Gospodična Mountain Hut and Gospodična Spring

The Gorjanci hills rise to the south-east of Novo Mesto and form the border with Croatia, a long, forested ridge covered with beech woods and dotted with vineyards on the lower slopes. Gospodična is a mountain hut on the slopes of the range, within reach of the town, and it is one of the most popular destinations for local walkers. The hut sits at a little over 800 metres, high enough to look over the broad basin of Novo Mesto and the Krka river, and on clear days the view extends toward the Kamnik Alps and the peaks of the Julian Alps in the far distance.

The hut is a traditional mountain inn, with a wooden terrace and rooms where visitors can sit and eat. The food is simple and filling, based on home-made dishes, bread from the oven and local specialities, and the drinks include regional wines. Cviček, the light, tart red wine typical of Lower Carniola, is the best-known, and the hut also serves juices and herbal drinks. It is a good place to stop after a walk, and in winter, when the hills are frosty, the warm interior is especially welcome.

A short walk from the hut leads to the Gospodična Spring, a source of clear water that has a reputation among locals as sweet and refreshing. The spring is linked to local folk tradition, and the writer Janez Trdina, who lived in Novo Mesto in the nineteenth century and collected stories from the Gorjanci hills, wrote about the legends and strange beings that were said to haunt these woods. His tales of fairies, giants and hidden treasure are still known to Slovene schoolchildren, and visiting the spring gives you a feeling for the landscape in which they are set.

The area is also suited to families and active visitors. Marked trails lead to Trdinov Vrh, the highest point in the Gorjanci, and to other viewpoints and hamlets, and the paths are popular with mountain bikers as well as walkers. Nearby there is a children's play area and a learning trail, which make a visit easy with young children. Lower down, the Krka river offers Kayak and boat tours and Swimming locations, while the Trška Gora Hill, with its 400-year-old linden tree and small wine cellars, is another local favourite. Opening times of the hut vary with the season, so check before setting out.