Are you tempted to wake up King Matjaž, who sleeps under Peca, while you discover the mysterious life of the knapsacks by train, bike or kayak? Would you perhaps go rafting on the Drava and get a taste of the life of the rafters? Would you hug the tallest tree in Central Europe? Ah, you definitely don't know Carinthia well enough yet, and it's high time you gave it a chance! It is an extremely beautiful Slovenian landscape, which, unfortunately, is sometimes overlooked.
Carinthia, a landscape of forests and mountains, enchants with treasures Karavanke UNESCO Geopark, with Peca underground, which is also possible by bike and kayak, with a spacious green Pohorje and a lazy dreamy river Drava. Here you will find the tallest tree in Central Europe, Sgerm's spruce (6.81 meters), as well as the thickest tree in Slovenia, Najevo lime tree. On foot, by bike, on skis or in the water, you will NEVER be bored in Carinthia.
So what can you experience in Carinthia, what does the small but picturesque and diverse landscape invite you to do? Take a look below some ideas for spending your holidays in Carinthia!
Peca underground
Peca underground, tourist mine and museum, offering unique underground adventures and experiences, is one of the central tourist attractions of the cross-border UNESCO Geopark Karavanke. You can drive underground just like in the past with a mining train. If you want more adrenaline, you can go from one valley to another, on a 5-kilometer distance below Peca, ride a bike or you explore the flooded burrows with kayaks. It has an even longer tradition of touristic discovery of the underground of Carinthia A bad hole, which is a real underground gem. It is one of the oldest touristic caves in Slovenia. Here, accompanied by guides, you will experience real adrenaline trekking. The Pece underground carries a sign Slovenia Unique Experiences, which means it's a boutique experience you won't get anywhere else.
Topla landscape park
She is warm one of the most picturesque mountain valleys with us and has been protected as a natural attraction and landscape park since 1966. You can find it under Peca, not far from Črna na Koroškem. On the hike you will come across you whole, homesteads with many buildings, and at the same time you will have the opportunity to learn how this valley was marked by mining. They are waiting for you meadows and pastures, which are home to around 30 species of diurnal butterflies, and you will also be charmed by the rich flora, such as stone murres, cuckoos or goldenrods. The forests of Peca offer many clearingser, and if you're lucky, you might come across a wild rooster! Who knows!
Cycling in Carinthia
Carinthia is a real paradise for limitless combinations of bicycle tours. Numerous less trafficked and forest trails and growing kilometers of well-maintained, paved cycling surfaces offer you the opportunity to an unforgettable cycling adventure. Be it on the plain, up or down a hill, around a mountain or even through it. Numerous forest roads and carriageways and single trails are a paradise for mountain bikers. Not only down the hill, you will also experience a unique adventure on a bicycle in the Pece underground. You can also continue your cycling adventure in the valleys.
Getting to know nature and cultural peculiarities are connected in a unique way Drava cycling route and Shrekna – cycling route along Mislinjska dolina. The Drava cycling route is considered for its natural beauty and cultural diversity one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe, as well as Štrekna it is famous for its exceptional neatness. There's more here Mountain bike park Peca, which offers exceptional well-maintained single trails through forest, pastures and grasslands and the longest flow trail in Europe, 12 kilometers long.
Hiking in Carinthia
Take a walk in beautiful Carinthia! Along the marked mountain trails, you will find huts that offer shelter and accommodation. This is how you will enjoy wandering around the peaks and valleys of Carinthia casual hikers as well as serious steep challengers. Many themed trails suitable for walks are also instructive. Except on special days, you will not encounter many mountaineers here, so the experience of unspoiled nature will be all the more authentic.
5 peaks of Carinthia that you can visit
- Oven, the highest peak of Carinthia, 2,125 meters
- Uršlja mountain, 1,699 m (St. Uršula on Mount Uršlja is the highest church in Slovenia)
- Olseva, 1,929 m
- Spruce tree, 1,577 m
- Raduha, 2,062 m
Heaps
The well-known ski resort of Kope is located just above Slovenj Gradac, in the westernmost and highest part of Pohorje. And although most of us associate Kopa with winter activities, it is also quite lively here in the summer. For example, it is located in the middle of the Pohor forest Bike park Kope, where we find several elements such as "drop up", "step up" and "super flow". They are also available to you guided cycling tours with electric mountain bikes. You can visit energy points, which are located on top of Pungart. There you will experience mental relaxation and cleansing of the body's energy centers. They also allow you to various adventure experiencesbut at altitude, lowland, adventure and sports stations. The youngest will be taken care of in the larger one outdoor playground, v mini zoo or on mini trail, where they can practice driving with scooters and bikes.
And once you're there, you can't miss the beauty Rooster Lake, which got its name from the wild rooster that roams here. In summer, the lake is a popular spot among all those looking for a bit of peace and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoying the wooden deckchairs by the lake.
Rafting on the Drava
Take a ride like the rafters of old - on wooden logs down the Drava River! Flossers on rafts are waiting for you in a happy atmosphere and with an accordion in hand, so that you can relive the adventures and jokes of harvesting wood with them. Once upon a time, flossers, as they were called in these parts, performed the important task of transporting wood. Today in Carinthia there are two rafting ports for you on Gortina near Muta and in Javnik show how huge wooden masses were transported down the river.
Form Viva
The Forma viva steel sculptures are a landmark of the city Even in Carinthia. They were created at eight international sculpture symposia between 1964 and 2008. Artists, sculptors from fifteen different countries, in cooperation with the steel masters from the Ravne ironworks, created over thirty exceptional works of art from iron and steel, which enrich the architectural image of the city and the surrounding areas and create one of the most unique outdoor exhibitions in Europe.
Where can you stay overnight in Carinthia?
Carinthia offers quite a few accommodations that will satisfy a variety of guests, be it families, romantic couples, or solo travelers.
Nevertheless, we searched for some of them in the editorial office the most beautiful accommodations in Carinthia, from where you can access already known attractions and, of course, explore in your own way.
Apartment complex Ribniško Pohorje, Ribnica na Pohorje
V Ribniško Pohorje holiday resort you will vacation in the embrace of idyllic nature. In the summer months, you can refresh yourself on rugged hiking and biking trails unspoiled nature, and in the winter there is a ski slope at your disposal. Play a tense game of beach volleyball with your friends or compete in football, basketball, tennis... The apartments are located in traditional buildings made of wood and stone and offer a fully equipped kitchen and living room.
Hiša Ančka boutique hotel, Slovenj Gradec
Ančka's house is in the first row excellent restaurant, where, in addition to a "spoonful" meal, you will also find Italian cuisine with a touch of Slovenia. So the food is already taken care of. And almost a year after the opening of the restaurant, they also opened a boutique hotel where they offered guests five modern rooms. All rooms are stylishly finished, using natural materials such as oak in combination with high-quality ceramics. It will complement the stay perfectly wellness, where there is a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna, a massage pool and a water bed.
Tourist farm Samec, Sele
Tourist farm Samec is located in the small hill village of Sele (near Slovenj Gradac), at 700 meters above sea level and offers you a wonderful view of the surrounding hills. Master Franček is the owner of the farm. The master because, as a self-taught person, he first created a home for his family, later he himself undertook the restoration of the old granary in holiday cottage, set up the nesting tree house, produced unique saunas and set cute mini play barn. Every detail on the farm is brought to life by his hands. You have a choice in the surrounding area hiking or biking (possibility of renting bikes at the farm), skiing or simply wandering around the surrounding hills and getting to know the culture. And since the farm is family friendly, you can children experience a real adventure on the farm. In addition to the animals, which can be fed and met together with the owner, they also have outdoor playgrounds available.
Green Resort Glamping, Radlje ob Drava
Wooden houses in Glamping Green Resort, placed among the wheat fields, are reminiscent of the old wooden water mills that once operated on the Drava. They are fully manufactured from wood and give a feeling of warmth and comfort. Round windows and glass doors that open to nature provide some romance. And with that, the installation is definitely something special. There is a natural swimming lake next to the accommodation. the first biological pool in Slovenia, where natural organisms take care of water purity and its quality. Swim among the water lilies, jump off the jetty or soak up the sun on the green beach!
Cover photo
IG Discover Carinthia
IG Mitja Steinbach
