It was about time to visit this MTB paradise in northern Slovenia! Here, in the hills around Mt. Peca, the Strucl family is creating a very special MTB story which is full of positive energy, respect for the nature, love for this region and dedication to mountain biking. The 'father' of the project Dusan 'Dixi' Strucl has been developing the idea about MTB tourism the last 20 years and his son Anej is successfully continuing the project. They now run a MTB friendly Ekohotel, their own single trail park, specialized MTB tourist agency and several other mountain biking related products and events in Slovenia.
Here is how the trails around Mt. Peca 'greeted' us. :) 
 
 This is the home of the Strucl family. Their Ekohotel or farmstay Koroš is located on a lonely and sunny location just on the border between Slovenia and Austria. Apart from comfortable lodging and great home made food they offer everything a mountain biker can ask for: bike storage room, rental of high quality full suspension bikes, information about biking in the region, you can rent a guide, get shuttle transfers in the region and even bike in their own single trail park around the farm.
Three very friendly generations of the Strucl family will make sure your stay at their farm will be absolutely amazing. Here they are (from left to right): Dixi is the 'father' of the project; Suzana is the CEO of the tourist mine Peca Underground at her 'day job' and of course helps at home in the afternoons and on weekends; Klara is the young boss in the kitchen and she is currently carrying another future mountain biker in her belly; Ivo is the small & happy crown prince; Luna (the dog) is chief security officer; Anej is the best MTB guide and the young driving force of this great MTB destination.
We have spent 2 days at the Koroš farm. On the first day we were riding the trails in their single-trail park around the farm, which offered amazing fun between the blueberry bushes and a stunning introduction to this biking region.
On the second day we headed to the town of Mežica and explored the abandoned lead and zinc mine by bike. 5 kilometers and 2 hours spent underground was an excellent, fun, educational and 'different' tour, suitable for anyone.
 
From Mežica we had to bike back to the Koroš farm. We biked along small gravel roads on both sides of the border, through the forests, across beautiful meadows and passed by several lonely farms.
 
The icing on the cake was the short and sweet descent though the blueberry bushes back to Koroš farm.
Such 'toys' are available for rent at Koroš farmstay. Specialized 29-inch monster! :)
Summary: We have spent far too little time in these hills to explore its best hidden secrets and get to know the whole mountain biking offer. The surrounding hills are criss-crossed with more than 1000 kilometers of biking roads and trails. Dixi and Anej know them as the back of their palms. Let them show you their own favorites!
Author: Miha Gantar, Maj 18th, 2015 | |
