The green giant over Maribor is covered with streams, small rivers and waterfalls. Because of the impervious stone the water from Pohorje flows over the ground, forming the most abundant water system in Slovenia. Springs and streams join together and form larger channels running towards the valley in steep ditches.
The biggest among them are Lobnica, Bistrica, Dravinja and Mislinja, which are considered to be rivers. The Lobnica boasts two extraordinary waterfalls, the Big and the Small Šumik, which are the most beautiful in Slovenia!
To the Šumik waterfall, which is 25 meters high, leads a marked tourist path. From Ruše we can follow the river along the valley upwards or we can take the forest road from Areh to Bajgot. You can visit Lobnica and the primeval forest of Šumik on the way from Maribor to Ruše, there onward to Smolnik and to the mountain hostel Koča na Šumiku. From there you have a thirty minute walk to the primeval forest with waterfalls, rare plants and with a view of the remarkable geomorphologic formations as well as fauna. You can also get to Lobnica and Šumik from the direction of Maribor Pohorje, more precisely to Areh and from there to the mountain hostel Koča na Šumiku, from there on foot to the primeval forest.
The stream Verna with wonderful cascades in the lower parts joins the stream Lobnica. Among the most interesting streams on Pohorje is also the stream Bistrica, located on the Slovenska Bistrica's part of Pohorje. The natural heritage of the Bistrica valley is worth seeing, including the Roman marble quarry at its start.
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