Stage 08 Mur Cycle Path Bad Radkersburg - Legrad

In Slovenia and Croatia we choose the right bank of the Mur on the Mur Cycle Path: to do so, we cross the border directly in Bad Radkersburg at the main crossing point, and soon we find ourselves in Gornja Radgona, the Slovenian part of what was once a single town. Barely across the border, we are faced with the first big question: should we tackle the climb up to the castle that towers above the town, or not? Whatever we decide, the Murradweg leads us along Partizanska Cesta and onto Ljutomer Cesta towards Radenci. Our route takes us through the small villages of Mele and Šratovci to the well-known spa town of Radenci. Here, for the first time, there is an option to switch to the left bank of the Mur or to make a short loop back to Bad Radkersburg. Numerous springs in Radenci testify to the richness of its healthy thermal water. At both roundabouts in Radenci we take the second exit and continue straight towards Ljutomer.

Leaving the town, we ride along pleasant cycle paths through Rihtarovci, Turjanci, Hrastje-Mota, and Vučja Vas, reaching Stara Nova Vas after about 9 km. After the inn Gorica we turn left towards Veržej. Here we have two choices once again: to switch to the left bank of the Mur, or to visit the Babic Mill on the river. We remain on the right bank, passing the Banovci thermal spa, and soon cross a railway line. The route now continues towards Krapje, past the Bee Museum, to Razkrižje. Just before the village we keep to the right to enter it. At the large crossroads in the centre we go straight ahead towards the Gibina border crossing. At this junction lies the final opportunity in Slovenia to change banks. In Razkrižje / Gibina we should not miss making a well-deserved stop at the pumpkin seed oil mill and the nearby waterfall.

Continuing along the main road we soon arrive at the Gibina border crossing, the gateway to Croatia. After a few kilometres we reach Sveti Martin na Muri, where a mill-themed educational trail awaits, along with a ferry crossing over the Mur and the traditional mill of the Kiralj family, which is well worth a visit. Passing through the villages of Marof and Hlapicina we continue to Mursko Središče, where the visitor centre offers a mining heritage trail. The route then leads us through more small villages, fields, and forests, always close to the Mur, until we reach Podturen near the tripoint of Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. Here, the path turns southwards, continuing through a farming region dotted with charming villages until we arrive in Legrad, our final destination.

The Croatian section of the Mur is, in fact, a border river along its entire length – first with Slovenia and then with Hungary. This stretch also forms part of EuroVelo 13, the Iron Curtain Trail, which runs along the former Iron Curtain all the way from Finland to the Black Sea.