The Way of Water gives a stay in Heraki a specific connection to hiking. The 11.2-kilometre circular hike starts in Sveti Lovreč, initially follows the road towards Heraki, then branches off onto a forest path to the Rulja spring. The spring lies along the described route before Heraki. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Heraki, you can consider this route as one possible focus when planning your trip.
Hiking the Way of Water
Further along, the route passes through Lakovići and Orbani, then on to Vošteni and Perini, before returning to Sveti Lovreč. The trail therefore describes not just a visit to a single spring, but a circular route with several named places. The distance helps you plan the hike as a separate outing; you can adjust it to your pace and preferred breaks when planning your day. Trail conditions may change, so it is advisable to check them before setting out.
The water sources give the route its specific theme: as well as Rulja, it includes the Purinka spring near Orbani. Ponds and water basins are also located along the trail; the Puč spring is in Vošteni. The hike thus links springs with other freshwater features. If springs are of particular interest to you, you can see Rulja and Purinka as distinct points along the route; if you take a broader view, you will also find ponds and basins along the way.
In the wider destination of Općina Sveti Lovreč
The circular hiking trail is called Put vode (Istra Trails No. 720), is 11.2 kilometres long and runs through the municipality of Sveti Lovreč. It starts at the restored town spring in the centre of Sveti Lovreč, near Velika vrata, and ends at the same spring. Several water sources in the municipality are connected by the route. This puts the section leading towards Heraki into the context of the wider trail: the loop starts and ends in Sveti Lovreč.
The Puč spring in Vošteni is also part of the wider destination of Općina Sveti Lovreč. It is considered the municipality’s best-known natural water source. This adds a clearly named point of comparison to the route: Rulja and Purinka are other springs along the trail, while Puč is highlighted as a particularly well-known natural water source.
Church, walls and local history
In the wider destination of Općina Sveti Lovreč, St Martin’s Church offers a distinct cultural focus. It is home to Istria’s oldest organ, created by Petar Nakić, also known as Pietro Nacchini, in 1735 and restored in 2013. The church also contains one of Istria’s oldest surviving fresco ensembles, including frescoes in the northern and southern apses that were recently restored. The organ and frescoes offer different points of interest, focusing on both the history of an instrument and the surviving wall paintings.
The town walls of Sveti Lovreč were extended and developed in the 14th century, when the town was the seat of the captains. The fortified complex includes the Funtanela Tower, a nearby triangular tower and a bell tower that formerly served as a defensive tower. The town’s circular layout also has historical origins: it dates back to a prehistoric hillfort on the rise. The walls, towers and settlement layout thus offer different ways to explore the town’s history.
The Gallery Placa in Sveti Lovreč is an information centre and gallery with information about the tourist offer in Sveti Lovreč and central Istria. As services may change, check which offers are currently available before visiting. When planning accommodation in Heraki, you can weigh the options separately: the Way of Water as a longer hike with several water sources, and the church and local history in the wider destination of Općina Sveti Lovreč.
Discover more destinations: Medaki, Perini, Marasi, Flengi, Kruncici, Čehići, Stranići Kod Lovreča, Selina.
Go to the wider travel overview: Općina Sveti Lovreč.
