Camino Family 2026: free family walk in Rakalj, Istria, on 10 October

Camino Family is a free guided walk for families on a short stretch of the Camino South Istria, and its third edition is on Saturday 10 October 2026 at Rakalj, a village above the Raša bay in the municipality of Marčana. The route is 5 km long with up to 150 m of climbing and takes about two hours: easy for most of the way on a flat coastal path, and moderately demanding only on the final climb. The tourist boards of Pula, Marčana, Vodnjan and Medulin presented it at the Pula tourist office (morski.hr).

How the day works

• 08:30 to 09:30: registration at the Pedrola quarry in Stari Rakalj, where there is parking. Buses then take everyone to the start at the junction for Kalavojna bay and Fuzalica beach.
• The walk follows the coast on the Stjepan Hauser trail, through Luka bay past a sunken ship and Cape Sveti Mikula, with views of the Raša bay and the islands of Cres and Lošinj. There is a short refreshment stop halfway.
• The last stretch climbs through forest and maquis to the viewpoint and the little church of St Agnes in Stari Rakalj, above the mouth of the Raša.
• At the finish everyone gets a meal, the traditional Istrian maneštra z bobići, a bean soup with fresh sweetcorn, and DJ Fabris Radin plays. Children receive a Camino Family passport and can collect themed stamps.

Registration: free, but mandatory

Every participant, adult or child, has to register with the online form on southistria.com by Friday 9 October at 11:00, because the organisers plan the buses and the meals by numbers. Places are limited to 240, the capacity of the buses (Glas Istre). You walk at your own risk, and adults are responsible for their children. If the weather is bad, the organisers may move the date and will tell registered walkers in time.

Getting there and what to bring

Rakalj lies on the west side of the Raša bay, about 20 km from Pula by road, roughly half an hour by car. The organised buses only shuttle from the quarry to the start, so you need to get to Rakalj yourself. Wear proper walking shoes for the stony final climb and bring water and a light layer, because the coast can be cool on an October morning.

The Camino South Istria

The Camino South Istria is part of the Croatian and European network of Camino de Santiago routes: 192 km in seven chapters across southern Istria, promoted by the South Istria cluster, the tourist boards of Pula, Medulin, Vodnjan, Marčana, Ližnjan and Fažana. The route recently won an ECTN award for sustainable cultural tourism and the regional Zlatna koza prize. If the family walk gives you a taste for it, the pilgrim credential and where to pick it up are listed on caminocroatia.com.