R15 - Celje and Lake Šmartno

ALL TOURS      ROAD CYCLING      GRAVEL BIKING      MOUNTAIN BIKING      FAMILY CYCLING      

Lake Šmartno. Photography: Andrej Tarfila, www.slovenia.info
Lake Šmartno. Photography: Andrej Tarfila, www.slovenia.info
Lake Šmartno. Photography: Dražem Štader, www.slovenia.info
Lake Šmartno. Photography: Matjaž Jambriško, www.slovenia.info
Lake Šmartno. Photography: Jošt Gantar, www.slovenia.info
Celje Basin. Photography: Dražen Štader, www.slovenia.info
Celje Castle. Photography: Jošt Gantar, www.slovenia.info
Celje. Photography: Jošt Gantar, www.slovenia.info
Celje. Photography: Jošt Gantar, www.slovenia.info

Celje and Lake Šmartno

We begin the route at Hotel Grof, heading toward Tabor. There, we turn left toward Ojstriška Vas. The road then leads us to the regional road 447, where we turn right toward Grajska Vas. The picturesque landscape and relatively flat path take us past Prebold, through Šešče pri Preboldu, and across Griže, following quiet side roads along the Savinja River to Celje. We cross the bridge on Čopova Street and continue toward Ostrožno. At the roundabout before the Koprivnica River, we take the first exit and continue to the second roundabout, where we take the third exit toward Šmartno v Rožni dolini. We ride past Pušn Šank, through Runtole, near Lake Šmartno. Here, we recommend a short break to enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. We then continue through Brezovo toward Šmartno v Rožni dolini and on to Lopata, where we turn right for Velika Pirešica. The relatively flat path takes us through Ložnica pri Žalcu, Gotovlje, Polzela, and Braslovče, finishing the route with a refreshment at the Grof restaurant.

Sights

Itinerary: Vransko - Tabor - Ojstriška vas - Prebold - Šešče pri Preboldu - Griže - Celje - Lake Šmartno - Brezova - Šmartno v Rožni dolini - Lopata - Velika Pirešica - Ložnica pri Žalcu - Gotovlje - Polzela - Braslovče - Lake Žovnek - Vransko
Length: 73 km
Elevation gain: 650 m
Time: 3 h
Terrain: Valley and Hills
Surface type: 73 km asphalt
Suitable for road cyclists
Difficulty level: Hard
Maximum incline: 6 %

Criteria of the difficulty level of cycling routes

 Criteria for family cycling

Easy

You are a family with small children who can already cycle on their own. You cycle mostly on a plain with short gentle inclines.

Normal

You are a family with young children, who cycle on diverse terrain with small climbs and descents.

 Criteria for road cycling

Easy

You are in a poor shape and cycle up to twice a week. You cycle on slightly diverse terrain with smaller climbs and descents.

Normal

You are in a moderate shape and exercise more than 3x weekly. You cycle on hilly terrain with medium length climbs and descents.

Hard

You are in a good shape and exercise regularly. You cycle on a hilly terrain and can spend multiple hours on a bicycle.

Expert

You are in an excellent shape and spend a lot of time exercising. You cycle on a hilly terrain with steep inclines and descents.

 Criteria for mountain cycling

Easy

You are in a poor shape and cycle up to twice a week. You cycle on slightly diverse terrain with smaller climbs and descents.

Normal

You are in a moderate shape and exercise more than 3x weekly. You cycle on hilly terrain with medium length climbs and descents.

Hard

You are in a good shape and exercise regularly. You cycle on a hilly terrain and can spend multiple hours on a bicycle.

Expert

You are in an excellent shape and spend a lot of time exercising. You cycle on a hilly terrain with steep inclines and descents.

Free cycling maps are available at Hotel Grof and you can also load gpx on you navigation device free of charge at the hotel Reception.