Plan your route, pack the right kit and check the weather for a safe, active weekend in Maribor.

In Maribor, combine a city break with hiking on Pohorje, cycling along the Drava or riding forest trails. Safety starts before you leave: choose a realistic route, check the terrain, weather and starting point, and bring suitable equipment. Plan a shorter alternative for each day so you can adapt to conditions and the group’s energy levels.

Choose a route everyone in your group can manage

When planning, look beyond the distance. Check the total elevation gain, technical difficulty, terrain, sun exposure, estimated time and options for finishing early. For a circular route, allow for the whole circuit; for a one-way route, include the return journey or transport from the other end. Add extra time for breaks, photographs, children and potentially slower progress on wet ground.

Compare route descriptions across several reliable sources. For Maribor and Pohorje, use the official route information from Visit Maribor and Visit Pohorje; for the Drava cycling route, consult Drava Bike; and for mountain trails, use hiking maps, maPZS and detailed descriptions of starting points. Hribi.net is useful for comparing access options and information from other users, but always check official notices about closures and current trail conditions before setting off.

Check the starting point, access and return journey

Enter the exact starting point into your navigation app, rather than just the name of your destination. Check where you can park, which public transport stop is nearest and whether bicycles are allowed on the service. If you plan to use Pohorska vzpenjača (Pohorje cable car), check its operating hours, any weather-related suspensions and the rules for carrying bicycles. For a one-way cycling trip, arrange your return by train, bus or organised transport in advance.

Save a map and GPX track for offline use. A phone is a valuable aid, but it should not be your only means of navigation: cold weather and continuous use of navigation drain the battery more quickly. A small map of the area and a clearly written destination are also useful.

Check the weather twice

Check the forecast the day before you leave and again in the morning. Temperature, wind and visibility on Pohorje can differ from conditions in the city. After rain, roots, rocks and wooden surfaces are slippery, and forest trails may be waterlogged. If thunderstorms, strong winds, fog or a rapid drop in temperature are forecast, choose a shorter route at a lower elevation or postpone the activity.

During your outing, watch the clouds, wind and how the group is feeling. Turning back in good time is a sensible decision, not a failure. Agree in advance on a time to start your return, regardless of whether you have reached your destination.

Choose footwear and clothing to suit the terrain

For forest and mountain trails, choose hiking footwear with good grip that you have already worn and tested. Everyday trainers may be unreliable on wet roots, mud and steeper sections. Dress in layers: add a warmer layer and lightweight protection against wind and rain over your base layer. Carry a dry or warmer layer in your backpack even in summer.

Cyclists should wear a correctly fitted helmet and check the brakes, tyre pressure, gears and e-bike battery before setting off. For a longer ride, also carry a spare inner tube or repair kit, a pump, lights and reflective accessories. For a bike park, you need equipment suited to the difficulty of your chosen trail.

Pohorje has plenty of water, but it is not all safe to drink

Streams, springs, waterfalls and bogs are an important part of Pohorje’s landscape, but a clear stream is not necessarily safe to drink from. Carry enough water for the first part of your outing and plan refill points in advance. Refill at a designated drinking fountain, a spring confirmed as safe for drinking, or an open mountain hut or food and drink establishment.

You cannot judge whether water from an unmarked spring or stream is safe by its appearance alone. The risk of contamination is even greater after heavy rain. If there is no reliable refill point on your route, carry all the water you need and do not assume you will find it along the way.

A suggested active weekend

Day one: an easy hike and an introduction to Pohorje

For a gentle start, choose Rozkina gozdna učna pot (Rozka forest educational trail) from the upper station of Pohorska vzpenjača (Pohorje cable car). This circular route is about 2.8 kilometres long and gives you a chance to check how the group is feeling, your equipment and the conditions before attempting a longer outing. Fitter hikers can choose a longer marked trail, but should check its difficulty and duration before setting off.

Day two: cycling along the Drava

For your cycling day, choose a section of Dravska kolesarska pot (Drava cycling route) to suit the group’s fitness. The Maribor–Ptuj stage is 30 kilometres long. The Via Starše option has just 45 metres of ascent, but only about 55 per cent is asphalted; the Via Duplek option is entirely asphalted but has more climbing. Families with young children should ride only a shorter section checked in advance and return the same way.

If the weather is unsettled or the group is tired, shorten your plans. A walk through the old town or a shorter ride along the Drava is safer than sticking to the original itinerary in unsuitable conditions.

A quick checklist before you leave

  • Check the route, starting point, destination, duration and elevation gain;

  • check current trail conditions, the weather forecast and your backup plan;

  • bring suitable footwear or a helmet, and make sure your bicycle is in good working order;

  • pack water, an energy snack, a basic first aid kit and personal medication;

  • take a charged phone, an offline map and, if needed, a power bank;

  • tell someone close to you where you are going and when you expect to return.

Preparing well for an outing involves more than suitable equipment and careful route planning. It also makes sense to protect yourself with appropriate insurance. If an accident or injury occurs during sport or other leisure activities, Generali accident insurance can provide financial protection.

Frequently asked questions

Check the distance, elevation gain, difficulty, terrain, estimated duration, starting point, return options and current trail conditions.
Use official information from Visit Maribor and Visit Pohorje, Drava Bike, hiking maps and maPZS. Detailed descriptions on Hribi.net are also useful.
No. Refill only at designated or verified drinking-water points. If there are none, carry enough water with you.
Choose tried-and-tested hiking footwear with good grip. Roots, rocks and wooden surfaces can be very slippery after rain.
Shorten your outing, return by a safe route or postpone the activity. In immediate danger or in the event of an accident, call 112.
Active Outdoors