An artificial reservoir that has developed into a wetland: Lake Dravograd gives the landscape a distinctive character. Islands and reed beds are part of its habitat, and its importance extends far beyond the water. Here, nature watching, trails and cultural history come together, offering very different ways to get to know Dravograd.
Lake Dravograd and its habitats
The lake provides shelter and breeding grounds for more than 150 species of waterbirds. It is also an important spawning ground for fish and a habitat for amphibians, reptiles, aquatic molluscs and water insects. As an ornithological reserve, it is also part of the European Natura 2000 network. Anyone interested in the diversity of a wetland will find a place here where several habitats meet in a compact area.
The Fishing Hall at Lake Dravograd offers a different perspective on the rivers of the area. Its natural history collection provides insights into the ecosystems of the Drava, MeĹľa and Mislinja rivers. Please confirm visitor access before your trip.
On foot or by bike
Two circular routes offer different points of interest. The marked Dravograd–Grad forest educational trail is about two kilometres long, takes approximately two hours and includes 15 thematic stations. The Pot za srce is a five-kilometre circular route around the centre of Dravograd; it starts and ends at the health centre. Coloured waymarkers and information boards mark its route. You can choose between a shorter loop with thematic stations and a longer route around the centre based on the stated features of each trail. The Boberček Trail is also among Dravograd’s offerings as an educational, experience-focused route.
Two cycling routes with different specifications pass through the region. The Drava Cycling Route runs from the ViÄŤ border crossing through Dravograd and via Bukovje towards Trbonje. Ĺ trekna is a 35-kilometre, fully paved cycling route, separated from other traffic, between Velenje and Dravograd. Temporary works may affect the infrastructure, so check for current notices about this route as well.
Discover culture and history
The Gestapo Prison Museum in Dravograd features five prison cells with prisoners’ final messages before their execution, accounts from survivors and a memorial room dedicated to events in the region during the Second World War. Confirm access and the museum’s opening arrangements before your trip.
Churches also offer insight into different aspects of the region’s cultural heritage. Below Ojstrica, the Church of the Holy Spirit dates from the early 17th century and has Slovenia’s largest surviving area of painted wooden ceiling. Access to the interior may vary. The Church of St Peter on Kronska Gora, meanwhile, has two bell towers.
In Libeliče, visitors can see the Carinthian Plebiscite Museum, a black kitchen and a former school classroom. Check in advance whether the museums are accessible and whether a guided visit is available. The ruins of Pukštajn Castle house a permanent exhibition on the 1991 Slovenian War of Independence and a learning centre with a biodynamic garden; confirm the exhibition’s availability before your trip.
Rafting on the Drava offers another historical perspective. At the raft port near Trbonje, Koroški splavarji introduce visitors in an entertaining way to the tradition’s former economic importance in the Drava region. Confirm availability before you arrive.
Discover more destinations: Dravograd, ViÄŤ, Ljubljana, Nova Gorica, Slovenj Gradec, Trbovlje, ÄŚrnomelj, Novo Mesto.
For the main travel overview: Slovenia.
