This time in our series on hiking trails, we present the one in northwestern Slovenske gorice, right along the border of the Kungota municipality. Along the trail, we came across churches and chapels, enjoyed beautiful scenery, and wandered through what felt like endless vineyards. As we walked, we were constantly reminded that this is a region famous for its quality Styrian wine cellars and, above all, some excellent white wines. But what made us go there over the May Day holidays more than the wine was the charming countryside, the chance to unwind, take it all in, and a hiking trail that promised a bit of adventure.
Svečinske gorice form the westernmost part of the western Slovenske gorice, lying between the Pesnica River and the Austrian border. The hills and ridges here include some of the highest points in Slovenske gorice. The main ridges run in a west to east direction. Although the marshy valley floors are not ideal for crops, the hillsides are put to good use with vineyards and fruit orchards.
The trail opened 35 years ago and stretches for around 40 kilometres. It was created by Anica Horvat, a local teacher and writer who has lived in the area since 1972. She also published a trail guide and journal, which allows you to collect stamps at the checkpoints along the way. There are nine checkpoints in total, but between two of those nine, you only need to choose one. In the end, you need to visit eight to complete the trail. One challenge is that the trail is not circular, so you need to plan carefully and organise your hike well. Hikers who complete the trail and present their stamp journal receive a commemorative badge.
The church stands above the Pesnica Valley and Svečina Creek, and the view from up there is beautiful. The building was first mentioned in 1391 and has been renovated or extended several times since. Its interior is decorated in Baroque style and has colourful stained-glass windows.
St Kunigunda was a German Empress married to Duke Henry of Bavaria. She helped her husband with political decisions and worked to support people in need, but after his death, power passed to the German Empire. The church in Spodnja Kungota also bears the name of St Kunigunda, the benefactor and protector of the Benedictines.
From the valleys of the hills, hikers can spot a beautiful castle near Svečina in the distance. It was built in the 11th century and belonged to the lords of Cmurek until they gave it to the Augustinian monks. Although it was targeted in Turkish raids, the castle retained its current appearance after being rebuilt. Until 2005, the castle was home an agricultural school, but today it serves as an exhibition space for various permanent and temporary displays.
This open-air museum is tucked away in a quiet spot in the forest. It gives visitors a glimpse into the daily lives of vine growers and their work in the vineyards. Old tools, a wine press, and household items are on display, while an ethnographic collection tells the story of vineyard work. You can explore the museum on your own only during opening hours – every Sunday afternoon from 2 to 6 pm, when visitors can also enjoy some food and drink. If the museum is closed, you can still use the spot to rest under the trees and enjoy views of the Kozjak forests.
The trail also takes hikers to a famous photo spot above the road shaped like a heart, located in the village of Špičnik. It winds through the vineyards of Vinogradništvo Šerbinek, with the view best enjoyed from the courtyard and viewing platform at the Dreisiebner tourist farm, where you need to pay a small entrance fee. This increasingly popular and romanticised spot was almost empty when we visited. We only spotted a handful of people enjoying the view with a drink in their hand.
The trail then takes you further up to Plački vrh, home to a 28-metre viewing tower with panoramic views. From there, you get views across to neighbouring Austria and the surrounding hills, and on a clear day, you can even see all the way to Croatia. There are information boards that tell you which peaks, towns, and villages you are looking at.
Part of the Svečina hiking trail follows the blue branch of the international Nordic walking trail called Vinotour, which winds through Austrian and Slovenian wine regions west of Šentilj. All five branches of the trail are marked with a wine bottle symbol, with the colour of the bottle showing which route you are on – red, blue, orange, green, or yellow.
A few times a year, they organise group hikes that bring people together from both sides of the border, which creates a real sense of community. It is also a great chance for local producers to show off the products they make in the vineyards. The Svečina hiking trail also links up with an educational route about vineyards and fossils, which has us already looking forward to returning and discovering this area even more.
If you follow the trail logbooks, it takes you to the terraces and courtyards of many homes, where you get to meet the people who live there. There was usually a furry friend waiting to greet us, and they were almost always friendly. To us, it felt like a sign of openness and hospitality, with homes welcoming curious visitors without fear or overprotectiveness. The warmth of friendly smiles and words, and the feeling of being truly welcome, is at the heart of our experiences, and it is what keeps drawing us back to places and trails like this.
The four-legged friends we mentioned were keen to join us for much of the trail, so we had quite the task of steering them back home in time. As we walked, we soaked up the stunning views, but what we enjoyed most was the peace and quiet, wandering through endless vineyards, country paths, and flower-filled meadows.
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