Ruška planinska koča

Ruška planinska koča is a mountain hut on the high plateau of Areh, on the Pohorje range above the town of Ruše in northeastern Slovenia, at an altitude of roughly 1,200 metres. The word ruška in the name simply means of Ruše, the town in the Drava valley below, and the hut is one of the traditional goals for people who live in and around Maribor and want a day in the hills. It stands near the pilgrimage church of Sveti Areh and is one of the points from which the plateau is explored, so it makes a natural stop on almost any walk in this part of Pohorje.

Slovenian mountain huts are a distinctive institution. Most were built and are looked after by the mountaineering clubs of the country, and they serve walkers, skiers and cyclists as a place to rest, eat, sleep and shelter from the weather. Even a hut in gentle country like Pohorje follows the same customs. You can expect a wooden interior with a warm stove, plain wooden tables and benches, and a menu of hearty mountain food: a thick soup or stew, sausages with sauerkraut, buckwheat dishes, homemade strudel and plenty of tea and coffee. Prices are modest and portions are generous. The staff generally know the trails well and are happy to advise on routes and conditions, and the hut offers a friendly place to meet other walkers. Opening times can be limited outside the main seasons, and some huts close on certain days or in bad weather, so check before you set out, particularly if you plan to stay overnight, and book ahead for groups and busy weekends.

Pohorje is a broad range of rounded, forested ridges, covered with spruce and beech and dotted with meadows and bogs, and the landscape around the hut is typical. Marked paths lead through the woods to viewpoints over the Drava valley, to the church of Sveti Areh, and across the plateau to other huts and summits. Cyclists use the forest roads, and in winter the area is a quiet place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The air is cooler than in the valley, and the weather can change quickly, so bring a warm layer and a waterproof jacket even on a fine morning.

The hut is close to other places that families enjoy. The Church of Sveti Areh is the historic centrepiece of the plateau, the Natural spring near Church of Sveti Areh is a traditional stop for walkers, and the Areh Motion Park (Gibalni park Areh) offers play and adventure activities for children.

It suits walkers, cyclists, families and anyone who likes a simple meal in the hills. Carry cash in case card payment is not available. Whether you come for lunch or a night, Areh’s hut is easy to like. From the terrace there are views into the Drava Valley.