Pohorje

Pohorje is the long, forested mountain range that rises directly above Maribor on the south-west, and it is the city's playground in every season. Unlike the limestone peaks of the Alps, Pohorje is built of old crystalline rock, and its broad ridges, rounded summits and deep valleys give it a softer, wilder look, covered for most of its extent with spruce and beech forest, with open meadows and peat bogs on the high plateaus. The highest parts reach roughly 1,500 metres, and the range stretches for many kilometres from the Drava valley in the west to the plain in the east. From Maribor, it is possible to reach the slopes in a few minutes by road or by cable car, so the mountain is a natural escape for the people of the city.

Winter brings skiing. The Maribor Pohorje ski area, on the slopes above the city, is the best known, with slopes of various levels, lifts, snowmaking and night skiing, and it is the venue each winter for an international alpine skiing competition in the women's World Cup, the Golden Fox, which draws large crowds. The slopes are particularly popular with families and beginners, and the ski school and rental shops make it easy to try the sport. When the snow is deep, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are possible on the high plateaus, and the forest roads become tracks for ski touring.

In summer, the mountain is a network of trails for walkers and cyclists. The cable car carries passengers from the edge of Maribor to the upper station, from which paths lead through forest and meadow to mountain huts, viewpoints and small lakes, among them the Black Lake, a peat-bog pond hidden in the woods. Mountain bikers use forest roads and downhill trails, and the area also offers paragliding, horse riding and Nordic walking. Mushrooms and blueberries grow in the woods, and visitors in late summer and autumn often come to pick them. The air is noticeably cooler than in the valley, so the mountain is a welcome refuge on hot days, and a jacket is advisable even in summer.

Maribor is the cultural and economic centre of Slovenian Styria, and it was a European Capital of Culture in 2012. The city has a lively old town, with the world's oldest vine, a castle, a cathedral and a river promenade, and it makes a good base for exploring the mountain and the wine hills. Beautiful architecture, the Lent district, the Drava River Promenade, Maribor Castle, the Maribor Art Gallery and Calvary Hill (Kalvarija) all add to a visit. Check the weather, since mountain conditions change quickly, and the cable car and lift schedules vary with the season.