Trekking in Slovenia - the Slovene High Level Route - Europe

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Reviews
• Further Reading

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Day 1
Spodnje Radvanje in Maribor to
Mariborska koca

Distance              8km
Time                    3hr
Grade                  1
Height gained     830m
Height lost          40m
Stamp                 Mariborska koca

The first day is short, to allow time to get to Maribor. The route leaves the city behind and climbs up through the quiet forest onto the Pohorje platea

Maribor (www.maribor-pohorje.si) is a compact city situated on both banks of the River Drava. It is a university town, which gives it a young and vibrant feel, and it also has an interesting old quarter and pleasant walks along the banks of the river. Maribor is known for several theatre and music festivals, and the surrounding hills are noted wine-growing areas. There is plenty of accommodation at all standards, and Maribor is easy to reach by bus or train from Ljubljana. You can also fly to Graz in Austria (served by Ryanair from Stansted) and take a train to Maribor.

A noticeboard and waymark declare the start of the Slovenska Planinska Pot. Walk along the narrow road heading towards the broad, forested ridge of the Pohorje plateau, with the Maribor ski slopes further to the right. After 300m reach a junction of paths, and follow signs for Mariborska koca, almost immediately entering the trees on the wooded shoulder. In less than 100m reach another junction and bear left, following waymarks.

After about 500m skirt a small vineyard, and within a few metres join a narrow road and continue up it a short distance to a junction. Mariborska koca is signed straight on, via the Južna pot, but turn right onto a rough track, also signed for the koca and Route 1, named the Šumljakova pot. The way follows a series of deep, rutted troughs, so you may find it preferable to continue on top of the banks, particularly in wet weather when the troughs act as drainage channels.

Continue to ascend through tall beech trees, following waymarks carefully where the route meets other tracks. After about 1hr 50min, pass through an opening in the ski fence and continue up the left side of the piste on a gravel track to reach a group of wooden holiday chalets. Bear right, following the line of a small ski tow to reach the Hotel Bellevue complex and ski station, where there are good views of Maribor, now far below.

Walk past the hotel to the end of the tarmac road, and follow a sign for Mariborska koca 45min. The path initially runs alongside the road, on its right side, for a short distance, and then enters the woods. After about 10min or so the track divides, but continue to follow signs bearing left for the koca. The forest is a mixture of spruce and beech, while startlingly blue gentians line the path.

In another 300m continue straight on at a fork, and pass behind a big apartment building with the main road below it. Soon the path reaches the road, and for a short while runs parallel to it, passing some small, pretty weekend cottages, before veering off once more into the wood.  Eventually the path joins a minor road that you follow between houses for a short distance to a junction. Turn right, and in less than 5min reach Mariborska koca (1068m) o.

Mariborska koca is open all year round, every day except Wednesdays. It has toilets and a washroom and shower with hot and cold running water.