Veliki Šumik Waterfall

Veliki Šumik is the biggest waterfall on Pohorje, a roughly twenty-five-metre cascade that drops in a series of steps through a narrow, dark ravine in the forest above Lovrenc na Pohorju. It is reached through the Šumik primeval forest, one of the best-preserved areas of old-growth woodland in the region, where beech, fir and spruce grow to a great size and fallen trunks are left to rot. Because the forest has been left alone for so long, the valley feels very different from the managed woodlands around it, with deep moss, ferns and a cool, damp atmosphere.

The walk to the waterfall follows the Lobnica stream, along the Šumik Waterfall Trail. The path starts near the car park at Pri Bajgotu and climbs steadily through the ravine, crossing the water on bridges and following wooden steps and boardwalks in the steeper sections. It is more strenuous than an ordinary forest walk, with uneven ground, wet roots and stones that become slippery after rain, so good footwear and a reasonable level of fitness are needed. The round trip takes between one and two hours, depending on how often you stop. The sound of running water builds as you approach, and the waterfall appears suddenly as the path rounds a bend.

The cascade itself drops over a succession of ledges, and spray hangs in the air, cooling the surroundings even on hot days. Smaller falls, including Mali Šumik, appear along the stream on the way, and the pools and rapids between them are as attractive as the main drop. The surrounding forest is a nature reserve, so visitors are asked to stay on the paths, keep noise low and avoid picking plants. In winter, the falls partly freeze and the trail is icy, and in spring, snowmelt gives the stream extra force.

The area has other points of interest that give it historical depth. The Partisan hospital Jesen, hidden in the forest, recalls the use of the Pohorje woods as a refuge during the Second World War, and the Silent Lake (Falski tajhti) is a small pond with a calm atmosphere. The Lobnica Primeval Forest and the Lobnica Stream are part of the same protected landscape. The waterfall suits walkers who enjoy a bit of challenge, and combining it with a picnic at the end of the trail makes a good half-day outing from Maribor or Rogla.