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Radvanje - Bellevue - Areh - Black Lake
Cycling route · Štajerska (Slovenian Styria) · MTB
- Length
- 64 km
- Elevation gain
- 1650 m
- Duration
- ~5 h
- Difficulty
- hard
- Region
- Štajerska (Slovenian 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.
Along the way
Towns and villages
Maribor (1 km), Pekre (1 km), Hrastje (2 km), Kot na Pohorju (34 km), Planina pod Šumikom (34 km)
Food and drink
- La Cantina (0 km from the start): A restaurant and pizzeria located right next to the lower Pohorje Cable Car Station.
- Pohorska kavarna (0 km from the start): A café and pastry shop at the foot of Pohorje, offering a wide selection of homemade desserts, ice cream and coffee.
- Ruška Hut (18 km from the start): Ruška Hut is considered the oldest mountain hut in Pohorje. It was burned down by Partisans in 1943 and rebuilt in 1946.
- Hotel Jakec (34 km from the start): Formerly known as Štuhec Lodge, the building is now home to the family-run Hotel Jakec and restaurant.
Sights
- Lower Pohorje Cable Car Station (0 km from the start): The Pohorje Cable Car covers 714 metres of elevation in just ten minutes, taking passengers from 328 m in Radvanje to 1,042 m at Bolfenk.
- Šani’s Bench (8 km from the start): Šani’s Bench stands beside Kordek forest road, one of the best-known cycling routes connecting Radvanje with Pohorje.
- St. Bolfenk Church (11 km from the start): The church was built in 1501. After falling into ruin at the end of the 18th century, its remains served as a shelter for hikers for several decades. The church has since been restored.
- Bike park Pohorje (11 km from the start): The famous downhill course starts at the upper cable car station and has hosted World Cup downhill races since 1999.
- Reški vrh (15 km from the start): At 1,142 m, Reški vrh offers beautiful views over the Drava Valley, Ruše and the Kozjak mountain range.
- St. Areh Church (18 km from the start): The church is dedicated to Emperor Henry II, whose name was transformed into “Areh” in the local Pohorje dialect.
- Veliki Šumik & Mali Šumik Waterfalls (25 km from the start): Veliki Šumik is 24 metres high. Around 400 metres further down the gorge lies Mali Šumik, a 9-metre waterfall.
- Šumik Primeval Forest (25 km from the start): The area was declared a nature reserve in 1967. The primeval forest itself covers around 19 hectares on the steep slopes above the Lobnica River. It is the only primeval forest in Slovenia growing on silicate bedrock.
- Črno jezero (Black Lake) (29 km from the start): Around 150 years ago, Count Windischgrätz had the lake dammed to help transport timber down into the valley. The water is crystal clear, while its dark appearance comes from a thick layer of peat on the lakebed.