ACTIVELY EXPLORE THE SURROUNDINGS OF PODSREDA CASTLE
The most beautiful hiking, walking, and cycling trails around the castle
Kozjansko is crisscrossed with hiking and cycling trails that invite to active experiences. A rich selection of thematically interesting and diverse trails will thrill every hiking or cycling enthusiast and lover of fun gatherings in beautiful nature, who believes that life is better when at least partly spent in hiking boots or on a bike.
Castle Trail Podsreda
The 2.5 km long trail allows exploring the exceptional biodiversity and rich cultural heritage as well as other attractions of the surroundings. The trail is not demanding and is suitable for all generations, including families with children.
The Life Naturaviva project is responsible for the maintenance and marking of the Castle Trail Podsreda since October 2019.
- Trail length: 2.5 km
- Difficulty: easy
- Footwear: lightweight hiking shoes
- Lowest elevation: 245 m (Podsreda square)
- Highest elevation: 475 m (Podsreda Castle)
ACCESS BY CAR OR BIKE – For the location of the parking lot for the short Vetrnik hiking loop – CLICK HERE.
The Wind Harp at Vetrnik
A Walk Through the Bistrica Gorge
- Difficulty: Walk
- Equipment: Standard hiking gear
- Altitude: 222 m (Starting altitude: 204 m, Elevation gain: 18 m)
- Duration: Approximately 30 minutes of moderate walking on a gentle gravel path, part of which runs along the Bistrica River
- Season: All seasons
- Descent: Return to the starting point along the same path
- Height: 386 m (Starting elevation: 241 m, Elevation difference: 145 m)
- Time: The circular route will take us approximately one hour to walk.
Circular Route through Gruska Valley
- Difficulty: Easy marked trail
- Equipment: Standard hiking gear
- Altitude: 349 m – maximum altitude, 283 m – minimum altitude (Starting elevation: 330 m, Elevation difference: 67 m)
- Times: Starting point – Gruska Cave 25 minutes
- Gruska Cave from the eponymous bus station – for GPS track, gallery CLICK HERE
- Season: All seasons
Circular Route along Dragon's Back over Bredič
The trail is circular and leads from Kozje, over Bredič, and back along Bistri Graben to Kozje. Its endearing name hints at the ancient legend of the Kozje dragon, and with a little imagination, hikers feel as though they are ascending along the serrated ridge of a giant dragon during the walk.
The trail is maintained and organized, slightly more demanding in certain places, but it offers an unforgettable and unique hiking experience that will take approximately four hours.
- Difficulty: Easy marked trail
- Equipment: Standard hiking gear
- Elevation difference: 418 m
- Starting point: Kozje, 276 m. Exit the Ljubljana-Maribor motorway at the Celje or Dramlje exit, then proceed through Šentjur, Šmarje pri Jelšah to Podčetrtek or Prelasko, where you reach Buče in Kozje. WGS84: N 46.07297°, E 15.55478°
- Time: Starting point-Bredič 2 h, descent 2 h, total 4 h
- Season: All seasons
- Maps: Posavje Hills, Cartography, 1:75,000; Kozje, Cartography, 1:35,000
Walk to the Lourdes Cave
The Trail of Four Bohor Waterfalls
- Starting and ending point: Jablance
- Stage length: 11.98 km
- Walking time: Five hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Stage map with description: CLICK.
Footpath from Kozje to Vetrnik
There is also a forest footpath leading to the top of Vetrnik hill, which starts in Kozje (near the parish church of the Assumption of Mary in the Kozje square), and at the top, it joins the Nature Trail Travnik and the Zasavje Mountain Trail. The path is marked with directional arrows, and when it joins the Nature Trail Travnik, it is also marked with explanatory boards.
The ascent to Vetrnik is among the more popular and sought-after hiking destinations, also because of the wind harp.
- Trail length: Starting point-Vetrnik (50 min), descent (40 min), total 1.30 hours (season: all seasons)
- Difficulty: Easy marked trail
- Equipment: Standard hiking gear
- Elevation gain: 433 m
- Starting point: Kozje, WGS84: N 46.07297°, E 15.55478°
- Guides: Franci Zidar with collaborators: Guide to the educational path Vetrnik, Kozjansko Park, 2003; Marjan Pergar: Posavje Hills. PZS, 2004
Nature Trail Travnik
- Trail length: 1.4 km, circular (viewing time: 1 hour)
- Marking: 10 content points equipped with informational and directional signs
- Elevation difference: 615 m above sea level – lowest point, 708 m above sea level – highest point
- Difficulty: suitable for visitors with average physical abilities
- GPS coordinates of the starting point: x=542 660, y=101 757
- Access by car: from Kozje via Bistri graben to Vetrnik or from Podsreda and Gorjan to Vetrnik
- Guide and brochure: CLICK HERE – Educational Path Vetrnik
- Guidance: Kozjansko Park, Podsreda 45, Podsreda, tel. 03 800 7100.
From Podsreda along the Stations of the Cross to Stare Gore
Drive to Bistrica ob Sotli, then continue towards Podsreda. At the intersection before Podsreda, continue towards Kozje. After about 200 meters, park in the parking lot next to the Podsreda Community Center on the right side of the road.
Circular Route to Kozje Castle or Drachenburg
- Starting point: Kozje (270 m)
- 07288°N 15.55377°E
- Walking time: 20 min
- Difficulty: partially demanding marked trail
- Elevation difference: 90 m
Hiking Trail Pilštanj and Water Educational Path Lesično
- Length of the trail: 4 km (Town Trail – 500m, Castle Trail – 600 m, Path to Vino Gora – 3000 m)
- Time required for viewing: 2 hours
- Marking: informative and directional signs. Click for MAP OF THE ROUTE.
- Elevation difference: 380 m above sea level – lowest point, 519 m above sea level – highest point
- Difficulty: suitable for visitors with average physical abilities
- Starting point of the trail: Pilštanj square
- GPS coordinates of the starting point of the trail: x = 540 918, y = 106 307
Geological Educational Trail Olimje
- Trail Length: 10 km.
- Time Required for Viewing: 4 to 6 hours, with three possible partial circular routes lasting 1 to 2 hours each.
- Marking: 21 content points equipped with informative and directional signs.
- Elevation Difference: 230 m above sea level – lowest point, 420 m above sea level – highest point.
- Difficulty: Suitable for visitors with average physical abilities.
- Trail Start: Slake near Olimje, at the abandoned mine shaft, about 1 km from Podčetrtek towards Olimje, turn right (at the Church of the Virgin Mary on Pesek). Click for TRAIL MAP.
- GPS Coordinates of the Trail Start: x=545 212, y=111 970.
- Guidebook and Brochure: On the Geological Educational Trail to Rudnica and Virštanj.
- Guidance: Kozjanski Park, Podsreda 45, Podsreda, tel. 03 800 7100.
Hike to the Tower of Health and Joy on Rudnica
For more information about maintained walking paths and ideas for strolling around the castle surroundings, visit the Kozjansko Park website.
EXPLORING THE VICINITY OF THE CASTLE BY BICYCLE
Cycling Exploration of Kozjansko Regional Park
RENTING E-BIKES AT THE CASTLE AND IDEAS FOR CYCLING ROUTES
At Podsreda Castle, we offer the opportunity to rent electric bikes.
The bikes available include mountain bikes (for both men and women) and city or trekking bikes (for both men and women).
The rental fee for a bike is €20.00 per day.
The rental fee for guests of the Rooms and Apartments at Podsreda Castle is €15.00/day.
HORSEBACK ADVENTURES IN THE KOZJANSKO HILLS
The Kozjansko hills, green meadows, and fresh air – treasures that adorn the surroundings of Podsreda Castle. And there’s no better way to experience them than in the saddle, accompanied by the joyful sounds of horses’ hooves.
At Rubin’s Stable, you have the opportunity to fully experience all the beauties of the landscape on the backs of horses and ponies.
The stable offers a diverse range of activities suitable for all ages and experience levels: pony riding, guided trail rides, pony carriage rides, pony-themed birthday parties.
And best of all, Rubin’s Stable is just a few minutes’ drive from Podsreda Castle. By arrangement, you can go horseback riding or carriage driving and then visit the stunning Podsreda Castle.
Don’t miss the opportunity to spend time in nature, explore the Kozjansko hills on horseback, and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
ADDITIONAL SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Within the Kozje Sports Park, there’s an outdoor fitness area set up, providing a safe, functional, and attractive venue for sports enthusiasts who prefer outdoor workouts. Adjacent to this, you’ll find the “Be fit, be smart” playground equipped with street workout amenities and a children’s climbing wall.
Located near the Kozjanski Dvor Inn in Kozje, there’s an opportunity for fishing in their pond, which hosts various fish species including carp, grass carp, pike, and more.
During the summer months, in the heart of Kozje along the Bistrica River, a dam is constructed, creating a delightful natural swimming spot suitable even for our furry friends. This offers a refreshing option for relaxation and immersing oneself in natural waters.
Nestled amidst the scenic landscape along the Sotla River in the village of Olimje, lies the Amon Olimje Golf Course boasting nine holes. Here, you can indulge in the game of golf, soaking up a harmonious blend of serene outdoor living and finely tuned bodily movements.
KOZJANSKO, LAND OF EXPERIENCES
"Discover, Experience, Fall in Love"
INTERACTIVE MAP OF THE SURROUNDING AREA
MORE IDEAS AND TIPS
FOR MORE IDEAS AND TIPS
follow the links below to useful websites:
Website of one of the largest and oldest regional parks in Slovenia
Website of the Tourist Information Centre Podčetrtek, Bistrica ob Sotli and Kozje
Welcome to Obsotelje and Kozjansko – Municipalities of Šmarje pri Jelšah, Rogaška Slatina, Rogatec, Podčetrtek and Kozje
Sevnica – a treasure trove of experiences!
Čatež and Brežice – a green world at the confluence of the Sava and Krka rivers, thermal springs, vineyards and castles – Brežice, many call it the place where different worlds meet.
To Krško for the energy of flavours, wine, nature and culture!
POSAVJE – FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES
Posavje is the sleeping princess of Slovenian tourism.