ZDV_P_03_A hike from Križ to Miramar Castle

A hike from Križ (santa Croce) to Miramar Castle

On demand

HIKING

LOCAL CUISINE

CYCLING

UNSPOILED NATURE

TRADITION

IN-DEPTH EXPERIENCES

We will start the hike on the coastal road under the village of Križ (Santa Croce), and we will end it at the magical Miramar Castle.

Our starting point will be the Šonik beach, from where we will climb, just like the fishermen from the village and their wives were climbing daily, 750 steps to the village of Santa Croce (Križ), where we visit the “stronghold of the Slovenian fishing tradition” – the Fishing Museum. After the visit we continue along the scenic promenade above the sea.. During the journey, we will once again admire the massive set of stairs, which were counted daily by local fishermen. We will end the journey at the castle, in which there is only one room that does not have a view of the sea. That’s why it got the name Miramar – watching the sea.

This time, too, the starting point of the hike is at the Sežana train station, accessible to hikers arriving by train and friendly to all those who decide to drive. From there, we transport you to the starting point with vans, that will pick you up at the end of the route and return you back to the starting point, too.

Duration of the trip:	1 day
Estimated mileage:	9,1 km
Estimated total ascent:	463 m
Necessary equipment:	hiking shoes, hiking poles (optional)
Countries:	Slovenia, Italiy
Begin/End:	Sežana Raiilway Station
Price	35 EUR

Highlights:

750 steps to the village of Križ
Fishing Museum in Križ
Miramare Castle park and Miramare Castle

Price includes:

entrance fee to the Fishing Museum
transportation to the starting point and from the end of the excursion
management and organization of the trip
snack at the end of the prip

Overall Tour Level::

Tour description:

We will start the trip on the coastal road (Costiera) below the village of Križ (Santa Croce). The first part of the trip will be devoted to reviving memories of the tradition of the local Slovenian fishermen. They did not build their dwellings comfortably by the seashore, but rather decided to have them on top of a steep embankment, where the karst plateau breaks into the sea. So they had to descend every day 200 meters to reach the sea and climb the same distance to return to their homes. To make it easier, they have been building staircases – e.g at least 515 steps to Nabrežina (Aurisina), and as many as 750 to Križ (Santa Croce)!

At the start of our trip we will warm up on these 750 steps so that we will be ready to enter the “sanctuary” of Slovenian fishermen – the fishing museum. It contains objects and testimonies from this centuries-old tradition. The only missing object is the traditional boat carved from a single trunk, called “čupa”, which is exposed in the Ethnographic Museum in Ljubljana.

From the wonderful viewing platform between the Fishing Museum and the Cultural center, where is a popular meeting point of the local slovenian community, we will be descending back to the sea. Along the way to the village of Grljan (Grigliano), we will be passing through the terraces planted with olive trees, orchards and gardens and reach at the end again the coastal road. Again, there will be some more steps in between…

We will descend to the sea level, where the marina and beaches are and by the gentle slope raise again to the hill with a charming “casteletto”, the villa where royal couple of archiduke Maximilian and his wife Charlotte lived during the construction of the Castle of Miramar . A carefully arranged park extends to the castle, partly shaped into baroque gardens, partly into forest paths, terraces, ponds…. At the romantic neoclassical Castle Miramar our hike ends.

Overall Tour Level::

Irena Hlede is an architect by her profession, but she has worked in the fields of graphic design, journalism and sustainable mobility as well. It was engaged in many sports activities, from sailing to skiing or badminton, but the common thread throughout remains cycling. She regularly participates in the non-governmental organization Slovenska kolesarska mreža (Slovenian Cyclists network) as well as with the European Cycling Federation ECF, lectures on cycling and remains loyal to long-distance cycling. In this field, she completed several trainings – among others for the Assessor under the scheme “Cycle Friendly Employer”, Development of Mobility Plans and for the EuroVelo Route Inspector. She obtained the title and knowledge of a tourist guide at the national level, too, and is the founder and owner of the travel agency GremoZeleno – GoGreenWay. In addition to the in the university obtained areas of architecture and art, she is also keenly interested in ethnology, geography and history with an emphasis on everything related to the local tradition, especially some less known areas, such as the indigenous religion and the people who followed it. She also researches many “borderline” skills, such as dowsing or geomancy. It is a convinced environmentalist and an opponent of violence and wars in general.

She speaks English and French and, of course, Croatian and Serbian.

Terrain configuration

	Mostly flat terrain, only shorter lower hills are possible.
	Slightly hilly terrain, ascents and descents are shorter and technically and undemanding for those who are not fit enough.
	Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can also be longer and steeper-
	Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can be very long and technically demanding.
	Mountainous terrain, very demanding ascents and descents on single tracks, tows or otherwise demanding trails that require a high level of fitness and technical skills.

Day Level

EASY: Relaxed and gentle hikes for hikers of average fitness and generally good health. They lead along maintained paths and are marked with boards or markings. The terrain is mildly undulating, without challenging ascents and descents. No prior hiking experience is required, so they are suitable for beginners as well. Daily walking is limited to 3-5 hours or a maximum of 12 kilometers.
MEDIUM EASY: In principle, undemanding hikes, but in some places they can also include a longer hike on medium-demanding hills with steeper ascents or descents. In general, the hiking trails are well maintained, but shorter sections with a rougher surface in places and steeper or exposed trail sequences are possible. Daily walking is limited to 4-6 hours or a maximum of 15 kilometers.
MEDIUM DEMANDING: Suitable for more experienced hikers with generally good fitness. The moderately demanding hiking level includes longer hiking trails and steeper ascents and descents. Longer sections of ascents or descents or several short steep ascents or descents are also possible on the route. The terrain can be mixed, including rocky areas and mixed surfaces. Daily walking is limited to 5-7 hours or a maximum of 20 kilometers.
DEMANDING: Suitable for active, physically fit hikers who want challenging hiking experiences. They also cover longer steep climbs or descents and high-altitude (climbing) areas of the ground, which can also be rough or slippery in places. The hikes are mostly moderately demanding, but some are also longer and more demanding. From time to time, it is also possible to hike from the hut to the hut, when you have to carry your own luggage / backpack. Daily walking is limited to 6-9 hours or a maximum of 30 kilometers.
VERY DEMANDING: Suitable for very experienced and physically fit hikers. Navigation experience required. Steep ascents and descents over rough and mixed surfaces in high mountain areas are covered, as well as on exposed paths, fixed turnouts and slippery surfaces. It can be expedition-style and require demanding daily walks, in areas where you walk from hut to hut and carry your own luggage / backpack. The daily volume of walking is on average 8-10 hours, or more than 30 kilometers.