Stage S3 Mursko Središće (HR) – Donji Vidovec (HR): From rich history of mining and gold panning to beauty of the Regional Mura Drava park

53km

4h

31%

Stage S2 Banovci (SI) – Mursko Središće (HR): Discover a natural and cultural heritage in a unique way

Stage S4 Donji Vidovec (HR) - Varaždin (HR): Discover the magic of Međimurje through diverse and beautiful scenery

Start your cycling holidays in Mursko Središće, the northernmost town in Croatia, also referred to as the “Miners’ Town”. Enjoy the diversity and rich natural beauty and cycle through many picturesque villages. Nature lovers will be particularly excited to enjoy the Regional nature park Mura and Drava, the floodplain forests along the Mura, habitats of diverse flora and fauna, many of which are rare species as well as many other valuable specimens of nature in Međimurje.

Stage map

Route profile

Length 53km

Time 4h

Starting point

End point

GPX file

Stage S3 of the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail begins in Mursko Središće and leads you through 50 kilometers long picturesque landscape of the rivers Mura and Drava, and lovely countryside. You will especially enjoy the pleasant nature of Regional park Mura Drava in the protected landscape of the river Mura which borders Croatia and Slovenia.

Explore the mining adventure

The starting point of stage S3 is in the center of Mursko Središće, which was a mining town a hundred years ago and is the northernmost town of Croatia. Take a look into the past of the city and its surroundings. What remains of mining to this day are the Memorial Centre of mining, the Miners' monument in the city center and the name "City of miners." The Promenade by the Mura river is an excellent place for refreshment and relaxation in one of the lounges by the river.

Enjoy the diversity along the Mura river

Going downstream along the Mura river, you will cycle on the International Mura bike route R2, passing the villages of Peklenica, where the first oil spring of the world can be found, Križovec, Miklavec, Podturen and Novakovec. In Križovec, Miklavec, Podturen, Novakovec and Domašinec you can access ferry boats to cross the Mura river, or simply enjoy the parts of humid habitats inside the floodplain forests, or stop to visit the Information Center of thePublic Institution for Nature Protection in Križovec, to find out more about the Mura and its floodplains, their flora and fauna. When heading out of the city, you may take a detour from the river bike trail and cross over to the northern route of the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail (Stage N2), or continue your cycle tour downstream.

The thrill of gold panning

After passing through charming villages further along the way you will continue towards Goričan border crossing with Hungary where you can visit the Regional tourism center and discover the rich history of the area. After Goričan the route leads you to Kotoriba and Donji Vidovec but before take a detour and relax by the Mura river at one of the resting areas with a self service station for bike repairs. This place enables you to enjoy exceptional views of the river Mura. At the end of the Stage S3 of Amazon of Europe Bike Trail visit the monument of nature – a Lucerne Oak in Donji Vidovec or discover the history of gold panning. Gold panning is as active as ever on the Mura and Drava sandbars, producing gold that is among the purest in the world.