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Visit Gorice - Lenart, Sveta Ana
Cycling route · Štajerska (Slovenian Styria) · Trekking, Road
- Length
- 28 km
- Elevation gain
- 420 m
- Duration
- ~2 h
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Region
- Štajerska (Slovenian Styria)
- Route type
- Trekking, Road
- Surface
- asphalt 28 km
- Suitable for
- E-bike, MTB, Gravel, Trekking, Road bike
A circular cycling route that takes us to the northern part of Slovenske gorice and then back to Lenart through the valleys on the other side. The trail follows quiet local roads, with views opening up over vineyard hills and country homesteads. Two steep climbs await along the way, but otherwise the ride is pleasant and not technically demanding. Just right for a weekend outing.
Points along the route
Lenart
0 km
Lenart
We begin the cycling route in Lenart, heading north through Zgornje Žerjavce and Žice. The ride follows a cycling path that is partially physically separated from the road. Along the way, we are accompanied by views of fields and natural landscapes.
Sveta Ana
After a longer climb, we reach Sv. Ana, the easternmost point of the route and its highest elevation. The village centre is well maintained, and above it on a hill stands the Baroque Church of St. Anne, built between 1693 and 1705. On clear days, the ridge offers views stretching across Pohorje all the way to the nearby Austrian border. It is well worth pausing here for a moment.
Luteranski britof
Not far from Sv. Ana stands an unusual and little-known landmark, the Evangelical cemetery in Zgornja Ščavnica, known locally as the “Luteranski britof”. It was established in 1931, when Štefan Kočar donated land to the Evangelical community so its members could be buried with dignity. Fifteen graves with iron and stone markers have been preserved, and beside them stand a wooden crucifix and a bell tower.
Žitence
15 km
Descent through Gasteraj
From the ridge the route leads us past Ledinek and begins to descend gradually. Žitence follows, then Zgornji and Srednji Gasteraj. The typical landscape of Slovenske gorice opens up, with vineyards on the slopes and scattered farms along the ridges.
Jurovski Dol
The descent brings us to Jurovski Dol, a quiet village with rich heritage. At its centre stands the Gothic church of St. George, first mentioned in records as early as 1324, with the present building dating from 1501. The Renaissance portal catches the eye, while inside two baroque chapels hold altars by the renowned sculptor Jožef Holzinger.
Finish
From Jurovski Dol the route turns east, and after a short flat section brings us back to Lenart, where we finish our ride.
End of the route
We return to the starting point. Before leaving, we can enjoy a snack or a coffee in the town centre, or explore the nearby wine cellars and local homesteads.
Along the way
Towns and villages
Lenart (0 km), Zgornji Žerjavci (2 km), Krivi Vrh (8 km), Kremberk (9 km), Sveta Ana (9 km), Zgornja Ščavnica (10 km), Ledinek (15 km), Žitence (15 km), Spodnja Velka (17 km), Zgornji Gasteraj (19 km), Malna (22 km), Jurovski Dol (23 km)
Food and drink
- Pri Fridi Educational Farm (7 km from the start): The organic and educational farm of the Ruhitel family from Zgornja Ročica is known for felting with natural wool, for which the owner Franc Ruhitel received the official title of a certified master craftsman. In the “Heritage” area, visitors are shown live demonstrations of traditional flax processing and self-sufficient farm life.
- Hafner Winery (8 km from the start): The Hafner family winery in the hamlet of Krivi Vrh produces around 30,000 bottles of premium wines each year from its own vineyards on the sunny slopes of Sveta Ana. A special feature of their cellar is the indigenous Ranina grape variety, which grows only in a very narrow area of the Slovenske gorice between Lenart and Apače and is cultivated by only a few winemakers.
- Gostilna Eder (9 km from the start): The inn in the centre of Sveta Ana has been operating since 1949, and the Eder family has been running it across three generations since 1972. It offers traditional Slovenian cuisine, grilled dishes, and its own wines from two hectares of home vineyards.
- Čajnica Kolarič (9 km from the start): The Kolarič family tea house is set in a herbal earth cellar in the middle of a large garden filled with numerous medicinal and aromatic plants. Visitors are shown the processes of harvesting and drying herbs, and are offered freshly prepared teas, tinctures, syrups, and ointments.
- Kapl Homestead (16 km from the start): In the vineyards of Dražni Vrh stands a 170-year-old traditional wooden farmhouse (cimprača), protected as an ethnological monument. At the Kapl family farm, they still bake the traditional Slovenske gorice layered cake (gibanica) according to an old recipe, and they also offer baking workshops for visitors.
- Gostilna Špindler (23 km from the start): Gostilna Špindler sits in the old market centre of Jurovski Dol, next to the Church of St George. It serves daily set lunches and à la carte dishes, and also caters to private groups.
Water and rest
- E-bike charging station (9 km from the start): E-bike charging station where you can recharge your battery during a stop.
- E-bike charging station (23 km from the start): E-bike charging station where you can recharge your battery during a stop.
- E-bike charging station (23 km from the start): E-bike charging station where you can recharge your battery during a stop.
Sights
- Church of St. Leonard (0 km from the start): The Church of St. Leonard, which gave the town its name, was first recorded in 1196, while the present Late Gothic building dates from 1515–1518. The veneration of St. Leonard — patron of livestock and liberator of prisoners — was most likely brought here by the carters who drove their horse teams along the old trade route from Pannonia to Trieste.
- Sveta Ana (market town centre, viewpoint) (9 km from the start): Sveta Ana is located on a hill at the northern edge of the Slovenske gorice and is known as one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the region. From the hill near the historic town centre and the Baroque Church of St. Anne, the view on clear days opens up towards the Pohorje Mountains and all the way to the nearby Austrian border.
- Luteranski britof Evangelical Cemetery (12 km from the start): A hidden landmark just a short distance from Sveta Ana. The Evangelical cemetery in Zgornja Ščavnica was established in 1931, when Štefan Kočar donated land to the Lutheran community so that they could bury their deceased with dignity. Fifteen graves with iron and stone tombstones have been preserved, and a wooden crucifix and a bell tower stand beside them.
- Jurovski Dol (23 km from the start): Jurovski Dol is a picturesque settlement in the heart of the Slovenske gorice, where the Baroque Church of St. George rises among hilly vineyards and orchards; the place is known for its rich cultural heritage, genuine Štajerska hospitality, and tranquillity, complemented by local events and a wine-growing tradition.