Holiday apartment in Rigelj pri Ortneku: Landscape, trails and culture

Rigelj pri Ortneku is part of the Slemena landscape. It is considered a hilly area with panoramic views and small, clustered villages. The Turistična kmetija Oblak has a special connection to the rural surroundings: it is run and further developed by the family. The aim is to preserve a farm with a long tradition and make the surrounding nature accessible to visitors. The tourism strategy of the Municipality of Ribnica names the Turistična kmetija Oblak in Rigelj pri Ortneku as the establishment with the largest range of offerings among the municipality’s four tourist farms.

Landscape

In the wider regional area lies the area around the source of the Ribnica, which is included in the European ecological network Natura 2000. Visible remains of a fish farm and a weir operated in the last century have also been preserved at this source. Protected nature and traces of former use thus meet in the same regional landscape.

Culture

The history of the surrounding area is also evident at several sites. In the wider regional area, Ortnek Castle, also known as Ortneški Stari grad, was built in the early 14th century on the 765-metre-high viewing hill of Veliki Žrnovec near Hudi Konec. Grmada is an 887-metre-high hill above Vrh pri Poljanah in the Mala gora mountain range. During the Ottoman incursions in the 15th and 16th centuries, Grmada was an important strategic defensive point.

Rigelj pri Ortneku was one of the eleven villages studied by the Muzej Ribnica in 2014 as part of an ethnological study of the Slemena region. In the same year, the village was part of the Muzej Ribnica’s ethnological field research into the built heritage of the Slemena region. Houses were documented using questionnaires and recording forms, and conversations were recorded.

Getting around

Several marked trails lead through the wider regional area. The Kolesarjenje po kraški planoti Slemena cycling route runs via Gašpinovo, Rigelj and Maršiči. Along a forest path, it is marked as a walking trail. The marked Slemenska krožna pot is approximately 21 kilometres long in its basic version and is also suitable for hiking.

Rigelj pri Ortneku is listed as a nearby point on the marked Velike Lašče–Kamen vrh hiking route. It is also listed as a nearby point on both the Žimarice–Mlake GPS track and the Ponikve–Kamen vrh GPS track.

In the wider regional area, a marked, 7-kilometre-long and easy circular trail runs over asphalt and gravel surfaces. There is a hut at the summit of Grmada that is open on weekends. In good weather, the view extends to Snežnik, the Julian Alps, the Karawanks and the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. A trail with yellow-red or yellow markings on signs and trees also passes the former buildings of the castle and the church; information boards stand alongside it. A well-marked route leads through easy terrain and is also suitable for a family outing.

Regional cuisine

The Municipality of Ribnica’s regional surroundings also have their own dishes. Ribn’ška trojka is a stew made from local red Ribn’čan beans, potatoes and turnip; carrot can also be added if desired. Ribn’ška povanca is a sweet dish whose main ingredients are homemade milk, butter and cream.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Rigelj pri Ortneku, you can compare the displayed offers. Open the individual listings and check the details directly on the respective offer page before making your decision.

More location pages

More location pages: Glažuta, Retje, Draga, Blate, Ribnica, Sodražica, Hrib-Loški Potok.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ribnica.