Ribniško Pohorje Mountain- Ski Resort and Ribniška koča Hut
Region | Carinthia Statistical Region |
Starting point | Ribniška koča Hut parking lot |
Route length | 900 m (0.9 miles) |
route duration | 1h |
Best time to visit | spring, summer, early autumn |
Appropriate for | Baby Carriers , 3-6 years of age , 6+ years of age |
Level of difficulty | Moderately demanding route |
Route Description
This trip will be an adventure for the whole family! Ribniško jezero Lake is an interesting phenomenon, as it is a 8,000 year-old moor lying at a high altitude on a slope east of Ribniški vrh hilltop.
This unusual natural phenomenon has been on our road trip bucket list for quite a while. We sorted our 2-day accommodation in the town of Ribnica na Pohorju, which was also a starting point for exploring the Carinthian-Styrian region. This way, we fulfilled our wish of visiting this Slovenian gem with the whole family.
Ribniško jezero Lake is a 8,000 year-old moor lying at a high altitude (1,490 metres/4,888 feet) on a slope east of Ribniški vrh Hill. Dwarf pines and swampy ground characterize the landscape, which is surrounded by spruce-fir forest. The lake is situated on Jezerski vrh hilltop in the Ribniško Pohorje Hills and fills up with rainwater only. It is 84 meters (275 feet) long, up to 40 meters (131 feet) wide and 0.6-1 meters (1-3 feet) deep. Three smaller marshy lakes, which are 10 meters (32 feet) wide, lie 20 to 40 meters in the southwest and southeast direction. The lake is protected as a forest reserve (Natura 2000), and its vegetation is a combination of dwarf pines and peat mosses. The bottom of the lake is overgrown with moss, and on the southern shore of the lake, peat grows up to 2 meters (6 feet) deep under water. Beneath it is a layer of black peat humus about 2 meters (6 feet) thick, followed by yellowish-brown sand. At about 3 meters (9 feet) deep, solid rock begins.
The trail to the lake is easy and undemanding, and the nearest starting point is below Ribniška koča Hut, which lies at an altitude of 1,530 meters (5,019 feet) above sea level. The walk to the lake takes about 30 minutes in one direction and is suitable for small children, since our 3-year-old daughter walked the trail on her own. There are many benches along the way, if anyone needs a rest.
You can leave your car at a small grassy parking lot, just below Ribniška koča Hut. At the end of the trip, you can stop by the hut and fill your belly with delicious hot dishes.
The path to Ribniško jezero Lake begins with a slight ascent to a meadow. After about 10 minutes, you arrive to Jezerski vrh hilltop, where a large monument to the victims of the National Liberation War stands and a beautiful view of the neighbouring peaks and valleys opens.
After a slight descent, you come across nature reserve signs, and further on a wooden-plank path leads right up to the lake, where you can enjoy the view in peace (if you do not have small children with you of course ;)). If the legend about the lake Merman (“Jezernik”) is true, we certainly chased him away with our kids screaming and you have nothing to fear anymore ;).
Interesting Facts
An old legend talks about this lake, where the Merman (“Jezernik”) lives. He allegedly moved to the lake from Mount St. Ursula (Uršlja gora) when the bells from a newly built church drove him away because they disturbed his peace.
Children listen to the story...
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Ribniška koča
The hut is a part of the Slovenian mountain trail, and in summer, you can reach it by car along the 9 kilometre- (5 miles) long local road from the town of Ribnica na Pohorju. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy good food and a beautiful view. It can be quite lively here, as this is an extremely popular mountain lodge.
In the first half of the 20th century, a well-known Maribor merchant and the founder and co-owner of the Maribor textile factory "Hutter & drug" Josip Hutter built a holiday villa on the site of the hut. During World War II (October 9, 1942), the Pohorje Battalion partisans burnt it down so that the German army could not use it as its outpost. A new mountain lodge was built later on.
Hudi kot 24,
2364 Ribnica na Pohorju
+386 2 876 82 46
Vita, Olja and Juna Recommend
Aunt Lena’s Farm (Turistična kmetija Tete Lene)
A visit to this place is very interesting, for families especially! Upon your return from Ribniško jezero Lake, stop by the farm, spend an hour or two with aunt Lena and feel the calm pulse of the countryside. Try your hand at farm chores and, while walking around, feed the sheep, pick medicinal herbs, mushrooms and listen to the aunt’s rich experiences.
Homemade spruce jam and many other home craft products (soaps, lip balms and creams) tempted us, so we did not leave the farm empty handed. You may visit by calling beforehand; a guided tour costs 5 EUR/person.
Ribnica na Pohorju 79
2364 Ribnica na Pohorju
+386 31 224 655