Mengeš: Church, Culture and Hiking Trails

Mengeš combines church art and local history with hiking trails around the town and cycling routes through it. If you are looking for a hotel in Mengeš, these different highlights may play a role in planning your stay: they range from the Church of Sv. Mihael and the town museum to a hike to Rašica and named cycling routes.

The Church of Sv. Mihael and Local History

The Church of Sv. Mihael, known in German as the Church of St. Michael, is considered worth visiting and brings together several art-historical features. The present-day altar area was built in the mid-15th century in the Gothic style. The frescoes in the presbytery date from around 1460 and are attributed to the workshop of Janez Ljubljanski. The church also contains a baptismal font designed by Jože Plečnik. Here, you can encounter both older church art and a work by the Slovenian architect Plečnik in one place.

The history of the surrounding area also goes back a long way: archaeological finds from prehistoric, Roman, and Slavic periods have been discovered in the area around Mengeš. The Mestni muzej Mengeš houses archaeological and ethnological collections, as well as a collection of musical instruments. Instrument making is also part of the local cultural heritage: musical instruments made in small workshops in Mengeš are particularly well known today. The church, museum, finds, and craft traditions therefore offer different starting points for a culture-focused stay.

Hiking around Mengeš and to Rašica

There are numerous hiking trails around Mengeš. For the hike to Rašica (Stane Kosec Peak), the recommended starting point is the Mengeška koča on Gobavica. The route connects two mountain huts, runs entirely through the forest, and has no exposed sections.

In good weather, the observation platform on the tower at Rašica offers views of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, the Karawanks, the Julian Alps, and the lower hills around Ljubljana. Visibility therefore also depends on weather conditions. Together with the forest hike described above, this provides a clear link between a route starting at the Mengeška koča and the summit with its tower.

Getting to the Mengeška koča and refreshments

From Ljubljana, you can reach the Mengeška koča by bus to the Mengeš Pavovec stop. From there, follow the signposts either along the road or via the fitness trail to the hut. As transport details may change, it is advisable to check the timetable before setting off. There is also a signposted paved parking area below the hill. From there, you can reach the hut via a trim trail or a steeper forest path; access conditions may also change.

At the Mengeška koča, children can feed and observe goats, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, chickens, and friendly horses. The availability of these animals may change, so check before your visit. Warm stews and homemade cold-cut platters are available for refreshments. On weekends, lunch is served with traditional Slovenian dishes. The food on offer may also change.

Cycling routes through Mengeš

The regional Kamnik–Mengeš–Trzin–Ljubljana cycling route passes through the center of Mengeš and the settlement of Loka pri Mengšu. The Domžalski slamnik cycling route also passes through Mengeš. This route is listed as 49.4 kilometers long, with 280 meters of elevation gain, and rated difficult.

Whether you are more interested in art and history in Mengeš or in hiking and cycling, you can plan these different activities separately as part of your stay.

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