Hiša Raduha

Raduha is both a mountain and a small settlement in the Upper Savinja Valley, in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps of northern Slovenia, close to Luče and the broad valley of Solčava. The mountain rises to more than two thousand metres as a long, grassy and rocky ridge, with alpine pastures on its slopes and a reputation as one of the most scenic viewpoints in the region. The country around it is high, green and sparsely populated, with isolated farms, forests and steep meadows that look much as they did a century ago, and it is the sort of place where people come to slow down.

Hiša Raduha is a family-run restaurant with guest accommodation in this setting. The name simply means the House of Raduha, and the place presents itself as a small, personal hospitality business rather than a large hotel. The kitchen is built on the produce of the valley, which has a strong tradition of mountain farming, with cheese, milk, cured meat, honey, herbs, forest fruit, mushrooms and trout from the streams. In this part of Slovenia, the valley's farmers keep hardy sheep and cattle on the high pastures in summer, and the Solčava area is known for its cheese and for a traditional sheep of its own breed. A restaurant of this type usually builds a seasonal menu around what is at hand, and aims to give guests a sense of place through food.

The accommodation is designed to fit into the landscape, and the property is known for lodgings that draw on the natural surroundings, such as small cabins or houses set in the trees and by the river. The guest experience is unhurried, with evenings spent over dinner and mornings that begin with a walk. Because details of the menu, the rooms and the booking arrangements change, and because small restaurants in remote valleys often work by reservation only, it is important to contact the house directly well ahead of a visit.

The surrounding countryside offers good walking and cycling. The Solčava Panoramic Road, the Logar Valley and the alpine pastures such as Planina Loka are within reach, and paths lead up to the ridge of Raduha for far views over the Alps. The Savinja river is a good place for quiet fishing and paddling, and in winter the hills are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The place suits couples, small groups and food lovers who enjoy remote settings and who are happy to take things slowly. A car is needed to reach it, since public transport is limited, and mountain roads can be narrow and affected by snow in winter.