Rogla: a high Pohorje plateau above Zreče
Rogla lies high on Pohorje, above the Dravinja Valley, where the forest above the last villages closes into a broad plateau. It is neither a village nor a town, but a sports and ski centre on the plateau, to which from Zreče you drive along a winding forest road through the dense Pohorje forest. If you are looking for a place where the winter and summer offer are in the same spot, Rogla is one of the options where the winter and summer offer are in the same place.
Why Rogla
Rogla is not a classic destination with a core and sights, but a plateau where everything is built around sport and nature. Pohorje is a rounded range without sharp rock, so the paths here are gentler and friendlier than in the Alps. This means you can come to Rogla with children or with older visitors who would not manage the paths in the alpine world. For a visitor this means mountain air without a demanding climb.
the Treetop Walk
Rogla's most recognisable newer attraction is the Treetop Walk, a raised wooden path that runs among the treetops and ends with an observation tower. The path is wide and gentle, so it is suitable for pushchairs and for those who do not walk well too; it is a paid attraction, whose price and opening times are on the official website of Rogla. For the visit count on a good hour, because it is walked slowly and because people like to linger at the tower.
the Lovrenc Lakes
From Rogla a path leads to the Lovrenc Lakes, a group of bog lakelets on the Pohorje raised bog, surrounded by dwarf pine and moss. The path is marked and long but gentle, so it is suitable for a day without a demanding climb. The bog is fragile, so walk exclusively on the laid-out boardwalk and do not step on the moss. These very lakelets are the most unusual part of Pohorje, because they are different from everything you would expect in the mountains.
What to do here in winter
Rogla is above all a skiing and cross-country centre, so in winter there are groomed runs for alpine skiing and for cross-country skiing. The conditions depend on the snow and are published on the official website of Rogla, since the higher elevations differ from the valley. For the afternoon after skiing there is a thermal offer in the valley in Zreče. Everything arranged as an experience you can see among experiences in Rogla.
What to do here in summer
In summer the plateau turns into a starting point for hiking and mountain biking, because the paths are gentle and shady. Thanks to the altitude, even in hot weeks it is cooler here than in the valley, which for many is the main reason to head right here in summer. On Pohorje there is a network of paths that links Rogla with Mariborsko Pohorje. If you are looking for an easier day, you can choose the Treetop Walk and add a short walk across the plateau.
What and where to eat
The dining offer on the plateau is tied to the sports centre and to the mountain lodges, so the choice is more limited than in the valley. Styrian cuisine here means soups, meat dishes and pastries made from leavened dough, which you eat after a hike. For a wider choice you can drive to Zreče in the valley, while at the weekend and during the holidays it is worth checking availability or booking.
Where to go on a day trip
Rogla is a good starting point for Pohorje and for the Dravinja Valley. In the valley below the plateau are Zreče with its thermal offering, and a little further on The Žiče Charterhouse, the oldest charterhouse on Slovenian territory. To the northeast Pohorje descends towards Maribor. If you are planning several days, take a look at the whole destination Maribor and Pohorje.
Where to stay
Rogla currently has no accommodation offer of its own on the portal, so look for accommodation in the valley. The closest and largest choice is in Zreče, where besides accommodation there is also a thermal offer. As the drive up to the plateau is winding, reckon on half an hour each way. For skiing, accommodation with space for equipment is useful.
When to come
In winter Rogla is given over to snow, so expect cold mornings and short days, but at the same time the best conditions for cross-country skiing. Summer is the most rewarding, because it is cooler on the plateau than in the valley. Autumn brings colours and clear views, while the spring season here is shorter than in the valley, because the snow at altitude lingers longer. The road up to the plateau can be wintry in winter, so before setting off check road conditions.
