From Celje, the Town of the famous Counts of Celje, to Šentjur, known as the cradle of Slovenian music, you can safely cycle on a new cycleway from autumn 2024. Šentjur is an excellent starting point for cycling trips, as you can continue toward Kozjansko, Ponikva or Dramlje. The trip is also possible with a rented bike from the KolesCE system, which has renting stations in both Celje and Šentjur.
Description of the Celje–Štore–Šentjur Cycling Route
The 11.6 km long route takes you for almost the entire way along the Voglajna River, partly following the railway and partly the Celje–Šentjur main road. The cycleway begins at Teharska cesta 1, by the Historical Archive of Celje, close to Celje railway station and the main post office. The path runs between a building and a parking lot; at the end of the parking lot keep right and ride along a small grove. Soon, on the right, you will see the Voglajna River, and after about 500 meters you cross the Hudinja River, which flows into the Voglajna a few meters downstream.
For the next 1.5 km you cycle along the famous Southern Railway. When you reach the road, turn right, cross the Voglajna, and at the intersection immediately after the bridge turn left onto the local road. Again, you will be cycling along the Voglajna River almost the entire way to Šentjur. On the opposite bank you can observe industrial sites that continue the ironworking and steelmaking tradition of Štore.
At a bend, just past a small industrial facility, turn left and return to the Voglajna riverbank. Cross the river, then turn right immediately after the bridge. The path leads past a fenced scrap metal yard. Soon you pass Štore railway station, and about 200 meters later cross the Voglajna River for the third time. After around 600 meters you rejoin a local road and after 300 meters return to the cycling path. The route follows the slow-flowing Voglajna until the path ends, where you turn left onto a local road. In the village of Prožinska vas you cross the Voglajna River for the last time.
Right after crossing the railway, turn right onto a cycling connection that takes you for almost 2 km between fields and meadows on the left and the railway on the right. In Vrbno the cycle path brings you to the main road Celje–Šentjur. Following this road, you arrive at Šentjur railway station. About 400 meters before the destination, before a wooden footbridge, you can turn left and continue on a cycle path directly into centre of Šentjur.
Where to Cycle in Šentjur?
Šentjur
You can cycle into Šentjur's historic centre - Zgornji trg, where the Ipavec House Museum introduces you to the history of the town and the famous composers and doctors of the Ipavec family. In the Rifnik and Its Treasures museum collection, you travel thousands of years back in time – all the way to prehistory. Vocal music enthusiasts will enjoy the Commemorative room of the New Swing Quartet, which began its creative musical journey right in Šentjur. At Mestni trg you can learn more about the turbulent events at the end of the millennium-long Austrian Empire and heroes such as Franjo Malgaj, who chose to defend Carinthia at a historic turning point. The Southern Railway Museum presents the history and operation of railways in Slovenia. In Šentjur you can also enjoy a full meal or sweet treats.
Lake Slivniško jezero
Lovingly called the Kozjansko Sea, Lake Slivniško jezero – the only lake in Kozjansko – is just about 5 km from Šentjur. It is a popular spot; Café Ramna Slivniško jezero offers cakes, ice cream, hot and cold drinks. The lake is very popular among anglers fishing along its varied shoreline. You can reach the lake from Šentjur, and for climbing enthusiasts, we recommend the route from Grobelno via Tratna pri Grobelnem.
Resevna Hill
Resevna Hill (682 m) is popular with hikers and cyclists. An asphalt road leads almost to the top from Šentjur: ride toward Hruševec and then via Kranjčica to Resevna. At the top, a mountain lodge offers food and drinks. For a panoramic view, you can climb the 20-meter tall observation tower, or swing on a wooden swing in the forest nearby.
Ponikva
Ponikva is the birthplace of remarkable Slovenians: Anton Martin Slomšek, Blaž Kocen, and Mihael Zagajšek. From Šentjur, you can cycle to Ponikva via Zgornji trg and Kameno to Hotunje (7 km), or ride along the cycling path to Grobelno and then through village Završe pri Grobelnem to Ponikva. Slomšek’s Birth House and the Kocen's Memorial Room invite visitors with their exhibitions. The Church of St. Martin is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Slovenian Styria; inside you can admire one of the finest sculptural and woodcarving Baroque masterpieces – the pulpit, made in the workshop of the Mersi craftsmen from Rogatec. Ponikva can also be experienced on the Trail of Three Famous Men of Ponikva, which can also be cycled in full, or you can set off on the circular cycling tour Šentjur Tour, which also takes you to the Žiče Charterhouse. A good starting point for a cycling trip is Ponikva railway station, which you can reach with your bike by train.
Circular Cycling Tours
You can choose from three circular cycling tours, offering either a full-day experience or 4–5 hours of intensive cycling:
- The Path of Good Energies takes you to the top of Resevna Hill, into the Kozarica stream valley, and then into the Voglajna River valley, around Lake Slivniško jezero to Grobelno, and back to Šentjur. Length: 32 km, total ascent: 816 m.
- Song of the Southern Railway takes you from Šentjur via Blagovna to Dramlje and then to the foothills of Ponikva, before returning to Šentjur. Length: 34 km, total ascent: 1002 m.
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Across the Sunny Kozjansko Hills leads past Lake Slivniško jezero to Žusem hill (669 m), over the rolling Prevorje to the idyllic Planina pri Sevnici, and then past Dobje pri Planini back to the starting point. Length: 38 km, 48 km from Šentjur, total ascent: 1073 m.
Information:
TIC Šentjur
00386 3 749 25 23, 00386 41 660 091, tic@turizem-sentjur.com
