We will meet in Krašce
The village of Krašce is located not far from Moravče, looking over the valley of the Rača Stream. It got its name after its karst landscape. Every village in Slovenia bears a message from the past which merges centuries of experience of people who lived in coexistence with nature and the environment. This was the only way to survive. But rare are those villages that want to convey this message to future generations. The route starts at the fire station in Krašce; go south in the direction of Spodnji Tuštanj, where you will see an info panel . You can park your car across the street from the fire station or at the nearby Frfrau Inn .
With open eyes
Turn right to the village after a couple of metres, taking the middle path . The route is relatively well marked with signposts. A mill wheel will give you directions on the route . The Javornik House is one of the two old stone houses in Krašce . The old stone portal of the homestead boasts a new entrance door made from solid wood . The back of the house is interesting too . At the hayrack behind the house, the route, which goes along cattle pens, starts descending towards the Rača Stream .
Towards the Mecetov Mill
There are only ruins now in the place where the once mighty Mecetov Mill used to stand . The mill was first owned by the lord of the Tuštanj Castle. The commercial building , the millrace and the laundry spot have been preserved, while the hayrack has been reconstructed . Numerous hayracks in the surrounding countryside indicate that this area used to be the home of crafty carpenters (cimpermani). Carpentry in general is one of the oldest crafts in Slovenia. Just behind the hayrack along the Rača Stream, there is an overhanging rock and the entrance in the Majcetova Cave . The cave is a result of a tectonic fault, the evidence of which can be clearly seen on the ceiling. The spacious entrance gets narrow quickly and the cave ends with impassable shafts leading into an underground world hidden from human eyes. Make a climb to the steep bank of the Rača Stream.
Wavy karst landscape
There is a small karst sinkhole opposite the crucifix (cross) . Crucifixes used to be put up as signs of gratitude, remembrance or as reminders of events which should never happen again. On the pasture , one can see a small collapsed sinkhole filled up with rocks . Through the landscape in which forests and meadows are taking turns, you will get to a large glade. Cross it through the middle and turn right from the hunting lookout and continue into the forest to the wooden gate near the Mohorjev Mill. You will return to the gate when you complete the western part of the route.
Up, down and around the gorge of the Rača Stream
The Mohorjev Mill still has its original equipment . Cross the Rača Stream at the mill and again take a climb up its steep bank . On the top, the Videgar Homestead is located with a collection of old artefacts , , , a model of a saw and a mill , and much more. If the residents are at home, they will gladly show you around. Descend again towards the Rača Stream through the wooden gate . Because of the steep banks, there are no major complexes of alder and ash forests there. Beehive-like stands of hornbeam stretch all the way to the stream . Hornbeam poles used to be cut down for bundles. The Vehovčev Mill is the westernmost point of the route. Cross the bridge , climb the bank and descend back to the Mohorjev Mill.
Let's do some laundry
A large ladle welcomes thirsty hikers by the karst spring . The spring never runs dry and has a constant temperature. A wooden mill wheel can be seen in the middle of the valley . The laundry spot with washboards has also been preserved . Not so long ago, local housewives used laundry spots to rinse their laundry after hand-washing it at home. Return to the wooden gate past the Mohorjev Mill . Turn right before the bridge onto the path along the bank .
Towards St. Andrew
The abandoned Kižev Mill stands behind the impressive new house. There are no mill wheels, but the interior of the mill, including the equipment, has been preserved in full. The route continues on the macadam path along the Suha Valley below the steep slopes and the Church of St. Andrew. The valley was shaped by the water flow. A small stream occasionally runs along the left edge of the valley. It springs out from a water cave beneath the Church of St. Andrew and runs into the Rača Stream near the Kižev Mill. A steep path on the slope branches off to the left, leading to the Church of St. Andrew . If you want to take a look at the church with antique frescos , ask the Kosmač family, who lives by the church, to give you the key. Across the Suha Valley , you will reach the first houses in the village of Krašce .
In Krašce again
Two old farmhouses have been preserved in the village . The year 1897 is written above the entrance doors of one of the houses . A little bit further from the old farmhouse you will be welcomed by a gigantic linden tree and old orchards, which are also called high-trunk or meadow orchards . Since treetops were high above the ground, cattle could be pastured there. In this way, the orchard also served as pastureland or meadow.
On the short journey, you listened to the whisper of nature, observed, smelled, touched and also tasted things. Just think about this – how many things would you have missed had we not pointed them out to you? We should explore our local environment with all our senses...