Outdoors

Apart from its festivals, events, culture, gastronomy and rich history, Varaždin has yet another ace up its sleeve – beautiful nature and a rich offer of recreational and adventurous activities in its immediate or distant surroundings.

Surrender to the river
Even though it is often called the European Amazon, the freshwater pearl of Europe, the gold-bearing river, and by other flattering nicknames, we know it simply as – the Drava! Tame and wild, and researched and undiscovered at the same time, the Drava river, its banks, and nearby forests allow you to get to know and enjoy nature in various ways: SUP + RAFT + MTB + Jeep Off Road.
Surrender to the river
Even though it is often called the European Amazon, the freshwater pearl of Europe, the gold-bearing river, and by other flattering nicknames, we know it simply as – the Drava! Tame and wild, and researched and undiscovered at the same time, the Drava river, its banks, and nearby forests allow you to get to know and enjoy nature in various ways: SUP + RAFT + MTB + Jeep Off Road.
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Surrender
to the river

Even though it is often called the European Amazon, the freshwater pearl of Europe, the gold-bearing river, and by other flattering nicknames, we know it simply as – the Drava! Tame and wild, and researched and undiscovered at the same time, the Drava river, its banks, and nearby forests allow you to get to know and enjoy nature in various ways: SUP + RAFT + MTB + Jeep Off Road.


The Castle to Castle route takes you from Varaždin’s Old Town to the Trakošćan Castle, revealing the county’s abundance of beautiful features along the way. The Toplice route leads to Varaždinske Toplice, a town with the oldest thermal spa in Croatia and archaeological excavations of a Roman thermal bath.


The EuroVelo 9 cycling route passes through Slovenia (the City of Maribor) and the west side of Varaždin, whereas the EuroVelo 13 route passes through the east side of town and runs along the Slovenian – Hungarian border through Međimurje County, continuing towards Koprivnica through the immediate vicinity of Mali Bukovec.

Explore on
the bicycle

Its excellent geographical position at the intersection of bicycle routes, its connection to important international and Croatian routes, a charming mix of the historical and the urban, availability of bike&bed accommodation, and the wide variety of offers make the town of Varaždin an attractive destination for cycle tourism and a starting point for many bike trips.

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THROUGH THE COUNTY ON TWO WHEELS

Four road bike routes and one partially off-road route can be found in Varaždin County. The partially off-roadroute is marked as RO2, whereas the other routes, leading from Varaždin to Dubrava Križovljanska, and from Varaždin to Mali Bukovec, are marked as RO1 and RO3 respectively.

The Castle to Castle route takes you from Varaždin’s Old Town to the Trakošćan Castle, revealing the county’s abundance of beautiful features along the way. The Toplice route leads to Varaždinske Toplice, a town with the oldest thermal spa in Croatia and archaeological excavations of a Roman thermal bath.

The EuroVelo 9 cycling route passes through Slovenia (the City of Maribor) and the west side of Varaždin, whereas the EuroVelo 13 route passes through the east side of town and runs along the Slovenian – Hungarian border through Međimurje County, continuing towards Koprivnica through the immediate vicinity of Mali Bukovec.

ALONG THE DRAVA RIVER ON A BIKE – Drava bike trail

The bike trail along the Drava river surprisingly passes through four countries and is approximately 710 km long in total.

The trail starts near the source of the Drava river in Toblach, Italy, and then continues for 290 km through Carinthia, Austria and passes through Slovenia for 145 km. Its Croatian section (which is not yet fully finished and marked) is 265 km long and ends in Osijek.
It is suitable for trekking, as well as mountain and electric bicycles, and it mostly passes along the banks of the Drava River.

The Varaždin part of the Drava trail reveals most of the river’s stunning features. In addition to natural beauties, the trail will give you the opportunity to see various attractions and landmarks.

Information:

Through the County on two wheels:https://bike-routes-vzz.com/biciklisticke-rute/

Varaždin Bike Routes smartphone app www.turizam-vzz.hr

Drava bike trail: www.dravabike.si

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Hiking

Although Varaždin is located in a plain, hills and mountains can be found on the southern and western parts of the region. Above the town of Ivanec in Varaždin County lies Ivanščica, the highest mountain of continental Croatia and a paradise for hikers and forest wanderers. If you want to healthy and active encounter during your time here, why not opt to climb the nearby Ravna gora or the mythical Kalnik. Kalnik’s peak with an ancient fortress, educational trail and a mountain lodge technically does not belong to the Varaždin region, but we’re sure you won’t mind.

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Ivanščica

This highest mountain of north-western Croatia is a popular hiking destination. There are several well-marked trails of varying difficulty you can take to the top, where you can find the charming and well-known mountain lodge Pasarić House. Need more reasons to climb the “Iva”? Just think of its splendid forests and how close it is of not just Varaždin, but also the historic towns of Ivanec and Lepoglava. Although this popular mountain has a gentler slope, it should not be underestimated.

Ravna Gora

Did you know that you can climb the Alps near Varaždin? The Ravna gora hill is the last branch of this mountain range and is popular among hikers primarily because of the beauty of its forests, spectacular views from the viewpoint, an abundance of great hiking trails, and two mountain lodges. It is also close to the Trakošćan castle. Ravna gora is a great spot for paragliders as well.

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Čevo

Mali, ali žestoki „Zagorski Klek“ sa „samo“ 562 m visine nagrađuje Vas spektakularnim pogledom na prekrasnu, vijugavu dolinu rijeke Bednje, dvorce Bele, ali i planinske vrhove u Sloveniji. Čevo je planinarskim stazama povezano s Grebengradom i Ivanščicom, a u blizini se nalaz i ostaci Puste Bele, utvrde u kojoj je, legenda kaže, odmarao i Kralj Richard Lavljeg srca po povratku iz Križarskog rata.

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Pokojec

Nezaobilazna točka za rekreativce, planinare, ali i penjače jer se ovdje smjestilo jedno od najvećih i najpopularnijih penjališta kontinentalne Hrvatske. Pokojec je prekrasno odredište za šetnju prirodom sa spektakularnim vidikovcem i popularnim planinarskim domom. Izvor vode u Belskom dolu, posebna je atrakcija i okrijepit će vas za nastavak vašeg puta, kamo god krenuli. A mogućnosti ima više jer planinarske staze vode prema Čevu, Grebengradu ili Ivanščici.

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Grebengrad

A wide forest road leading to one of the largest fortresses in northern Croatia, great for a visit in any part of the year, boasts the Grebengrad Mountain Lodge at its end, as well as the remains of the once-mighty fortress, and a magnificent view from Lubenjak.

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Kalnik

Jedna od mitskih gora sjeverozapadne Hrvatske, na kojoj se preklapaju čak tri županije, osim povijesne i kulturološke važnosti zauzima i važnu ulogu u otudoor izletničkoj ponudi. Do i oko Kalnika možete biciklom, po njemu možete šetati, planinariti ili se penjati, a prekrasna očuvana priroda, široki pogledi s njegovih vrhova i „zuba“ još su vrjedniji zbog ostataka moćne tvrđave i planinarskog doma smještenog nadomak nje.

Čevo

Mali, ali žestoki „Zagorski Klek“ sa „samo“ 562 m visine nagrađuje Vas spektakularnim pogledom na prekrasnu, vijugavu dolinu rijeke Bednje, dvorce Bele, ali i planinske vrhove u Sloveniji. Čevo je planinarskim stazama povezano s Grebengradom i Ivanščicom, a u blizini se nalaz i ostaci Puste Bele, utvrde u kojoj je, legenda kaže, odmarao i Kralj Richard Lavljeg srca po povratku iz Križarskog rata.

Pokojec

Nezaobilazna točka za rekreativce, planinare, ali i penjače jer se ovdje smjestilo jedno od najvećih i najpopularnijih penjališta kontinentalne Hrvatske. Pokojec je prekrasno odredište za šetnju prirodom sa spektakularnim vidikovcem i popularnim planinarskim domom. Izvor vode u Belskom dolu, posebna je atrakcija i okrijepit će vas za nastavak vašeg puta, kamo god krenuli. A mogućnosti ima više jer planinarske staze vode prema Čevu, Grebengradu ili Ivanščici.

Grebengrad

A wide forest road leading to one of the largest fortresses in northern Croatia, great for a visit in any part of the year, boasts the Grebengrad Mountain Lodge at its end, as well as the remains of the once-mighty fortress, and a magnificent view from Lubenjak.

Kalnik

Jedna od mitskih gora sjeverozapadne Hrvatske, na kojoj se preklapaju čak tri županije, osim povijesne i kulturološke važnosti zauzima i važnu ulogu u otudoor izletničkoj ponudi. Do i oko Kalnika možete biciklom, po njemu možete šetati, planinariti ili se penjati, a prekrasna očuvana priroda, široki pogledi s njegovih vrhova i „zuba“ još su vrjedniji zbog ostataka moćne tvrđave i planinarskog doma smještenog nadomak nje.

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Experiences in the air

You can fly around the Varaždin area, both in an airplane and as a paraglider. The bird’s eye view of Varaždin and the entire region is truly unique. Dynamic landscapes where plains are crossed by rivers and hills studded with fortresses and castles can best be seen from a height.

Paragliding

Ivanščica and Ravna gora, the first mountain, and the second mountain, as the name suggests, are favorite places from which paragliders regularly take off, and you can join them, if you are experienced enough or brave and eager for adrenaline.

The beautiful landscapes of Ravna gora and Ivanščica and a dedicated landing site in Cvetlin make them the most attractive locations for free gliding in Croatia. National and European competitions in this sport are regularly held there, and there are a total of two starting points managed by two different clubs. Ivanščica is also an excellent paragliding destination.

RAVNA GORA

“Let” Paragliding Club

tel. +385 (0)91 234 2340

tel. +385 (0)91 612 0069 – tandem paragliding

info@let.hr

Klub slobodnog letenja “Kolibri”:

tel. +385 (0)91 769 5653

FB “Kolibri” Free Gliding Club

kolibri@bednja.hr

IVANŠČICA

Klub padobranskog letenja “Let”:

tel. +385 (0)91 2342340

info@let.hr

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Panoramic flights

Taking off from the Varaždin airport, you to get a unique insight into the beauty of the city, Varaždin’s immediate surroundings, and the wider region. The possibilities are endless. You can enjoy the view of Varaždin’s city beauties, explore the beautiful hills and the castles, forts and mansions that adorn them. You can follow the course of the European Amazon, the Drava River, take a look at the picturesque Međimurje or Zagorje, or you can surrender to the experienced pilots and let them take you on an adventure through Zagreb to the Plitvice Lakes.


Info & reservations:

Panoramic Flights Croatia Varaždin

web: www.panoramicflightscroatia.com;

tel: +385916343-811

e- mail: panoramicflightscroatia@gmail.com

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