Home › All routes › Visit Gorice - Lenart, Negova Castle
Visit Gorice - Lenart, Negova Castle
Cycling route · Styria · Trekking, Road
- Length
- 39 km
- Elevation gain
- 500 m
- Duration
- ~3 h
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Region
- Styria
- Route type
- Trekking, Road
- Surface
- asphalt 38 km · gravel 1 km
- Suitable for
- E-bike, MTB, Gravel, Trekking, Road bike
An undulating road route that links historically rich corners of the central Slovenske gorice. It passes the Baroque church at Sveta Ana, the imposing Negova Castle and the idyllic Lake Negova. At the heart of the loop lies the landscape where, in 1811, the Negova helmets were discovered in nearby Ženjak, one of the most important prehistoric finds on Slovenian soil. The climbs are moderate and nicely spaced, which makes the route a good fit for recreational cyclists who enjoy quiet country roads.
Points along the route
Lenart
0 km
Start
We set off from Lenart heading east through Zgornji Porčič. The first few kilometres set the tone for the route. Quiet side roads run between vineyard hills, with views opening up around almost every bend.
Sveta Trojica and Osek
After a few kilometres we approach Sveta Trojica, known for its monastery and church with three distinctive bell towers, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in northeastern Slovenia. The route continues through the village of Osek, where the bell tower of a small Holy Trinity chapel stands next to the fire station.
Cogetinci and Kmetija Firbas
From Osek the route crosses the hills to the small village of Cogetinci, home to the Firbas farm. The Firbas family serves traditional home cooking in an authentic farmhouse setting.
Lake Negova
14 km
Lake Negova and Žigrt’s Oak
The route continues north and descends to Lake Negova. This is one of three surviving castle ponds, of which there were once eleven. Water chestnut and white water lily grow in the lake, which is also popular with anglers. Right on the shore stands the mighty Žigrt oak, more than 250 years old.
Negova
17 km
Negova Castle
Negova Castle was first mentioned in written sources in 1425. For four centuries, it was owned by the Trauttmansdorff counts, and today it is protected as a cultural monument of national importance. In front of the castle, a well-kept herb garden invites visitors to pause for a short break. Inside the castle exhibition, one of the famous Negova helmets can be seen. In 1811, in nearby Ženjak (today part of Benedikt) the farmer Jurij Slaček unearthed as many as 26 such helmets while ploughing his field.
Climb towards Sveta Ana
We cycle westward and gradually climb. The route winds through Radvenci, past Spodnja Bačkova and Zagajski Vrh. A long ascent to Sv. Ana follows, the highest point of the loop. Along the way, views open up toward Pomurje and the hills on the Austrian side.
Descent back to Lenart
From Sv. Ana we descend through Kremberk, Žice and Zgornji Žerjavci back to Lenart. The ride is relaxed and mostly slightly downhill. The loop closes at the starting point.
End of the route
The loop closes in Lenart, where it began. Before heading home you can stop for coffee or lunch in the centre, or set off to explore another of the cycling routes through Slovenske gorice.