Podčetrtek: Find a hotel – hiking trails, thermal baths and culture

A footpath leads from Podčetrtek to the Tower of Health and Joy along easy hiking trails; the walking time is approximately 60 minutes. The tower’s observation platform is 35.23 metres high, while the tower reaches a total height of 40 metres. The trail and structure thus create a clear connection between an approximately one-hour hike and a viewing point with separately stated platform and total heights.

Culture

The Church of St Lawrence stands below the castle hill at the end of Podčetrtek’s market square. Above its Renaissance portal, it preserves a fragmentarily preserved band of early Gothic frescoes. This describes both its location by the market square and the Renaissance portal and fragmentarily preserved early Gothic fresco band.

Another collection is housed in the Museum of Agricultural Implements in Podčetrtek, which contains more than 4,000 exhibits. Nearby Olimje is home to Olimje Minorite Monastery, located in a former manor house belonging to the Counts of Attems. The Church of the Assumption, a Baroque work of art, stands beside it. Also in nearby Olimje, the monastery has a botanical garden with more than 200 specimens of medicinal plants.

In nearby Olimje, Čokoladnica Olimje produces a wide range of handmade chocolate products. In its own boutiques, it offers newly developed flavours for tasting every year. At the nearby Haler estate, visitors can observe the brewing process in the on-site microbrewery or take part in a tasting. Chocolate and beer are thus each associated with a specifically named place of production and their own tasting experience.

Water and wellness

At Terme Olimia, Nova Termalija Family Fun and Aqualuna together form a world of water attractions. Wellness Orhidelia at Terme Olimia has a different character: it offers retreats for peace and relaxation. The water attraction and relaxation area are therefore differently oriented offerings under the shared umbrella of Terme Olimia.

Trails and landscape

A marked tourist trail leads from the roundabout in Podčetrtek over asphalt, gravel and forest paths; the walking time is approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. The E7 European long-distance hiking route runs between Podčetrtek and Rogaška Slatina; the walking time is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. The two routes therefore differ in their course and their respective approximate walking times; the tourist trail is explicitly marked.

In nearby Olimje, the Geological Educational Trail runs through the northern part of Kozjanski Park and offers views over a large part of the protected area. The educational trail has 21 stations equipped with information and orientation boards. The landscape connection and factual trail information are directly linked here: the route lies within the protected area, while the stations are equipped with information and orientation boards.

Cycle paths

Podčetrtek has more than 35 kilometres of cycle paths. A well-maintained cycle route connects Podčetrtek with neighbouring Rogaška Slatina. For cycling navigation, this describes both the network of paths within Podčetrtek and an explicitly named connection to the neighbouring town.

Other places: Podsreda, Lesično, Bistrica Ob Sotli, Pristava pri Mestinju, Šmarje Pri Jelšah, Roginska Gorca, Gabrce, Rogaška Slatina

To the higher-level travel overview: Šmarje Pri Jelšah.