R09 - Lower and Upper Savinja Valley

ALL TOURS      ROAD CYCLING      GRAVEL BIKING      MOUNTAIN BIKING      FAMILY CYCLING      

Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Roadbike Holidays - Tobias Köhler
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Nea Culpa, www.slovenia.info
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Miran Orožim, www.slovenia.info
Žovnek Castle. Photography: Gašper Bizjak, www.visitbraslovce.com
Lake Žovnek
Towards Prebold
Komenda Castle, Polzela. Photography: TIC Polzela, www.tic-polzela.si
Šenek Manor, Polzela. Photography: TIC Polzela, www.tic-polzela.si
Surroundings of Polzela and Oljka Mountain. Photography: TIC Polzela, www.tic-polzela.si
Mozirski gaj Gardeners’ Park. Photography: Visit Savinjska, www.visitsavinjska.com
Mozirski gaj Gardeners’ Park. Photography: Mozirski gaj, www.mozirskigaj.com
Golte Cable Car
Descent towards Vransko
Vransko
Vransko
Schwentner House, Vransko
Vransko Motorcycle Museum

Scenic Lower and Upper Savinja Valley

We start our day at Hotel Grof and cycle along scenic, hilly local roads past Lake Žovnek towards Braslovče. When we arrive to Braslovče we continue towards Parižlje and accross Savinja River to Polzela. We turn left and continue cycling upstream along Savinja River towards Šmartno ob Paki. As we arrive to Skorno we continue right along Paka River to Florjan where we turn left towards Bele vode and Lepa Njiva. We start our first longer descent towards Mozirje and Mozirski gaj Gardeners’ Park. In Mozirje we follow the signs towards Golte, but we turn left towards Rečica ob Savinji just before the Golte cable car. As we arrive to Spodnja Rečica we cross Savinja River once again and continue cycling towards Trnovo and Šmartno ob Dreto followed by the longest climb of the day towards Lipa pass. Once we reach the pass we start descending towards Vransko and Hotel Grof. 

Sights

Itinerary: Vransko - Stopnik - Lake Žovnek - Rakovlje - Parižlje - Polzela - Šmartno ob Paki - Paška vas - Skorno - Florjan - Lepa Njiva - Mozirje - Brezje - Rečica ob Savinji - Trnovec - Brdo - Šmartno ob Dreti - Rovt pod Menino - Lipa - Vransko
Length: 68 km
Elevation gain: 1020 m
Time: 3 h
Terrain: Valley and hills
Surface type: 68 km Asphalt
Suitable for road cyclists
Difficulty level: Hard
Maximum incline: 10 %

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.