The miller’s trail

Every miller leads water to his mill, but we lead and invite you to the miller’s path. 

The Millers’ Path can be a pleasant family trip or an educational and fun walk in nature, combined with learning about the heritage of milling. The total length of the path is 10 km. The path is marked and suitable for independent tours. Bučka near Škocjan, the “pušl’c” of Dolenjska, an explained central settlement with a clustered core, is located on the ridge of the same-named hill at an elevation of 304 m. At the top of the hill, at Bučka’s highest point, stands the parish church of St. Matthias, which gives a characteristic stamp to the Bučka view, so the place is also clearly  visible from the Krško Plain, Raka, and Vinji Vrh. A few meters lower stands the church of St. Martin.  

Hikers at the starting point of the trail at Bučka will be greeted by the wish bell. Enjoy the nature and have a great time! The Millers’ Path begins at the church on Bučka  and leads into the valley to Košak’s mill, and then along the stream to Sedlar’s mill. The third mill on the path is the well-preserved Marjetič mill from the first half of the 19th century. Of the original three pairs of stones, driven by waterwheels, only one pair remains today. The mill used to grind  wheat, buckwheat, and barley, as it had three waterwheels that powered two millstones and a set of hammers. One millstone was used to grind white flour, while the other ground buckwheat and barley. Further along from Marjetič mill,  on the left bank of the stream, are Hrovat’s mill and sawmill. Today, the name Hrovat’s sawmill is more commonly used, as in 1908  the interior was converted into a sawmill, and later  a second sawmill was built, powered by a large waterwheel,  and it was used mainly for their own needs.

Take a break at the bend of the stream and enjoy a snack from your backpack. From here, our path leads across the meadow and along the trail to the village of Dolnje Radulje, where Vajs’s mill stands. This is the best-preserved and maintained of all nine mills in the Čolniščka valley, and it has been used several times as a backdrop for filming documentaries about the ethnological and architectural heritage of the surrounding areas. Next to the mill, a Venetian-style  sawmill is also preserved. You can visit the exterior of the mill, and by prior arrangement, the interior as well. After the visit, you can continue your journey past Remič’s mill,  which has been converted into a weekend house. The mill is now only symbolized by a millwheel, which the owner has placed on the back wall of the house. After World War II, the mill ceased operations.

After crossing the meadow and stream , you will climb through the forest to the hunting lodge and continue to Bučka, where the path will lead you past the school and back to St. Matthew’s Church. The area around Bučka and the municipality of Škocjan offers many other interesting sites worth visiting.  

You can visit, for example, the nearby Ethnological Park Zagraški log or refresh yourself at one of the local inns. Of course, no visit would be complete without trying the special local wine, cviček.  

For additional information and to make reservations, please contact the Tourist Association of Bučka at 041 556 484 or email: bucka@bucka.info.

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