Dear guests of the Hotel Città di Parenzo, 

as usual, here is our monthly column on the main events, celebrations and appointments scheduled in our beautiful Trieste. For the month of March, given the approach of spring, we have decided to offer you an in-depth look at some of the famous nature trails to explore, immersed in the breathtaking landscapes offered by our beautiful Trieste area. 

Rilke Trail

This is one of the most beautiful and evocative walks in the entire Karst landscape: it overlooks the Gulf of Trieste and connects the towns of Sistiana and Duino. The trail takes its name from the poet R.M. Rilke who, as a guest at Duino Castle at the beginning of the last century, composed his “Duino Elegies” there. It can be reached by car or bus from the historic centre of Trieste. During the walk, you may come across some military posts overlooking the sea. Towards the end of the trail, you will arrive in the immediate vicinity of Duino Castle, the historic residence of the princes of Torre and Tasso (Thurn und Taxis). The walk is short and easy, but set in a unique natural environment. 

Napoleon Road

Located not far from the centre of Trieste and with an easily accessible starting point by public transport, the Vicentina road – better known as the Napoleon Road – is one of the most popular destinations for enjoying breathtaking views of the Gulf of Trieste and discovering the hidden treasures of the Trieste Karst. It is a walk of about 3.7 kilometres along the Karst ridge, high above the sea, with stunning views of the Julian capital and its gulf. The path is wide and the walk is sunny and sheltered from the bora wind, which is why it is also pleasant to walk along in the winter months. A short detour at the beginning of the trail leads to Vedetta Italia, one of the many panoramic observation points scattered throughout the Trieste Karst. The beginning of the trail is also characterised by vertical rock faces, where climbers hold climbing schools and training sessions on routes of varying difficulty. At the end of the trail, near the Obelisk, there is also a stop on the historic Opicina tramway, which connects the village of the same name with the centre of Trieste. 

Val Rosandra

Just 10 km from Trieste, this splendid nature reserve is a protected area covering over 700 hectares and forms the border with Slovenia. It is characterised by incredible biodiversity and has always been a destination for hikers, mountaineers, speleologists and even simple tourists looking for a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The valley is easily accessible by car or public transport and offers a variety of trails and walks, such as the Sentiero Stena (one hour, accessible to all), the Sentiero Griza (two hours), the Sentiero dell’Amicizia (approximately four to five hours), etc. 

What about you? If you feel like trying one of these wonderful walks and discovering the beauty of nature just a stone’s throw from our wonderful city, don’t hesitate to ask our staff for information: we will be happy to advise you!