great War, as well as numerous trails to discover First World War era tunnels and trenches. After your visit to Mt San Michele, you’ll delve once again into the karstic greenery and head down towards Lake Doberdò, one of the few karst lakes in Europe. The lake’s water level changes constantly, depending on the flow of the Vipacco and Isonzo rivers. Night in Jamiano or surrounding area.

Jamiano – Sistiana

As you begin today’s walking stage, you will continue to explore the Isontine Karst. Following narrow paths between pinewood and thickets, you’ll be in Trieste province before you even realise it. Very soon, you’ll arrive at the springs of River Timavo, an area that was venerated in the ancient writings of Pliny the Elder, Strabo and Virgil. In this truly magical place, the River Timavo reemerges at the surface after flowing underground for 40 kilometres, and cascades into the Adriatic Sea. Continuing your walk, you will pass through the spectacular holm oak wood of the Forest of Cernizza, the historic hunting grounds of the Princes of Duino. In Duino, you can see one of the Gulf of Trieste’s most iconic views: the clifftop castle overlooking the sea is. During the last part of today’s stage, you’ll walk along a beautiful trail dedicated to the poet Rilke, who wrote the Duino Elegies here while staying at the castle. The path winds along the top of the cliffs that overlook the sea, offering you splendid views of the Gulf of Trieste. Night in Sistiana.

Sistiana – Prosecco / Opicina

Today, the trail turns back towards the Karst plateau, passing through forests, small villages and historic pastures, still delineated by traditional dry-stone walls. At certain times of the year, you’re very likely to come across the area’s famous “osmizze”: traditional little shops which open seasonally and sell local wine and artisanal products. Today’s endpoint is the Karstic village of Prosecco, an area that has long been famous for its terraced vineyards and production of high-quality wine. Accommodation in the Prosecco area.

Note: Your accommodation is located in the town of Opicina, which is about 4.5km from Prosecco. To avoid adding extra distance to the walking stage, you can take public transport from Prosecco.

Prosecco / Opicina – Basovizza / Lipica

Heading out of Prosecco you will soon reach Contovello, a pleasant village whose houses are piled one on top of the other and enjoy spectacular views of the sea. The route then continues along the edge of the Karst, treating you to fabulous panoramic views of Miramare Castle, the city of Trieste and the gulf. Once you reach the Obelisk of Opicina, you’ll begin the climb up to the village of Conconello and then continue on to the hamlet of Basovizza. From here, your route takes you along easy, flat paths through beautiful forests to the crossing into Slovenia, and then on to Lipica. Lipica Equestrian Park, founded in 1580 by Charles II, Archduke of Austria, is a real oasis of tranquility, completely surrounded by nature. Tree-lined walkways and oak woods lead to historic stables, while herds of white thoroughbred horses, widely regarded as the most elegant horses in the world, gallop across the estate’s green meadows. Accommodation in Lipica (or Basovizza).

Note: You have the option of shortening the walking stage by 5 km by spending the night in Basovizza.

Basovizza / Lipica – Bagnoli della Rosandra

Today, the trail will take you over Mt Kokoš and through the spectacular Rosandra Valley to the village of Bagnoli della Rosandra, located in the outskirts of Trieste. By the end of the day, you’ll already be able to catch the scent of the sea on the wind. At the top of Mt Kokoš, you’ll find an Alpine cabin from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the whole Karst. As you descend into the valley, you’ll pass back into Italian territory, following the cycle track that winds its way along the old disused Austro-Hungarian railway line between Trieste and Hrpelie. You’ll pass through several tunnels carved into the mountainside, and a number of well-preserved original stations, before descending to the isolated village of Botazzo in the Rosandra Valley. An easy path takes you down to the valley, skirting vertical cliff-faces, forests and scree slopes. You can enjoy spectacular views over the flowing Rosandra river, its 35 metre waterfall and its 21 natural pools. At the end of the valley, you’ll reach the village of Bagnoli della Rosandra, the endpoint of today’s walking stage. Accommodation in Bagnoli della Rosandra.

Note: If you spent the previous night in Basovizza, the walking stage will be 5 km longer.

Bagnoli della Rosandra – Muggia

You’re almost there! Soon, you’ll reach your long-awaited goal. You’ll set off already breathing the scent of the Mediterranean and dreaming about your arrival at the Adriatic Sea. The trail leads from Val Rosandra to the Socerb castle ruins, which treat us to beautiful views, and then on to the Slovenian Osp valley and on a gentle descent through the small village of Tinjan towards the coast. The Alpe Adria Trail finishes in the historic centre of Muggia, a charming Istrian-Veneto seaside town. After a stroll through the town’s streets and plazas, it’s time to reward yourself with a great seafood meal and a well-deserved dip in the sea. Accommodation in Muggia.

Goodbye Alpe Adria Trail

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and our tour package will come to an end. You’ll know that you’re only saying “goodbye for now” to the Alpe Adria Trail, because in your heart you will have already decided to return, and walk the rest of this unique and unforgettable journey.