Slovenia is rich in water, caves, and natural attractions. The Mezica mine combines these three, as you can cycle in the dry level and kayak in the wet level of the former mine! It was closed in the mid-'90s, later opened for the public as a tourist attraction - and soon, it became one of the best natural sights in the country.
You can also explore two levels of the family-friendly cave system. The dry cycling section is 500 meters, while the wet-kayaking section is 700 meters below the surface.
In addition to the active programs, you can see the remains of the former mine by train in the mining museum.
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Quick Details
| Mezica mine | Details |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Location | Mezica village (Northern Slovenia) |
| Address | Glančnik 8, 2392 Mežica, Slovenia |
| Distance from Ljubljana | 2 hours / 120 km |
| Slovenian name | Podzemlje Pece, podjetje za razvoj turistične in Muzejske dejavnosti, d.o.o. |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Experience? | No need |
| Min age? | 10 yrs |
| Equipments | Included in the price |
| Season | Jan - dec (every day) |
| Opening hours | Booking in advance |
| Prices | 12 - 100 euro |
| Barrier-free? | No |
| Dog-friendly? | No |
| Website | Website |
Photos
Map - Where is Mezica mine?
Address, map, entrance, parking, distance, approach
The mine is located on a mountain called Peca in the northern part of Slovenia. It belongs to the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. It belongs to Mezica village. As the mine is quite close to the Austrian border, it is not uncommon for tourists from Styria to also come through Austria.
It is located about 120 km from Ljubljana and can be reached by highway. Of the larger cities in the north, it is easily accessible.
- Distance to Maribor: 1.5 hours / 100 km
- Distance to Celje: 1.5 hours / 70 km
- Distance from Ljubljana: 2 hours / 120 km
Parking
You can park in front of the mine for free. There are about 10 spaces in the designated parking lot. The entrance can be approached from here.
- Parking coordinates: 46.512501, 14.855900
- Address: Mezica mine, Glančnik 8, 2392 Mežica, Slovenia
Mount Peca
Ore was mined on and around Peca Mountain, bringing over 19 million tons of ore to the surface in nearly 300 years. A huge network and grooves were built inside the mountain to do this. Today, more than 800 kilometres of underground trails lie below the surface.
The mine closed not so long ago, only in the late 1990s. It has been operating as a tourist attraction since 1997. The cave system, which can still be visited, can be seen with a simple tourist ticket (using the mine rail).
The terrain's unevenness and slippery terrain also provide excitement for experienced cyclists. Fortunately, you can’t get lost, as you will be guided by a local tour guide down.
Prices
You can go kayaking and cycling in the mine with a tour guide as part of a group tour. All three tours must be booked in advance (museum, kayak, and bike tours). The tours start with a minimum of 2 people!
- Visitor's ticket, adult: 12 euros
- Visiting ticket, kids: 9 euros
- Bicycle tour: 30 - 50 euros
- Kayak tour: 50 euros
Opening hours
The mine is open every day, all year round (winter and summer). As we wrote earlier, you must book each group in advance!
| Tours | Days | Times |
| Mining museum | Tuesday, Sunday | 10:00 |
| Kayak tours | M - S | 09:00, 11:00 |
| Bike tours | M - S | 10:00, 14:00 |
Groups start with a minimum of 2 people, and there can be no more than ten people. The organisers also ask that you arrive 15 minutes before the departure of the tour!
How difficult are the tours?
Neither cycling nor kayaking is strenuous. Easy, convenient programs that require no previous experience. You will be guided by a tour guide during all programs; hence you can only register for the program by pre-booking.
Underground bike tours
The bike tour takes place on flat terrain in a walkable area that is approx. 6 km long. The altitude difference is less than 20 meters. Suitable for families with kids as well. The mine will provide all the necessary types of equipment.
- Tour duration: 2.5 hours
- Hiking difficulty: easy
- Minimum age: 10 years
Underground kayak tours
Once the Mezica mine was closed, the water in the mine was no longer drained, so it flowed into the trenches, creating a contiguous lake.
In Mezica, a mining train at the Glancnik Mining Museum takes you to the mining system 3.5 km away in less than half an hour. After a short walk, kayaks are inside the mine to paddle around the lakes.
At the end of the kayak program, visitors can also sample the traditional miner’s dishes (buckwheat porridge, rye bread, bacon, and latte).
- Tour duration: 4 hours
- Hiking difficulty: easy
- Minimum age: 10 years
Equipment and clothing
The price includes all equipment:
- helmet
- headlight
- bicycle
- kayaking clothes
What you should pay attention to are the right clothes and comfortable shoes. The mine has 10 degrees in winter and summer.
Black Hole - MTB tour
The video here was made in the "Black Hole," an advanced bike ride in the mine. This tour is not the same as the earlier mentioned bike tour.