Starting point: Terme Ptuj

• Path length :
  65.0 km
• Time:
  00:00:00
• Difficulty:
  Medium
• Ground:
  Asphalt

Description of path

From Terme Ptuj, cycle down the main road past turnišče toward Videm, where you should cross the Dravinja river and immediately turn right toward Dravinjski vrh. The first notable ascent follows, as you will be ascending from 200m above sea level to 350m. Immediately after exiting the forest, turn right between the vineyards.

During the next few kilometers of your journey, you will have a wonderful view of Dravsko polje and Ptujsko polje, all the way to the hills of Pohorje and Slovenske gorice. It is a relatively undemanding and beautiful ride, especially during autumn, when the grave harvest takes place. Eventually, you will descend Majski Vrh, and will need to turn left toward Podlehnik at the crossroads.

Another few kilometers of level road follow, giving you the opportunity to admire the landscape and the numerous churches in the area. When you reach the restaurant Babylon in Kozmince, turn left toward the Gruškovje border crossing. After you have taken care of the formalities, cross the border and, after visiting the border authorities in Macelj (about two kilometers beyond Gruškovje), turn right toward Trakoščan.

Next comes a light ascent over forested terrain with many swampy areas. This is a perfect place to stop and simply enjoy nature. After a few kilometers, you will reach Trakoščan, where it is possible to visit the well-kept castle and take a stroll around the lake. Trakoščan is also the starting point for several cycling and walking routes. Take a well-deserved rest, continue toward Cvetlin. It is time for another challenging ascent.

After reaching the top, cross the border and descend to Velika Varnica. If you are an ethnology enthusiast and still have some energy left, you can turn onto the side road leading to the ethnographic museum. This museum stands at the top of a hill, so you really will need to have some energy left!

If you want to save your energy or simply do not care about ethnology, head toward Leskovec, all the way to Soviče, where you should turn right in front of the Vrček inn. Eventually, you will reach Dravce, where you can see the biggest wind-rattle in Haloze. Sports enthusiasts can also enjoy a game of tennis, basketball or football. After that, you will face one final and mercifully small ascent, followed by a descent toward Videm and, after a few more kilometers over flat terrain past Turnišče, the return to your starting point.

The first stones of the church of St. Vid , which the town of Videm was named after, were laid in the romanesque period. It was finally completed in 1445. The core of the church is gothic, but it was heavily modified during the baroque period. There is also an altar to St. Rock with a statue of the Madonna, made by Jožef Straub around 1750.

The church of Mary in Podlehnik is a fine example of gothic architecture. Its presbytery is supported by star-shaped arches. During the time of the Turkish invasions, a wall was built around the church, but it crumbled over the centuries. This was the parish church until 1828, but then lost its status to the church in Sv. Trojica. It is possible to visit the castle in Trakoščane, and it is also the home of a well-kept museum. The castle was first mentioned as a minor fortress in 1334. It was owned for some time by the counts of Celje, but was then obtained by the Drašković family, who were its owners until 1944.

The church of St. Andrew in Leskovec was built prior to 1545. It was renovated several times, and rich frescos were added to its walls. If you visit the ethnographic museum in Velika Vernica, you can find out how the people of Haloze once lived.

Warning
The author of these pages takes no responsibility for the described cycle routes or for the accuracy of the data. We have presented the cycle routes to the best of our ability, but the cyclist and the maintainer of the route are ultimately responsible for the safety of the trip.