Parenzana Grožnjan - Livade

In Livade - in the heart of the Mirna valley - the Parenzana railway from Porec to Trieste was built about a hundred years ago. At the time, the train had a speed of about 25 km per hour and it took 6 to 7 hours to cover the entire 123 km route.

Today it is a beautiful route along the most beautiful places in three countries (Italy, Slovenia and Croatia). The lowest point of the route is only 2m above sea level and the highest point is 293m above sea level. The route has more than 600 curves, 9 tunnels, 11 bridges and 6 viaducts.

Due to its 6 tunnels , 4 viaducts , several bridges and beautiful viewpoints , the section from Grožnjan to Livade is the most attractive part of the Parenzana.

Because the Parenzana is a multi-day route, we make it a loop. We opt for the descent via the Parenzana and go from Grožnjan which is located at 310 meters (the highest point of the Parenzana ) to Livade (5m).

Those who want to make it a day trip can take the time to visit Grožnjan, the famous Istrian city of artists .

Start at the roundabout of Livade.

To get to Grožnjan we first follow the valley of the Mirna . Then follows the climb to Grožnjan.

It is well worth taking the time to visit this famous Istrian city of artists ,

We arrive in the small village of Stanica at the start of this part of the Parenzana.

We soon pass the Kalcini tunnel (length: 178.7 m), which is located at the highest point of the Parenzana (293 m).

The route continues along the south side of the plateau, crossing rough gravel road at some points, reaching the village of Biloslava. There used to be a covered railway stop here, which takes its name from the nearby town of Kostanjica. The place offers a beautiful view of the valley of the river Mirna , Motovun , Vižinada, Kostanjica...

After another tunnel, Kostanjica (length: 69.9 m), Parenzana winds further to the dirt road that leads to Završje. The town of Završje, located on a hill in the north, dominates this area with its medieval tower.

The route continues and soon reaches two tunnels, Završje I (length: 35 m) and Završje II (length: 28 m) and the scenic viaduct of the same name (length: 61.8 m, height: 20 m), which bridges a large, deep col.

The route continues on very loose and porous soil . Such a demanding terrain presented a challenge even to the railway builders. In the next col there is a small stone viaduct through which one of the trails leads to Zabrdo . This is followed by the Antonci Viaduct (length: 79.1 m, height: 25 m). After Antonci and Krti, the route via a rough gravel road through a pine forest reaches a demanding construction combination: viaduct (length: 68.5 m, height: 30 m) and tunnel Freski (length: 146 m).

The route descends further towards the valley of the Mlinska , crossing another viaduct (Oprtalj , length: 75.2 m, height: 25 m) over the valley, to finally reach the station in the village of Livade , our starting point.

Livade houses a large station building and warehouse, as well as a nicely decorated Parenzana museum.