Poreč - Epic Rides Croatia

Destination

Istria is a Croatian gem – touristically, but also in many other ways.

When the tourists have not yet arrived, when Istria is waking up and preparing for a new season, and fragrances drift from every house and tavern – that’s exactly when Epic Rides will take you to Croatia’s largest peninsula.

Epic Rides is taking you to Poreč.

Route

Istria is the queen of Croatian cycling tourism.
From early spring all the way into late autumn, Istria is full of cyclists enjoying all the wonders of Croatia’s largest peninsula, and once you ride Epic Rides Poreč, you’ll understand exactly why that is.

A gentle, well-kept, beautiful and varied landscape, with every type of terrain you can imagine, from interesting yet very easy field and forest trails, to smooth and refined gravel roads, and small winding lanes that pass through villages, hamlets, and little towns.

There will soon be at least five Epic Rides in Istria. Because Istria deserves it. And Poreč, a place we always love returning to, was given the honor back in 2022 to host the very first Epic Rides event in Istria.

This is the longest Epic Rides so far, measuring a full 58 km, yet at the same time the one with the least elevation - only 520 meters. It will definitely put a smile on your face, because it’s incredibly enjoyable, and you’ll be happy to grab a beer at the finish, after roughly 3 hours of riding.

The new Epic Rides starts in Poreč, one of the most beautiful towns in Istria and a major tourist center.
We ride along the sea, on a promenade that circles around the old town, after which we do a loop on the pumptrack, which we built in Poreč in 2022 together with our Slovenian partners. After 4 km by the sea, we head inland and enter a small forest, where a narrow trail immediately shows why Istria is such an attractive destination for mountain biking. After a few kilometers of trails, we continue through endless vineyards and coat our tires in the red soil characteristic for this part of Istria.

After the vineyards, we ride toward the Lim Bay and through the protected Kontija forest.

The feed zone is located at km 26, where, in addition to bananas and isotonic drinks, you can also enjoy a photo moment overlooking Lim Bay.

For the next 15 kilometers, we ride through villages and hamlets, discovering Istria from the inside. We pass through Sveti Lovreč, and after 40 km, we reach the highest point of the route, the small settlement of Rakovci, at 268 meters above sea level.

The last 20 km of this Epic Ride is primarily a descent back toward Poreč. Gravel roads still dominate, along with the red soil, local farm animals, beautiful old and renovated Istrian houses, as well as brand new ones built in authentic style.

Finally, we descend toward Poreč and after 58 km, at the finish line, a beer, Coca-Cola, snacks, and a friendly gathering await you.

Istria is always a good idea. Especially by bike.
Get to know your homeland so you can love it more.
Get to know it by bike.

NOTE: Every Epic Rides route is carefully designed to ensure it never exceeds 50 km in distance and 1,000 m of elevation gain (combined). There are no technically demanding sections on the route, and if the terrain makes them unavoidable, they are short, can be walked, and are additionally marked on the trail itself.

Start location: POREČ
Start time: 10:30

*The organizer reserves the right to change the event program and schedule.

EPIC RIDES

Distance: 58.1 km

Ascent: 520 m

Offroad: 53 %

SHORT

Distance: 51.5 km

Ascent: 450 m

Offroad: 50 %

Event schedule

SATURDAY 21.03.2026.

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00–10:00	Participant registration and distribution of start numbers
10:30	Start EPIC RIDES POREČ / ISTRIA
12:30–17:00	Snacks, beer, music, and socializing
17:00	End EPIC RIDES POREČ / ISTRIA

Prices and booking conditions

Early Bird cijena: 42 €

+7% AvaiBook fee (2,94 EUR)
The Early Bird price is valid until all Early Bird spots are filled, and no later than March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Redovna cijena: 45 €

+7% AvaiBook fee (3,15 EUR)
The regular price is valid until all spots at the regular price are filled, and no later than March 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Last Minute cijena: 48 €

+7% AvaiBook fee (3,36 EUR)
The Last Minute price is valid until all Last Minute spots are filled, and no later than March 19, 2026, at 8:00 PM.

 View GENERAL TERMS OF PARTICIPATION  Download GENERAL TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

Accomodation

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION OFFER FOR EPIC RIDES POREČ

In cooperation with our long-term partner for Adria Bike cycling event – Valamar Hotels & Resorts, a special accommodation offer at promotional rates has been secured for participants of EPIC RIDES Poreč / Istria at Valamar Parentino Hotel 4* and Valamar Diamant Hotel 4*.

Promotional rates are valid for accommodation bookings made via the reservation link using the special promo code EPIC2026, for stays from March 20-22, 2026 (minimum stay: 1 night).

Forget about cooking and worrying about meals – breakfast and a rich buffet dinner are waiting for you.
Relax in the Wellness area after Epic Rides, don’t worry about parking, simplify your plans, and treat yourself to a weekend getaway at the start of the season.

Valamar Parentino Hotel 4*

Valamar Parentino Hotel 4* is a true seaside paradise, located right next to the start/finish area and the event village for Epic Rides Poreč, and you can book HERE.

4-star hotel
buffet breakfast
buffet dinner with soft drinks included
wellness
parking
right next to the EPIC RIDES start/finish
bike center within the hotel (bike & e-bike rental, minor repairs)

Valamar Diamant Hotel 4*

Valamar Diamant Hotel 4* is located in an oasis of fragrant pine trees near beautifully arranged beaches. It is just a 10-minute walk from Poreč’s historic center and offers a wellness center and pools, and you can book HERE.