Ženodraga: Cycling Routes, Parenzana and Winemaking

Ženodraga offers several specific points of interest for a stay: cycling routes pass through the village, the Parenzana recalls the historic railway connection between Poreč and Trieste, and the Peršurić family winery has been based here for centuries. These themes can be given different emphasis on your trip: a longer bike ride, a look at the railway route, or an interest in local winemaking.

Cycling routes with different features

The official Trail of St. Lovreč Capitans cycling route is 50 kilometres long. From Poreč, it passes through Ženodraga and continues towards Baderna and Sveti Lovreč. The route alternates between country roads and forest tracks. It is considered moderately difficult and takes approximately four to five hours. Allow for this approximate duration and check the route details again before setting off.

Po rubu Poreštine (104) reaches Ženodraga via forest tracks and then continues to Baderna. The route is 48 kilometres long in total and can be ridden on gravel or cross bikes. The official MTB route 141 Maximus Agri also passes through Ženodraga.

The two longer cycling routes are similar in length, at 50 and 48 kilometres. For the Trail of St. Lovreč Capitans route, the difficulty level and approximate duration are important points of comparison; for Po rubu Poreštine, they are the forest-track route and the stated bike type. This makes it possible to plan the day around different route details.

The Parenzana and its history

The Parenzana is a walking and cycling trail with a tunnel in Ženodraga. Historically, the railway line connected Poreč and Trieste. In 2002, signposts for cyclists and pedestrians were installed along the entire Parenzana. This brings both a present-day route and the history of the former railway connection into focus at the same place.

Winemaking and an oral account of the name

The Peršurić family winery has been based in Ženodraga for centuries. Its vineyards cover about 15 hectares and lie on deep red soil at an elevation of 120 metres above sea level. The family history, vineyard area, soil and elevation provide a specific context for local winemaking.

The unusual place name is also linked to a story. An account published in 2021 recounts local oral traditions that connect it to the historic family name Zenandrago. According to this tradition, a priest was said to have been the last descendant of the family. The story should be understood as local oral tradition, not as a confirmed etymology.

More routes and topics in the wider destination of Općina Višnjan

In the wider destination of Općina Višnjan, walking trails offer a different perspective. The Venetian Lion Trail passes through historic Višnjan, from Antun Korlević Square beneath the arch with the Venetian lion to the old village of Barat and back. The route is 4.5 kilometres long and takes about two and a half hours. The marked Owl Trail is 7.7 kilometres long, begins in a small pine grove near the Višnjan cemetery, and is suitable for family walks. It leads to the purpose-built Vena viewpoint, from which olive groves, vineyards and the sea can be seen.

The Višnjan Observatory is also part of the regional offering. Group visits are available year-round by prior arrangement. The group programme includes an introductory lecture on a scientific or astronomical topic and a tour of the observatory, the telescope dome and the Stone Circle. If weather conditions are suitable, outdoor telescope viewing is part of the programme. This condition is particularly relevant for groups planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Pršurići, Bačva, Žikovići, Strpačići, Benčani, Markovac, Cvitani, Višnjan

Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Višnjan.