Walk from Piran to Strunjan on Slovenia’s Coast
From the tip of the Piran Peninsula, the rocky Slovenian coastline trails east four kilometres toward a protruding landmass of bulking cliffs covered in trees. The protected natural reserve, Strunjan Nature Park, is rich with diverse geological phenomena. The layers of rock that plummet into the Adriatic Sea are formed by the crashing waves, wind and rain. Natural vegetation, as well as olive groves and vineyards, grow on Strunjan, which can be explored by foot on intertwining trails. A shoreline nature path connects the two peninsulas, providing a pleasant way to walk from Piran to Strunjan on Slovenia’s coast.
Mid-morning, after lounging over coffee on Piran’s main square, we exited Tartini Plaza on the east side via a narrow passage, Bolniska Ulica. At the top of the street, after passing the Minorite Monastery and two other Piran churches, we found stairs to our left that descended to the beginning of the path and began our walk from Piran to Strunjan.
The paved trail barely exceeded the height of the splashing sea. Across the turquoise water of Fiesa Bay, we had unobstructed views of Strunjan and the 73 metres high bluffs. Although they seemed distant, we would be standing on top of them in just a little more than an hour.
In the small community of Fiesa, we regretted not bringing a Piran to Strunjan map of the route for our coastal walk, as it appeared we had three options. The path hugging the coast seemed to end at the waterfront hotel and the road veering right appeared to cut too far inland. The street to the right of the hotel leading up was marked with a faint bicycle trail marker – and we determined it had to be the right trail to follow. Our intuitions were correct and soon we had other faded and ramshackle signs keeping us on track as we moved onto a dirt trail under a canopy of trees. Through gaps in the greenery, we could see Strunjan getting closer and Piran growing smaller.
The dirt path ended at a road of steeply declining switchbacks. We kept to the berm as we made our way down to Strunjan Bay and the Strunjan Saltworks. The sectioned fields date to the 13th century and are still operating today using traditional methods for collecting sea salt. Rather than walking along the perimeter of the salt pans, we cut across the bridges to Strunjan Beach and lagoon, looking back at Piran and the distance we had travelled.
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I have done this walk with Erazem, with Cveta, and with Mirko. It is beautiful.
Mid-morning, after lounging over coffee on Piran’s main square, we exited Tartini Plaza on the east side via a narrow passage, Bolniska Ulica. At the top of the street, after passing the Minorite Monastery and two other Piran churches, we found stairs to our left that descended to the beginning of the path and began our walk from Piran to Strunjan.
The paved trail barely exceeded the height of the splashing sea. Across the turquoise water of Fiesa Bay, we had unobstructed views of Strunjan and the 73 metres high bluffs. Although they seemed distant, we would be standing on top of them in just a little more than an hour.
In the small community of Fiesa, we regretted not bringing a Piran to Strunjan map of the route for our coastal walk, as it appeared we had three options. The path hugging the coast seemed to end at the waterfront hotel and the road veering right appeared to cut too far inland. The street to the right of the hotel leading up was marked with a faint bicycle trail marker – and we determined it had to be the right trail to follow. Our intuitions were correct and soon we had other faded and ramshackle signs keeping us on track as we moved onto a dirt trail under a canopy of trees. Through gaps in the greenery, we could see Strunjan getting closer and Piran growing smaller.
The dirt path ended at a road of steeply declining switchbacks. We kept to the berm as we made our way down to Strunjan Bay and the Strunjan Saltworks. The sectioned fields date to the 13th century and are still operating today using traditional methods for collecting sea salt. Rather than walking along the perimeter of the salt pans, we cut across the bridges to Strunjan Beach and lagoon, looking back at Piran and the distance we had travelled.
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I have done this walk with Erazem, with Cveta, and with Mirko. It is beautiful.
26-30, F
