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Visit Gorice - Lenart, Negova Castle
Cycling route · Štajerska (Slovenian Styria) · Trekking, Road
- Length
- 39 km
- Elevation gain
- 500 m
- Duration
- ~3 h
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Region
- Štajerska (Slovenian 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.
Along the way
Towns and villages
Lenart (0 km), Zgornji Porčič (3 km), Sveta Trojica (4 km), Osek (8 km), Brengova (9 km), Cogetinci (10 km), Negova (17 km), Ihova (21 km), Drvanja (24 km), Zgornja Ščavnica (29 km), Kremberk (30 km), Zgornji Žerjavci (37 km)
Food and drink
- Breznik Tourist Farm (10 km from the start): The Breznik tourist farm in Komarnica near Cerkvenjak has redirected the former farm into tourism with viticulture and its own wine cellar. In a traditional, stone-built setting, visitors are offered wine presentations and home-style hospitality.
- Firbas Homestead (12 km from the start): The Firbas Homestead in the village of Cogetinci was chosen as the best tourist farm in Slovenia in 2012 and has been admitted to the European Houses with Tradition network. It is renowned for its own Williams pear brandy from the family orchard, and guests are also served homemade dishes.
- Gostilna Eder (30 km from the start): The inn in the centre of Sv. Ana has been operating since 1949, and the Eder family has run it in the third generation since 1972. It offers traditional Slovenske gorice cuisine, grilled dishes, and its own wines from two hectares of family vineyards.
Water and rest
- E-bike charging station (4 km from the start): E-bike charging station where you can recharge your battery during a stop.
- E-bike charging station (28 km from the start): E-bike charging station where you can recharge your battery during a stop.
- E-bike charging station (30 km from the start): E-bike charging station where you can recharge your battery during a stop.
- E-bike charging station (30 km from the start): E-bike charging station where you can recharge your battery during a stop.
Sights
- Žigrt's Oak (13 km from the start): The mighty oak right by the shore of Lake Negova is over 250 years old, and its circumference measures a full 628 centimetres. It is considered one of the most recognisable natural landmarks of the Negova Landscape Park.
- Negova (17 km from the start): The settlement of Negova is first mentioned between 1106 and 1124 as Negoinezelo and got its name after the medieval nobleman Negoj. The famous Negova helmets — a Hallstatt-era find of 26 bronze helmets unearthed in 1811, which put the village on the world archaeological map — are also named after him.
- Negova Castle (17 km from the start): Negova Castle is first mentioned in surviving records in 1425 and was owned by the Counts of Trauttmansdorff from 1542 until the end of the Second World War. Today it has the status of a cultural monument of national importance, and an extensive herb garden has been laid out within its walls.
- Sveta Ana (town centre, viewpoint) (30 km from the start): Sveta Ana lies on a hill at the northern edge of the Slovenske gorice and is known as one of the finest viewpoints in the region. From the hill by the town centre and the Baroque Church of St. Anne, in clear weather the view opens onto Pohorje and all the way to the nearby Austrian border.