Hiking trail BOLFENK – Skalce / Fram Waterfall

The 16-meter-high waterfall and the stream that flows all the way down to the lowlands are located just off the regional road Hoče–Areh–Bellevue/Bolfenk.

The stream winds through pristine natural surroundings all the way to the village of Fram. In the past, it played an important economic role — with flour milling, sawmilling, and oil pressing once thriving along its course, giving the area its distinct character.

You can reach the waterfall either on foot or by car. It is located near the intersection of the Areh–Bolfenk/Bellevue road, where you’ll also find a few parking spaces available.

If you choose to hike from our resort, it takes about 45 minutes along a relatively gentle forest trail. Along the way, you’ll pass Mariborska Koča, one of the oldest mountain lodges on Pohorje — a perfect spot to pause and enjoy panoramic views over the Drava Valley, Boč, and Donačka Gora.

From there, it’s just another 15-minute walk to the waterfall.

ROZKA’S Forest Educational Trail

Embark on a journey through the serene woodlands of Mariborsko Pohorje with Rozka’s Forest Educational Trail. This 3-kilometre circular path, established in 1981 under the guidance of forestry engineer Rozka Debevec-Lesjak, offers an immersive experience into the diverse ecosystems of the Pohorje forests. Starting near the upper station of the Pohorje cable car, the trail meanders past the historic Church of St. Bolfenk, ascends to the panoramic Razglednik viewpoint, and loops back via the Železničarski dom. Marked by distinctive spruce symbols and blue-yellow trail markers, the route features 17 informative stations that delve into topics such as forest ecology, sustainable forestry practices, and the region’s rich biodiversity. Suitable for all ages, the trail can be completed in about an hour, or extended to three hours with guided tours led by forestry experts. Rozka’s Forest Educational Trail not only honors the legacy of its namesake but also serves as a living classroom, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship

The trail starts at the upper station of the Pohorje Cable Car, located just 300 meters from our resort. To the left of the station stands the charming church of St. Bolfenk. Right beside it, you’ll find two unique natural landmarks — the highest-altitude chestnut tree in the region and a multi-trunk beech tree — both impressive sights at the very beginning of your walk. And they’re just the start — natural wonders line the entire trail.

The path is well-marked, and you can scan a trail map at the reception of the Wellness & Spa Hotel Bolfenk. It’s suitable for couples, seniors, and families alike, and the full walk takes about one hour at a relaxed pace.

Hiking path Bolfenk – Mariborska koča – Areh

If you’re looking for a pleasant yet slightly longer hiking experience, the trail from Bolfenk to Mariborska Koča and onward to Areh is an excellent choice.

From Pohorje Village Wellbeing Resort to Mariborska Koča, the walk takes approximately 40 minutes along a well-marked trail. The path leads past the Church of St. Bolfenk and winds through the scenic Pohorje forests.

From Mariborska Koča to Ruška Koča at Areh, you’ll need an additional 70 minutes of walking. Altogether, plan for about 1 hour and 50 minutes of hiking in one direction.

Along the way, you can take a break at Mariborska Koča, which offers beautiful panoramic views of Mount Boč and Donačka Gora.

Guesthouse cottages and mountain lodges on Pohorje

• Koča Koča (Zg. postaja Pohorske vzpenjače)
• Mariborska koča (1068 m)
• Ruška koča (1246 m)
• Koča Cojzarica
• Hotel Jakec Trije Kralji
• Osankarica
• Koča na Pesku (1386 m)
• Ribniška koča (1507 m)
• Grmovškov dom pod Veliko Kopo (1377 m)
• Koča pod Kremžarjevim vrhom (1102 m)
• Klopni vrh.

Hiking path Bolfenk – Trikotna jasa

The trail begins at the upper station of the Pohorje Cable Car, which is just 300 meters from the resort. From there, follow the well-marked path that leads downhill along the slopes of Pohorje, through picturesque forests and meadows. The trail is suitable for all age groups, including families with children.

Trikotna Jasa is a popular scenic viewpoint offering stunning views of the city of Maribor and the surrounding wine-growing hills. There is also a mountain hut at the clearing where you can take a break and enjoy the peaceful nature.

Hiking time: approximately 45 to 60 minutes one way, depending on your pace and stops.

Hiking trail to the Black lake and Osankarica

The hike from Pohorje Village Wellbeing Resort to Osankarica takes approximately 4 hours one way and covers around 16 to 18 kilometers. It is a moderately demanding route, suitable for hikers with some experience. The trail begins at the upper station of the Pohorje Cable Car, located about 300 meters from the resort. From there, you head toward Areh, passing Mariborska Koča and Ruška Koča. The path continues through the scenic Pohorje forests, past Žigartov Vrh and Šumikov Vrh, all the way to Osankarica. Along the way, you can visit the Black Lake (Črno jezero) and the Pohorje Battalion Memorial, both located near the final destination. The trail is mostly well-marked, but we recommend bringing a map or GPS for easier navigation.

Guests who prefer a shorter route can drive to the Three Kings (Tri Kralji) area and start the hike to Osankarica from there. At the reception of the Wellness & Spa Hotel Bolfenk, guests staying at Pohorje Village Wellbeing Resort can receive a free voucher for the cable car ride to the Three Kings. This is a great option for those who want to experience the beauty of Pohorje with a bit less physical effort.

Hiking trail to unspoiled Primeval Forest with Veliki Šumik and Mali Šumik Waterfalls

Welcome to the untouched primeval forest. Be enchanted by some of the most remarkable natural wonders in the Pohorje Natural Park, accessible via numerous scenic hiking trails.

From Bolfenk, head in the direction of Areh, where a local trail leads toward Šumik. Follow the marked path from the Šumik plateau, also known as Pri Bajgotu — a pleasant excursion point with a rest area located at the confluence of the Črnava and Majland streams, which together form the Lobnica stream. From there, it’s just another 30 minutes on foot to reach the primeval forest. A short descent along the steep slopes of the Lobnica will bring you to the Veliki Šumik waterfall — one of the most powerful waterfalls in Slovenia — and a bit further down the trail, to Mali Šumik. The path between Veliki and Mali Šumik is considered very demanding.

From Bolfenk to the Veliki and Mali Šumik waterfalls, expect a hike of approximately 3 to 4 hours one way, depending on your pace and rest stops.

Trail difficulty: The route is rated as demanding, especially the section between the two waterfalls.

Equipment: We recommend using hiking poles, sturdy footwear with good grip, and caution when walking — certain parts of the trail can be slippery, particularly after rain.

For a shorter version of the hike, you can drive to Ruška Koča near Areh and start walking from there. This option takes about 2 hours one way.

Visiting the Pohorje primeval forest and the Veliki and Mali Šumik waterfalls is an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and hikers. Don’t forget to bring proper gear and be prepared for challenging terrain.

Hiking from Bolfenk – lakes Lovrenška jezera

The Lovrenška Lakes are one of the most enchanting natural attractions of Pohorje. This popular hiking and excursion destination can be visited in all seasons, as it offers a magical experience regardless of the weather.

Lovrenška Lakes form the largest high-elevation peat bog in Slovenia. They are located between Rogla and Ribniško Pohorje and consist of two parts, separated by a strip of forest. The bog began forming around 8,000 years ago as a mineral wetland after the last Ice Age. What makes it unique is that it has no inflows — it is fed exclusively by precipitation. The size and shape of its 20 small lakes vary with the amount of rainfall, yet even in summer they remain full, as the bog has a high capacity for water retention.

Access from Bolfenk to the Lovrenška bog is possible by hiking up to Razglednik and continuing along an easy hiking trail to Areh. The route takes you past Žigartov Vrh, Bajgotov Vrh, Šumikov Vrh, Matevž, Radovna, Treh Žebljev, Kladje, Brvni Vrh, and Zgornje Brvi, leading to the Koča na Pesku mountain hut. From there, it’s just a short hike over Sedlo to the Lovrenška Lakes. There, you can spend up to two hours walking across velvet-like meadows and mossy peat fields, observing peat pools, rare plant habitats, and even testing your navigation skills in nature — all while enjoying outstanding panoramic views. The full hike takes approximately 6 to 7 hours one way, depending on your pace and rest stops. The trail is also suitable for e-biking.

If you prefer a shorter route, you can drive to Rogla, Koča na Pesku, or the Three Kings area (the latter is recommended), and continue on foot from there. In this case, the hike to the lakes takes only about an hour and a half.

Hiking trail Bolfenk – Ribniška koča / Lake Ribniško jezero

Peat bogs with small lakes are among the most captivating natural attractions of Pohorje! In addition to the Ribniško Lake, there are six smaller peat pools, also known as “bog windows.” Each is about one meter deep, with bottoms that continue into layers of peat. Since the bog lies on a slope, it is also referred to as a “hanging bog.”

This high-elevation peat bog began forming around 8,000 years ago on the eastern slope of Ribniški Vrh, nestled among dwarf pine and within a waterlogged basin surrounded by spruce forest. The lake itself sits at an elevation of 1,490 meters, just below Jezerski Vrh, and is unique in that it is fed exclusively by rainwater.

The nearby mountain hut (Ribniška Koča) is part of the Slovenian Mountain Trail, and during summer, it is accessible by car via a 9 km local road from Ribnica na Pohorju.

Ribniško Lake can also be reached on foot from Bolfenk by first hiking up to Razglednik and then following a scenic trail through Areh, Žigartov Vrh, Bajgotov Vrh, Šumikov Vrh, Matevž, Radovna, Treh Žebljev, Kladje, Brvni Vrh, and Zgornje Brvi to Koča na Pesku. From there, continue over Sedlo to Lovrenška Lakes, and then via Planinka and Šrklatica to Jezerski Vrh and Ribniška Koča, both located near the lake. The full hike takes approximately 8 to 9 hours one way. We recommend using an e-bike for a more manageable journey.

Alternatively, guests can drive to Ribnica na Pohorju and from there continue by car to Ribniško Lake and Ribniška Koča. In this case, the hike would take only about 2 hours one way.

ACROSS POHORJE TO KOROŠKA (PART OF THE SLOVENIAN MOUNTAIN TRAIL)

The Slovenian Mountain Trail is the oldest and most diverse long-distance hiking trail in Slovenia, stretching 500 kilometers from Maribor all the way to the Slovenian coast in Ankaran.

Itinerary for the moderately demanding section across Pohorje (Maribor – Slovenj Gradec, 60.5 km / 2 days):

• Lower station of the Pohorje Cable Car (328 m) – St. Bolfenk (1040 m) = 1.5 h (if not using the gondola)
• St. Bolfenk (1040 m) – Mariborska Koča (1068 m) = 1 h
• Mariborska koča (1068 m) – Ruška koča (1246 m) = 1 h
• Ruška koča (1246 m) – slap Šumik = 2 h
• Slap Šumik –Trije kralji (1181 m) = 2 h
• Trije kralji (1181 m) – Črno jezero (1197 m) – Osankarica (1193 m) = 1 h 15 min
• Osankarica (1193 m) – Koča na Pesku (1386 m) = 2,5 h
• Koča na Pesku (1386 m) – Lovrenška jezera (1529 m) – Ribniška koča (1507 m) = 3 h
• Ribniška koča (1507 m) – Grmovškov dom pod Veliko Kopo (1377 m) = 1,5 h
• Grmovškov dom pod Veliko Kopo (1377 m) – Partizanski dom (1443 m) = 1 h
• Partizanski dom (1443 m) – Koča pod Kremžarjevim vrhom (1102 m) = 1,5 h
• Koča pod Kremžarjevim vrhom (1102 m) – Slovenj Gradec (410 m) = 1,5 h

FUN FACT: POHORJE CULINARY ROUTE

From June to September, you are invited to the embrace of Pohorje forests and a rich selection of authentic Pohorje dishes.

Take a look at the map of eastern Pohorje and the card of the Pohorje culinary route.

The map shows mountain and cycling routes, as well as the natural and cultural heritage of Pohorje. With the help of the map, hikers and cyclists can get to know the beauty of the eastern Pohorje.

With the Pohorje culinary route card, visitors can taste authentic Pohorje dishes in certain cottages and hotels. They receive a stamp with each tasting. With the last stamp in the card, visitors earn a free dessert from the vendor, where they will print their last stamp from wandering around this part of Pohorje.

You can pick up a map and card of the Pohorje culinary route from us as well as from other Pohorje providers, or at the Lower and Upper Stations of the Pohorska Vzpenjača ropeway, as well as at the Maribor Tourist Information Center.

Providers: Hotel Tisa, Penzion Jelka, Turizem Grašič-Gradišnik, Mariborska koča, Hotel Zarja, Ruška koča, Koča Cojzarica, Hotel Jakec Trije Kralji, Hotel Bellevue, Pohorje Village Wellbeing Resort – Restaurant Bolfenk.