Hrastnik: Hiking Trails, Culture and Regional History

Hrastnik combines the Pot SREČNO themed hiking trail with nature and industrial heritage. Of the route’s total length of 29.7 kilometres, 9.3 kilometres lie within the municipality of Hrastnik. This provides a range of route lengths and themes that can be easily compared when planning an individual excursion.

Nature

Pot SREČNO passes through the municipalities of Laško, Hrastnik, Trbovlje and Zagorje ob Savi. The trail runs mostly through nature and includes preserved objects and exhibits from the region’s industrial heritage. In the municipality of Hrastnik, Kopitnik is a starting point for hikes to Gore, Kal, Turje, Rimske Toplice and Zidani Most.

Among the areas of botanical significance is a botanically important site with around 200 plant species. Illyrian and Alpine habitats meet there; due to its rare and endangered habitat types, the site is part of Natura 2000.

Culture

In the local community of Steklarna Hrastnik, near the petrol station, there is a Roman settlement dating from the 1st to the 4th century. Villa de Seppi in Hrastnik was built after the model of Miramar Castle near Trieste. The Hočijeva Gallery occasionally displays works by the painter Leopold Hočevar, who was born in Hrastnik.

Mlakarjevo stanovanje is designated as a cultural monument of local significance and preserves two rooms of a former miner’s apartment in an old mining colony. The Hrastnik Museum is housed in a former German school building. Its collections cover archaeology, glassmaking, the chemical industry, coal mining and puppetry.

There is a chapel in front of the Barbara mine tunnel. Another church is located in the centre of Hrastnik and was built in 1936.

Events

The annual Sovretov pohod begins at Hrastnik railway station or at the Dolanka sports hall in Dol pri Hrastniku. The easy route leads to Šavna Peč, the birthplace of Anton Sovre. Hrastkov dan is an annual children’s and family festival in Hrastnik featuring inflatable castles, creative workshops and presentations by local associations.

The Hrastnik Trail takes place on Kal planina. The running competitions start and finish there; organised hikes are also offered. Jamatlon is an obstacle event held underground in a mine between Hrastnik and Trbovlje twice a year, in June and December.

Rdeči revirji is an international festival of performing arts held in Hrastnik, Trbovlje and Zagorje ob Savi; it is also planned to take place in Litija. Featuring street theatre, dance and circus, the festival brings the mining heritage to life.

Water and Swimming

The Center vodnih športov offers tourists organised rafting trips on the Sava. Hrastnik also has an indoor 25-metre swimming pool that is open in the afternoons for recreational swimming and other swimming activities.

Regional Cuisine

Funšterc, also known as knapovsko sonce, is a dish from the Zasavje region. Krumpantoč, also known as Krumpatoč or Krumpentoč, is an old speciality of glassworkers that later spread to other parts of Zasavje.

To the main travel overview: Municipality of Hrastnik.