Cycling day trip from Ptuj to Maribor

This ride takes you from Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest recorded town, up to the lively city of Maribor. You’ll be pedaling for just over 30 km—enough for a solid morning adventure, but not so long you’ll feel broken before coffee.

The route is pretty mellow in terms of climbing, with just about 86 meters of ascent and a gentle descent as you near Maribor. You’ll roll through a nice mix of paved and gravel roads, mainly on quiet rural tracks, with lots of time to enjoy the scenery rather than traffic. Around half the ride is paved, and the gravel stretches are well-used by locals, so nothing too rough.

Ptuj itself is worth a slow start: it’s famous for its iconic castle and thermal springs. When you arrive in Maribor, reward yourself with a stroll along the Drava river or check out the world’s oldest vine. All in all, it’s a perfect slice of northeastern Slovenia—vineyards, hilltop views, and just enough challenge to justify a nice meal at the end!