No logging has ever taken place in the Šumik primeval forest. The strictly protected forest reserve covers 19 hectares and is a striking highlight among the natural attractions around Ruše. The landscape of the Ruško Pohorje can also be explored from different perspectives: in the gorges of the Lobnica and its tributary, the Verna, granite, tonalite and crystalline schist are exposed.
Forests, gorges and special plants
Veliki Šumik is 24 metres high. At Falska peč, geological and botanical features come together: the site in the Drava Valley is a geological formation with remnants of the last ice age and is also home to the protected fire lily (Lilium bulbiferum) and Host's saxifrage (Saxifraga hostii). Here, distinctive features of the landscape sit alongside protected plant life.
The Ruška Planinska Pot connects the central Pohorje, the Lobnica Gorge and the Pohorje primeval forest. Those who want to choose hikes by length or route will find other clearly defined options: the Uršankovo Forest Learning Trail has a short 1.3-kilometre variant and a long 3-kilometre variant. These two distances make it possible to choose the route length you prefer, without specifying a walking time.
Trails between wine country and Pohorje
The Ruška Vinska Pot is a 2.5-kilometre paved circular route. Along it are 24 wine cellars, six chapels, a gallery winery and an open-air viticulture museum. Access to the wine cellars is seasonal. At the start of the route stands a barrel with a capacity of 6,000 litres, not far from Hotel Veter. Every year, the baptism of the must takes place there on Martinovo; specific event arrangements may vary.
Other trails are distinguished by their waypoints and activities. The challenging Pot ob pravljični Lobnici hiking trail is 10 kilometres long and starts in Smolnik; check local trail conditions before setting out. The Pečke hiking trail starts in Ruše on Areška cesta and passes Kalvarija and the Dobnik Cross on its way to the hunting lodge at Pečke. The green Ruše–Martinca route offers a 3-kilometre walking trail and a 6-kilometre cycling route. The Drava Cycling Route also runs through Ruše.
The Ruško Pohorje also offers different seasonal options: Areh can be reached on foot or by bicycle in summer; skiing is possible there in winter. Check current winter conditions before basing your plans on them. The DiscGolf Park Ruše-Areh operates outside the ski season, expectedly from April to October, depending on winter conditions. Rowing is also possible on the Drava in Ruše; check locally on equipment and operators.
Cultural heritage and recurring events
Notable buildings include the summer theatre of Ruše, built in 1932. The water tower is listed in Slovenia's Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage. A building from the 18th century still stands next to the church; it once housed the Latin school. The Latin school of Ruše operated from 1645 to 1760—its history therefore predates the surviving school building.
Another historical trace is Stara glažuta, the oldest high-altitude glassworks, which operated in the Lobniška Valley above Šumik from 1692 to 1793. Ruše already existed as a settlement in Celtic and Illyrian times, around 400 BC. The Glazerjevi dnevi commemorate Janko Glazer and promote musical and literary creativity. The Letni or Ruše festival takes place every year in August and includes concerts, theatre performances, social events, exhibitions and food offerings. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the dates and programme for the relevant year.
Getting there and planning your trip
Ruše can be reached via the Maribor–Bistrica ob Dravi–Ruše road. A rail line connecting with Maribor and Carinthia runs through the town; bus services connect it with the neighbouring municipalities of Lovrenc na Pohorju and Selnica ob Dravi. The official timetable for the period from 14 June to 12 December 2026 lists the Maribor–Ruše–Prevalje rail connection and the return journey. Check the timetable before travelling. When planning, you can also consider whether you would like to focus on protected nature, trails of different lengths, or cultural and event themes.
Discover more destinations: Smolnik, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Kumen, Hrastnik, Trbovlje, Koper, Piran, Šmarje Pri Jelšah.
Go to the main travel overview: Slovenia.
