The Sage Trail (or Trail Weiss) is a simple and very picturesque path that runs along the edge of the Karst and offers a magnificent view of the Gulf of Trieste. This panoramic trip is suitable for everyone, from those who love the blue of the sea to those who prefer the green of nature. A walk along this path will involve all your senses.
The path that is long about 2.5 km, is connecting the village of Aurisina with the village of Santa Croce di Trieste. It is a panoramic route, one of the most scenic trails in the Trieste Karst. In sunny weather, it offers a magnificent view of the Grado lagoon, the Gulf of Trieste and all the way to the tip of Cape Savudrija (in Croatia) and the mountains of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. A real experience not to be missed by nature and scenic lovers.
The path is gravel, mostly flat, with no major ascents or descents.
Of course, the trail is well marked and signed, so there's really no chance of going off the path. The Sage Trail is also known as the Weiss Trail, as it is dedicated to the famous mountaineer from Trieste, who has passed away very young.
We started our journey in the village of Aurisina, near the Igo Gruden Slovenian Gymnasium, where there is plenty of space to park the car free of charge.
However, the Sage Trail does not have this name by chance - the scent emitted by this aromatic plant is one of the characteristics of the walk that most impresses visitors. The scent of wild sage will be with you at all times.
In addition to the sage, you will also be accompanied by the white karst stone, juniper bushes and the Trieste pine, which are the main features of this place, perfect for a complete experience of the Trieste Karst.
We also came across some mushrooms, a catachrestic fruit of the autumn season.
Treese are covered with stunning and coloured leaves that make contrasts with the sea's blue. The autumn colour crates a perfect scenery and you enjoy your walk worry-free since the position of the path give you protection from the eventual wind, also from the powerful Bora wind. Despite the lush vegetation, the view from the path is open and expansive for miles.
We met many people along the way, mainly families with children, but also couples and runners recreating on the trail.
Most of the path runs parallel to the railway line below. If you're lucky, you may also meet a train, the kids will surely love it 😊
The Gulf of Trieste is always buzzing with activity. On the day of our walk, there were quite a few boats in the sea, I assume they were having a training session or a get-together in the nice sunny weather. Despite the fact that we didn't feel the wind ourselves on the walk, I guess it was a different situation on the sea, as the boats had sails full of wind.
Also moored in the bay is the 143-metre sailing yacht, named A, which was seized by the Italian authorities from a Russian oligarch. The ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion system and combines the characteristics of sailing and motor yachts. Yacht A has the largest carbon masts in the world, including a main mast that extends an incredible 100 metres above the waterline. It is designed to comfortably accommodate up to 20 guests and a crew of 54.
On the way, we came across an abandoned building that, despite its poor condition, had its own charm. When I looked inside, I got the feeling that the owners had hastily abandoned their abode, as there were still many ordinary things inside.
After about 2.5 kilometres, you reach the main road leading to the village of Santa Croce in Trieste. We did not continue the walk, but returned the same way back, because we had made a plan to meet up with friends in the afternoon.
Defiantly it is a walk that we will repeat in the near future.
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Best regards, @miljo76