CROSSING
THE POHORJE HILLS
TOUR DESCRIPTION
CROSSING THE POHORJE HILLS
The Pohorje Hills are a mountain range reaching above 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) and located just southwest of Slovenia's second largest city, Maribor.
More than 70 % of the area is covered in coniferous forests, making it the go-to place for recreation as well as relaxation.
In the Pohorje's midst, you find clean streams, waterfalls, lakes, peat bogs, and even giant trees
(the tallest tree in Europe (64 m, or 210 ft) is the Sgerm spruce tree near Ribnica na Pohorju).
The hills are criss-crossed with hiking paths and mountain lodges, as well as mountain biking trails and forest roads mainly used by cyclists and horseback riders.
There are many options for crossing the Pohorje by bike.
This 120-kilometre, 4-day route is just one of them, taking you past lakes, outdoor sports centres, and mountain lodges offering traditional dishes, with incredible panoramic views along the way.
DAY 1: Maribor - Osankarica
DAY 3: Rogla - Kope
DAY 2: Osankarica - Rogla
DAY 4: Kope - Vuhred
ELEVATION GAIN
2,060 m
6,759 feet
LINEAR ROUTE
120 km
75 miles
START: Maribor
FINISH: Vuhred
Return to Maribor by train
(from Vuhred)
TIME
4 days
Late spring
Summer
Early autumn
(to avoid snow)
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
4/5
some long and/or steep climbs
SURFACE
paved roads
gravel roads
forest roads and paths
BICYCLE
A hybrid bike
A mountain bike
TAKE WITH YOU
A puncture kit
A spare inner tube
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The route mostly runs on gravel roads, with some shorter paved sections and forest paths in between.
There are many mountain lodges on the route, with picnic spots and traditional food available to visitors.
The route is partially signposted (when following parts of other cyling routes, like the PT - Pohorje Transversal Route).
Information boards and maps can be found along the way (near the main attractions) written mainly in Slovenian (and few in English and German).