Home › All routes › Radvanje - Bellevue - Areh - Black Lake
Radvanje - Bellevue - Areh - Black Lake
Cycling route · Styria · MTB
- Length
- 64 km
- Elevation gain
- 1650 m
- Duration
- ~5 h
- Difficulty
- hard
- Region
- Styria
- Route type
- MTB
- Surface
- asphalt 15 km · gravel 49 km
- Suitable for
- E-bike, MTB, Gravel
This circular route through the Pohorje hills takes you past some of the area’s most recognisable natural landmarks and viewpoints. From Pekre, the road climbs steadily and steeply towards Bellevue, where you are rewarded with sweeping views over Maribor and, on a clear day, as far as Austria. From there, the route follows forest gravel roads past Areh and the Šumik Nature Reserve before reaching Črno jezero (Black Lake) at Osankarica. The surface is mostly easy gravel, with a few rougher sections along the way. The route is particularly well suited to hot summer days, as temperatures in the Pohorje hills are typically several degrees lower than in the valley.
Points along the route
Radvanje
0 km
Lower Pohorje Cable Car Station
The ride starts in the car park below the cable car. We head through the small patch of woodland towards Pekre, gradually warming up before the long climb into the hills.
Climb above Radvanje
The route begins climbing on asphalt. Once we pass the houses, the views open up towards the wooded slopes of Pohorje, which will accompany us for the next few hours.
Markovo
3 km
Šani’s Bench
A long, shaded section with a steady gradient follows. Around three-quarters of the way up the climb, we reach Šani’s Bench, a popular resting spot for cyclists and hikers. It is a good place to take a short break.
Bellevue
11 km
Views over Maribor
After more than an hour of climbing, the landscape opens up to reveal views over Maribor and the Drava Plain. On a clear day, you can see as far as Austria. There is a drinking fountain above the cable car station, available during the warmer months, so this is a good place to refill your bottles.
Areh
18 km
Ruška Hut
We continue along forest roads towards Areh and Ruška Hut, the oldest mountain hut in the Pohorje hills. There is a drinking fountain next to the hut, available during the summer season. As this is the last drinking fountain on the route, it is a good idea to top up your bottles here.
Šumik Primeval Forest
A short descent brings us to the Šumik Nature Reserve, home to the only remaining primeval forest in Pohorje. The Veliki Šumik and Mali Šumik waterfalls lie deeper in the gorge and can only be reached via a demanding hiking trail, so they are best saved for another visit.
Črno jezero (Black Lake)
30 km
Osankarica
The gravel road takes us to the former hut Dom na Osankarici. Črno jezero is a short walk away, reached via a wooden walkway across the marsh and taking around ten minutes.
Back Towards Areh
The paved road follows the ridge. Traffic is light, making for relaxed riding. The asphalt then gives way to a slightly rougher gravel section that takes us back to Areh.
Forest roads lead us through Markovo and back to the lower cable car station where we started. The descent is long, fast and shaded.
To finish the ride, treat yourself to an ice cream at Paradice or stop for lunch at La Cantina.