SAVINJA VALLEY WEEKEND GRAVEL TOUR - 3 DAYS
Day 1: ARRIVAL TO SLOVENIA, ACCOMMODATION AT BIKE HOTEL GROF AND ČRETA
Arrival to Slovenia (possible transport from Ljubljana or other airports) to the Hotel GROF, your cycling holiday stay. Accommodation in modern and comfortable rooms.
For the first day we suggest a shorter tour to Čreta. Starting at Grof, the flat part of the route leads through the town of Prekopa where you can visit an interesting Fire Brigade Collection at the local fire station. At the Church of St. Martin in Podvrh we turn left and start ascending towards Čreta. We continue ascending and cycling on the gravel road when the view of Žovnek Castle, Lake Žovnek and the whole Lower Savinja Valley opens up. The route leads us past Partisan monuments, burned homestead from NOB (National Liberation), all the way to the top of Čreta. A forest path leads to the Church of Holy Mother of God at Čreta. On the top the view towards plateau, St. Catherine's Church and Zakrajšek's homestead opens up in front of us. From there we follow the asphalt road back to Vransko and Hotel Grof. Leisure time to relax and overnight stay.
Tour data:
Length: 23 km
Elevation gain: 650 m
Time: 2 h
Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road
Day 2: MT. GORA OLJKA AND CELJE
Breakfast at the hotel. Asphalt road first takes us over smaller hills towards Lake Žovnek which is home to many bird species. We follow the road all the way to Spodnje Gorče, to the first section of gravel road which leads us along green hop fields. When we arrive to Parižlje we cross Savinja River for the first time and continue straight towards Polzela, where we turn left and start slowly ascending towards Mt. Gora Oljka. Asphalt road turns into gravel just before the top. At the top which is located at an altitude of 734 m above sea level, near the Church of the Holy Cross, beautiful views of Posavje Hills in the south, Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Savinja Valley in the west, Pohorje and Paški Kozjak in the north and Celje Basin in the east open up in front of us. Mountain hut is located just below the top where you can get some rest or have a snack. When we reach the top we start descending towards Polzela and continue cycling among the hop fields. In Spodnje Grušovlje we cross the highway and follow the road towards Žalec. We continue cycling on local roads and among the hop fields all the way to Celje, where we turn back and continue towards Hotel Grof. We cycle upstream on the left side of Savinja River. Once we reach the suspension bridge we cross Savinja once again and continue cycling on the right side of the river, past Vrbje Pond all the way to Latkova vas where we cross Savinja River for the last time. We cycle past Grajska vas, Ojstriška vas and Pondor settlement all the way to Hotel Grof. Leisure time to relax and overnight stay.
Tour data:
Length: 75 km
Elevation gain: 770 m
Time: 5 h
Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road
Day 3: ČEMŠENIK AND VRHE
Breakfast at the hotel. We start cycling south of Hotel Grof, along Bolska River, on the Žalec 01 local side road. We turn right near the Islander Ranch and continue cycling on gravel road towards Tabor. At St. George's Church in Tabor we turn right towards Loke. At the chapel in Loke settlement we keep right and continue our journey towards Črni vrh. We slowly start ascending. At Črni vrh intersection we continue straight towards Krvavica. Gravel road leads us to Presedlje pass and National Liberation War (NOB) Monument under Čemšeniška planina. We continue cycling under northern slopes of Čemšeniška planina towards Zaplanina and Prvine Ski Resort. At Limovce and Brezje intersection we turn left and continue cycling towards Brezje and Dobrljevo. In Dobrljevo we continue straight towards Čemšenik, Zaloka and Jesenovo. We cycle through Križe and Drenovec and ascend all the way to Vrhe Mountain Hut. Once we reach Vrhe we slowly start descending back towards Hotel Grof in direction of Klinčkov vrh. On gravel road we descend to Loke settlement where we turn right towards Tabor and follow the same route all the way back to Hotel Grof.
Refreshment and shower possibility at the Hotel (late check out confirmed upon availability or free hotel locker room use instead). Organized transfers to the airport or individual departures.
Tour data:
Length: 43 km
Elevation gain: 1000 m
Time: 3,5 h
Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road
PRICE:
From 97 € per person in a double room in 3* Guesthouse Grof
From 115 € per person in a double room in 4* Hotel Grof
The price includes:
- 2 x Bed and buffet breakfast in selected double room
- GPX tracks of all suggested tours for your navigation
- Free use of hotel cycling services: cycling corner, cycling maps, bike storage, bike washing, drying rack, basic bike service, etc.
- Back up vehicle - transport to the hotel in case of bike defect,
- Free washing of cycling clothes during your stay
- 1 x 10 % discount at GROF restaurant during your stay
- Free gym use
- Parking space
- Wi-Fi and VAT
Tourist tax (1,50 € per adult per day) is not included in the price.
Weekend gravel bike holiday program consists of our recommended tours. All tours can be rearranged to your wishes and cycling skills. Private guide is not included in the price. GPX track for each chosen tour is available.
Possible surcharges:
- Room with balcony: 40 € per room for the package (Hotel 4* only)
- Single room: from 47 € per room per package in 3* and from 65 € per room per package in 4* (different rates for different dates and room types apply)
- GPS Rental: 10 € for the package
- Bike Rental: 39 € per day - gravel bike or e-MTB, 45 € per day - full suspension e-bike, 20 € per day - mountain bike
- Private guide for 3 cycling tours: 660 € per group (for up to 8 pax per group)
- Local siteseeing tours and transfers in Slovenia (guided tours): by prior arrangement
