Underground biking at Mt. Peca/Mining Museum

Mount Peca is the great ridge on the border between Slovenia and Austria, at the north-western end of the Karavanke range, and the old lead and zinc mine beneath it is among the most unusual places in the country to ride a bicycle. The mine closed in the 1990s after centuries of work, leaving a vast network of tunnels on many levels, and part of it has been prepared for guided mountain-bike tours. Starting from the mining museum in Mežica, riders are fitted with a bike, a helmet and a headlamp, and are then taken by shuttle to the entrance of the mine, where the real adventure begins.

The underground ride follows several kilometres of galleries that are lit for the tour and wide enough to cycle in comfort, so no special technical skill is needed, though a basic ability to ride a mountain bike is expected. The route moves through several levels of the mine and descends in stages, which makes the ride mostly downhill and relatively gentle, although the dim light, the echoing tunnels and the occasional turns keep it exciting. The temperature in the tunnels is a constant ten degrees or so, so warm clothing and long trousers are strongly recommended, even in summer. Guides ride with the group, stopping at points of interest to explain how ore was drilled, blasted and moved, what life was like for the miners, and how the mountain's geology created the deposits.

The tour places the mine within the larger story of the Karavanke, a mountain range that has been recognised as a transboundary UNESCO Global Geopark, shared between Slovenia and Austria, because of its geology and mining heritage. At the end, riders return to the mining museum area to hand back the bikes, and many people use the chance to look at the exhibits or have a drink. Tours need to be booked in advance, and age, height and fitness requirements apply, so check when making a reservation.

The area around Peca has plenty of other cycling and outdoor options. The Štrekna Railway Tunnel and the Descent near Mislinja on the Štrekna Cycle Path use an old railway line for an easy ride, Park Jamnica and the Single Trail Park Jamnica near Prevalje are designed for mountain bikers, and Ribniška Koča is a mountain hut that suits walkers. Perger's Honey Heaven offers local honey, and the Jezerski Vrh Memorial to Fallen Mountaineers is a place of remembrance in the hills. Combine the underground ride with a surface walk for a full day in Koroška.