Parenzana Ultra Trail and Parenzana Gravel Race 2026: Poreč and Portorož connected again by cross-border races
In mid-February, Poreč will once again become the starting point of one of the more recognizable winter outdoor weekends in northwestern Istria: on Saturday, 14 February 2026, the schedule features the
4th Parenzana Ultra Trail, and on Sunday, 15 February 2026, the
4th Parenzana Gravel Race follows. Two events, different in sport but united by the idea, connect Croatia and Slovenia along the route of the former narrow-gauge Parenzana railway, today transformed into an attractive walking-and-cycling trail with tunnels, viaducts, and long gravel sections through vineyards and forest landscapes.
On both days, the main start is planned in the
center of Poreč, at Trg slobode, while the finish of all races is at
Camping Lucija in Portorož. The organizer is
Športno društvo Portorož, with partner support from tourism and local institutions on both sides of the border, and the program is designed to bring together both competitors and recreational participants seeking a combination of sporting challenge, natural scenery, and cultural heritage.
For visitors planning to arrive earlier or stay longer, it is customary to look for accommodation in advance due to the weekend during the events season, so it is often recommended to check
accommodation offers in Poreč or
accommodation near the start, especially if coming from other parts of Croatia or abroad.
Saturday: Parenzana Ultra Trail – multiple distances, one finish in Portorož
Parenzana Ultra Trail is conceived as a trail race open to a wide range of runners, from those just entering the world of longer distances to more experienced ultratrail runners. According to official organizational information, participants are offered distances that finish at the same location in Portorož, but differ in starting points and difficulty.
Main distances and race concept
The program includes races of
30 km,
50 km, and
88 km. The longest 88-kilometer section starts in Poreč early in the morning, while the shorter distances have starts in inland Istria, which allows different groups of runners to gradually “flow into” the shared route toward the Slovenian coast. In addition to individual entries, a
relay race over 88 km is also planned for teams of two or three members, a format that often attracts clubs and friendly groups who want to share the kilometers while keeping a competitive element.
The course: gravel, forest sections, and a “railway” rhythm of movement
The essence of Parenzana in a sporting sense lies in the surface and profile: a large part of the route follows gravel, field, and forest roads, far from the busiest road corridors. In practice, this means a “more stable” running rhythm on long sections, with technical parts on climbs and in certain segments where the route passes through the natural corridors of the former railway line. It is precisely this combination that makes the race recognizable: the feeling of moving along infrastructure from another era, but in a modern outdoor format.
For runners who arrive with a support crew, part of the group often chooses logistics between the start and finish (Poreč–Portorož), so in practice options are sought such as
accommodation for supporters in Poreč or
accommodation near the finish in Portorož, depending on the movement plan and transport.
Sunday: Parenzana Gravel Race – a cycling program with multiple categories
The day after the trail, Parenzana “switches” into cycling mode. Parenzana Gravel Race is positioned as an international event that brings together riders from several countries, while combining multiple cycling categories. According to official announcements, the race is open to
GRAVEL,
MTB, and
E-MTB categories, also over distances of
30 km,
50 km, and
88 km.
Why “gravel” fits Parenzana so well
In recent years, the gravel discipline has been growing strongly in Europe, and Parenzana almost naturally fits into that trend: long gravel segments, varied terrain, a mix of faster and slower sections, and the ability to ride “in rhythm” without constant traffic. Within the same event, MTB and E-MTB options further broaden the participant base, so at the start there are often both competitors aiming for a result and recreational riders who want the route experience with a greater level of pace control.
Organization and safety on the route
In such cross-border events, a key part of the story is safety: route marking, aid stations, and medical and technical support. Official race descriptions emphasize professional organization and on-course support, along with logistics at the start and finish, which is especially important in winter, when days are shorter and conditions changeable. As a rule, participants are reminded of mandatory or recommended equipment, adherence to rules, and responsible movement in nature, especially on segments where the route is shared with recreational users who use Parenzana independently of the event.
For cyclists coming from afar, a practical detail is that accommodation is often sought with space for equipment and easy access to the start, so it is common to check
accommodation near Trg slobode in Poreč or
cyclist-friendly accommodation.
Parenzana as a backdrop: from a narrow-gauge railway to a “route of health and friendship”
Parenzana is not only a sports trail, but also a layer of regional history that is now read through recreation. It was once a
narrow-gauge railway that in the early 20th century connected
Trieste and Poreč, passing through areas of today’s Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. According to data from a specialized portal dedicated to Parenzana and official Istrian tourism sources, the railway was in operation from
1902 to 1935, and in a relatively short period left a strong mark on the development of settlements, trade, and mobility on the peninsula.
Today, its route is largely used as a
walking-and-cycling trail, recognizable for its tunnels, viaducts, bridges, and viewpoints, and for the fact that it “connects” the coast and the interior with minimal contact with main roads. In tourism and sporting terms, it is a combination that attracts people throughout the year, and the February races further highlight Parenzana as a winter alternative to classic events in warmer months.
Cross-border character: sport as a format for cooperation
Parenzana Ultra Trail and Parenzana Gravel Race also have a clear “soft” dimension: in a region where borders are part of everyday life, such events offer a concrete framework of cooperation through sport, tourism, and local communities. The start in Poreč and the finish in Portorož function as a symbolic backbone, but also as real logistics that include coordination of organizers, partners, and field services. That is why, in communications, the races are often described as events that connect landscapes and people, not just kilometers.
For visitors who want to combine the race with a weekend trip, Poreč (start, city atmosphere, logistics) and Portorož (finish, welcome, coastal amenities) are most often combined, so when planning the trip people often look at
weekend accommodation in Poreč, and then also
accommodation in Portorož for the event finale.
Who comes and what the event brings to the local community
Organizers and tourism sources announcing the event emphasize that year after year the races attract competitors from several European countries. In practice, this also means direct effects on the local economy: accommodation occupancy, hospitality business, transport needs, and accompanying services (repairs, sports equipment shops, local tours). The winter date has special value because it extends activity beyond the classic season, which has for several years been one of the goals of many Adriatic destinations.
How to prepare: pace, equipment, and realistic expectations
For trail runners, the particularity of February is a combination of colder mornings, possible precipitation, and slippery surfaces on forest segments. For cyclists, gravel can be fast but also demanding if wet, with a higher risk of punctures. Therefore, in official rules and Q&A documents, participants are typically directed to check mandatory equipment, nutrition, and safety recommendations, as well as to plan arrival time at the start in Poreč.
If you travel with family or a group, part of the preparation is often practical as well: where to park, how to get to the finish, and where to stay overnight. That is why it is common to check earlier
accommodation in Poreč for race participants or
accommodation along the Parenzana route, especially for those who want to catch both Saturday and Sunday without rushing.
Sources:- SPORTOROZ (Športno društvo Portorož) – official event website and announcements of dates/race concept (link)- SPORTOROZ – official Parenzana Gravel Race page with the date and registration information (link)- Istra.hr (official Istria tourism portal) – announcement of Parenzana Ultra Trail 14.02.2026, start location and key details (link)- Istra.hr (official Istria tourism portal) – announcement of Parenzana Gravel Race 15.02.2026, categories and basic information (link)- Parenzana.net – history of Parenzana (1902–1935) and context of converting the route into a recreational trail (link)- Parenzana.net – timeline (opening of sections in 1902, development of stations and infrastructure) (link)- MyPorec / official destination tourism content for Poreč – event Parenzana Ultra Trail (start place and time) (link)- MyPorec / official destination tourism content for Poreč – event Parenzana Gravel Race (start place and time) (link)
Find accommodation nearby
Creation time: 4 hours ago