The Dravinja River

The Dravinja River has been supplying life to the Dravinja Valley for millennia. It is the largest tributary of the Drava River in Slovenia, it springs as a torrent with several springs south of the beautiful Rogla on Pohorje, at an altitude of about 1200 meters.

A river that inspires creativety

When the Dravinja River forcefully enters small Zreče, it is still rather wild, the characteristic that used to make it a great source of energy and inspiration for numerous mills. This is how the ethnological specialty, Ošlak's blacksmithery, was created. Later on the river calms down and persistently winds along the valley, across Slovenske Konjice and further to the south, where its riverbed and associated river banks are home to fish, birds, butterflies, dragonflies and other animals.

Did you know?

• A good portion of the Dravinja River and the plain along it is included in the Natura 2000 protected area.
• The ecosystem of the river has preserved the remains of the former common oak forests and wet meadows.
• The bare river banks in sandy-loamy alluviums are ecologically important, since the kingfisher nests there. It is one of the most beautiful, but unfortunately rare bird species.
• The total length of the river is 73 km, and all its tributaries measure 1361 km in length.
• Due to its floody nature, the Dravinja River is regulated on the plains, and several flood dikes have been built along it.

A tip for a trip:

You will encounter the Dravinja River as part of the Prežigal Waterway Educational Trail and the Petelinjek Natural Science Educational Trail.