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Hotel Arena - Bellevue
Cycling route · Štajerska (Slovenian Styria) · Gravel, MTB
- Length
- 30 km
- Elevation gain
- 860 m
- Duration
- ~2,5 h
- Difficulty
- hard
- Region
- Štajerska (Slovenian Styria)
- Route type
- Gravel, MTB
- Surface
- asphalt 17 km · gravel 13 km
- Suitable for
- E-bike, MTB, Gravel
The route climbs from Hotel Arena at the foot of Pohorje to the summit, then descends along the southern side of the ridge towards Pivola. Above the last houses, the climb through Kordek continues on firm gravel, following a steady gradient up to Bellevue. From here, views open across Maribor and the Drava Plain, followed by a long descent through the forests above Hoče-Pohorje. The loop returns to Hotel Arena via Pivola and Razvanje.
Points along the route
Hotel Arena
0 km
Snežni stadion
We start the route after breakfast at Hotel Arena, next to Snežni Stadion. The route passes the lower station of the cable car and continues through a small wooded area below the ski slopes. After a gentle opening section, the road begins to climb after a few hundred metres.
Kordek
The climb follows an asphalt road through Kordek, one of the local routes up Pohorje from the Maribor side. Houses and farms line the road, with views opening northwards towards Maribor and the Drava Valley.
Markovo
Beyond the last houses, the asphalt gives way to a well-maintained gravel road. The gradient remains steady as the route continues through beech and spruce forest. This is the longest gravel section of the route and is largely free of traffic.
Šani’s Bench
At around 800 metres above sea level, Šani’s Bench stands beside the forest road, offering the final resting point before the summit. From here, views open towards the valley, while a dense network of forest roads spreads across the northern slopes of Pohorje.
Church of St. Bolfenk
Just below the summit stands the Church of St. Bolfenk, one of the oldest surviving buildings on Pohorje.
Bellevue
12 km
Bellevue – Upper Cable Car Station
At around 1,050 metres above sea level, the upper cable car station marks the highest point of the route. The views stretch across Maribor and the Drava Plain towards Kozjak and the Slovenske Gorice hills. The area is also lively with mountain bikers, as Bike Park Pohorje is considered one of the best bike parks in Slovenia.
Start of the Descent
The descent begins on a gravel forest road. The upper section is more rutted and technically demanding due to tracks left by forestry machinery, so it is more enjoyable on a mountain bike.
Hoče Hunting Lodge
A hunting lodge stands beside the road across Hočko Pohorje. Here, the forest begins to open up into clearings and scattered farms. This section is fast and flowing, with no significant technical difficulties.
Pivola and the Botanical Garden
At Pivola, the route turns onto a tree-lined avenue beside the Botanical Garden of the University of Maribor. From here onwards, the route follows the road without a dedicated cycle lane.
Razvanje and Radvanje
Through Razvanje and Radvanje, we return towards the foot of Pohorje along a local road. For most of this section, the route follows a cycle path.
Unwind at the hotel
We finish the loop in the spa at Hotel Arena, where saunas, pools and sports massage await after the ride.
The route combines a climb onto Pohorje, a long gravel section across the northern slope and a beautiful descent down the southern side of the ridge. The climb is steady and technically easy, while the upper part of the descent is more demanding because of the rutted surface. In total, the ride gains around 840 metres of elevation.
Along the way
Towns and villages
Pekre (1 km), Hrastje (3 km), Hočko Pohorje (15 km), Pivola (21 km), Razvanje (24 km), Maribor (27 km)
Food and drink
- La Cantina (0 km from the start): The restaurant is located next to the lower cable car station, just a few hundred metres from the start of the route. It specialises in pizza and Italian cuisine and has a large outdoor terrace, making it a convenient stop for cyclists.
- Pohorska kavarna (29 km from the start): The café beneath the cable car station is one of the longest-established places to eat and drink in this part of Pohorje. It is particularly known for its desserts, making it a great place to round off a day out.
Water and rest
- Šanijeva klop (9 km from the start): Šanijeva klopca is a popular resting spot beside the forest road at around 800 metres above sea level, on the climb from Maribor towards the summit of Pohorje. From here, the forest opens up to views across the valley.
Sights
- Hotel Arena (0 km from the start): The hotel is located at the foot of Pohorje, next to the Snow Stadium, and serves as a starting point for several cycling and hiking routes. In addition to accommodation, it offers saunas and a wellness area, ideal for relaxing and recovering after a ride.
- Snow Stadium (0 km from the start): The Snow Stadium at the foot of Pohorje is Maribor’s best-known ski venue and hosts the Golden Fox, a women’s Alpine Ski World Cup event. In summer, it serves as a starting point for cycling and hiking trails into the Pohorje hills.
- Church of St Bolfenk (12 km from the start): The Church of St Bolfenk on the Pohorje ridge is a notable example of late Gothic architecture. The present building was constructed around 1500 on the site of an earlier chapel and now serves as an information point.
- Pohorje Cable Car (12 km from the start): The cable car connects the foot of Pohorje with the Bellevue area, covering around 700 metres of elevation gain. It operates every hour on the hour from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday to Sunday.
- Pohorski dvor (22 km from the start): Pohorski Dvor, a manor house above Pivola, is now home to the University of Maribor’s Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The botanical garden begins next to the manor and is reached via a lime-tree avenue.
- Botanical Garden of the University of Maribor (23 km from the start): With eight hectares of planted grounds, the Botanical Garden of the University of Maribor is the largest botanical garden in Slovenia. It serves as an educational and research centre of the university and features a variety of plant collections, as well as an archaeological trail through an area of prehistoric burial mounds.