The “From Bench to Bench” Hiking Route takes you along the northern edge of the Kozjansko region. This easy route leads along roads and forest paths, past old farmsteads and churches, and up to exceptional viewpoints where you can rest on scenic benches.
Well-marked and easy to follow, the route connects nine points of interest. You can walk only a section (from the starting point to a bench) or complete the full circular route, choosing between a shorter or a longer version. At each of the nine points, you will find an information board with a map and description of the route, a hiking stamp, and a logbook. Hikers can select either the long or short circular route or combine points freely for a unique hiking experience.
The “From Bench to Bench” route is ranked among the most beautiful yet less-known hiking trails of Hike Slovenia Green.
Starting Point
The route begins at the bus station in Gorica pri Slivnici (276 m), with free parking and an information board and a route map. If the lot is full, you can park at the nearby Primary School Slivnica pri Celju (200 m away). Close by, you will find Gostilna Lesjak Inn, while the nearby roundabout offers a self-service grocery store and Aurea Café. Just 1 km east, on the road toward Loka pri Žusmu and Sodna vas, lies Lake Slivnica, where Ramna Slivniško jezero Café is located.
Shorter Circular Trail: Gorica pri Slivnici – Gradišče – Peseke – Sveta Helena – Bukovje pri Slivnici – Col – Gorica pri Slivnici
The hike begins at the Gorica pri Slivnici bus station (276 m), where free parking is available. At the trailhead, an information board provides a map of the route. From the bus station, cross the Voglajna River and head toward the grocery store on the left side of the roundabout. Turn left by the store onto a road between two parking lots (grocery store and agricultural cooperative store) leading into the village. At the crossroads, where the asphalt road turns right, take the cart track left, which skirts the village—follow the trail marks. The track later joins an asphalt road passing farm. After about 700 meters, turn left past a house to reach the bench on Gradišče Hill (433 m). The hill is named after the remains of a medieval fortification, visible as defensive ditches and embankments, although it has not been archaeologically explored.
From Gradišče, return briefly along the same path. At the forest edge, look for signs leading onto a shortcut. This path takes you above the western side of Lake Slivniško jezero to a hamlet, where you rejoin the asphalt road. Continue to the main road Gorica pri Slivnici–Loka pri Žusmu–Sodna vas, cross it, and follow signs to another hamlet near the forest. Here, turn right onto a rising road, soon reaching the bench at Peseke Hill (428 m). From here, there are splendid views of Lake Slivniško jezero—known locally as the “Kozjansko Sea”—and of Gorica pri Slivnici village.
Continue uphill, then follow the cart track past a farm into the forest. The forest path leads to the village of Javorje, where you rejoin an asphalt road ascending to the top of Sveta Helena Hill (528 m). The views here stretch over the Kozjansko hills, including Žusem, Boč, Donačka Gora, and the Pohorje.
From Sveta Helena, the trail descends past St. Helen’s Church along a cart track to the village of Bukovje pri Slivnici (419 m). Follow signs toward Col (550 m), where customs duties were once collected. The ascent is steeper, but once at the ridge, you reach the Church of St. John the Baptist. From there, take a side road up to Col’s summit. Here you can rest on a bench, enjoying views over the rural village of Slivnica pri Celju with its Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
The descent continues along gravel and meadow paths through forest and farmland, eventually bringing you back to the main road Šentjur–Kozje at the Voglajna crossroads. From there, return to the starting point.
Short summary: Shorter Circular Route
- Easy marked hiking route
- Duration: 3–4 hours
- Suitable for families with children used to longer walks
- Hiking stamps and logbooks available at information boards
- Starting point: bus station parking in Gorica pri Slivnici (free parking)
- Facilities: grocery store, Aurea Café, Gostilna Lesjak
- Nearby: Lake Slivnica (1 km, Ramna Slivniško jezero Café), Grasseli Park at the roundabout (rest area)
Longer Circular Trail: Gorica pri Slivnici – Gradišče – Peseke – Sveta Helena – Bukovje pri Slivnici – Paridol – Turnče – Col – Gorica pri Slivnici
This version begins the same way as the shorter route: starting in Gorica pri Slivnici, crossing the Voglajna, climbing via Gradišče and Peseke, and reaching Sveta Helena Hill.
From Sveta Helena, the path continues through Bukovje pri Slivnici toward Paridol village (475 m), with a small fire station. A steep meadow trail leads to the ridge, then along vineyards and wine cottages to Turnče Hill (595 m), named after a medieval tower. From here, the trail passes through Slovenia’s largest yew (Taxus) forest in this region. The path then leads through Voduce village, forest tracks, and meadows, eventually joining roads up to Col (550 m) with its scenic bench and views.
The descent follows gravel and forest paths, joining the main road near Voglajna and leading back to Gorica pri Slivnici.
Short summary: Longer Circular Route
- Easy marked hiking route
- Duration: 6–8 hours
- Suitable for families with children used to longer walks
- Hiking stamps and logbooks available at information boards
- Starting point: bus station parking in Gorica pri Slivnici (free parking)
- Facilities: grocery store, Aurea Café, Gostilna Lesjak
- Nearby: Lake Slivnica (1 km, Ramna Slivniško jezero Café), Grasseli Park at the roundabout (rest area)
Side Trail: Gorica pri Slivnici – Gaj
Gaj (419 m) is a hill rising above Gorica pri Slivnici. The route begins at the bus station in Gorica pri Slivnici, with free parking available. Cross the main road, continue right along the sidewalk, then turn left at the first junction. The road climbs steeply through the village, past Slivnica pri Celju Primary School and St. Urban’s Church. After about 500 meters, follow signs directing you onto a smaller road between a barn and a house. The ascent continues partly through forest, then vineyards and wine cottages, until reaching a bench and information board at the top. From this viewpoint you can see the Voglajna River Valley, farms, and surrounding hills including Sveta Helena, Slivnica pri Celju, and Kalobje. You return to the starting point the same route.
Short summary: Gorica pri Slivnici – Gaj
- Easy hiking trail
- Duration: approx. 30 minutes (one way)
- Suitable for families with children; stroller- and baby-carrier-friendly
- Hiking stamp and logbook available at the information board on Gaj
- Starting point: bus station parking in Gorica pri Slivnici (free parking)
- Facilities: grocery store, Aurea Café, Gostilna Lesjak
- Nearby: Lake Slivnica (1 km, Ramna Slivniško jezero Café), Grasseli Park (rest area)
Information:
Slivnica pri Celju Mountaineering Association
00386 40 215 110, pdslivnicapricelju@gmail.com
