Zgornja Bistrica (Center Vintgar) - Marolt fir tree (Bistriški vintgar)

Access to starting point:
We drive to the center of Slovenska Bistrica, from where we go on the road in the direction of Zgornja Bistrica and Bistriški Vintgar. We further follow the signs for Bistriški Vintgar, and we park on the arranged parking lot at Center Vintgar.

Route description:
From the parking lot at Center Vintgar we return to the road and we continue in the direction of Bistriški Vintgar. For a short time, we walk on the road or sidewalk, and then a path branches off to the left towards Three Kings (path via Velika Tinje), and we still continue on the sidewalk. Further, the sidewalk ends, and we continue on the road to the next parking lot, where there are red hiking signposts (to here 20 minutes).
We continue on a wider path which leads towards Bistriški vintgar, and at the spot where we leave the road there are signs for Roman quarry and Šmartno na Pohorju.
The path ahead is still gently ascending, and when over a small bridge we get to the right bank of Bistrica, the path becomes gradually slightly steeper.
Before the path turns a little to the left and passes on a slope, on the right we notice Roman quarry, and then we are ascending diagonally on an increasingly steep slope. On the mentioned part slightly to the right a footpath which leads towards the waterfall Šum branches off (to the waterfall leads a little less than 5 minutes long footpath which is mainly in wet on a shorter part dangerous for slipping), and we still continue on the path which is diagonally ascending on a steep slope (on this part mainly in spring time during and after the rain there is a greater danger of falling stones). When the slope becomes a little less steep from the right also demanding path which leads via waterfall Šum joins, and a little further we get to a marked crossing, where we continue right in the direction of St. Three Kings and Močnik (straight - Ančnikovo gradišče).
The path ahead leads us over two bridges, and after the second we return on the left bank of Bistrica, where the path for some time leads through a lane of raspberry and bramble bushes. Further on steeper parts the path runs on stairs, and mostly on more dangerous spots there is also a wooden fence. Further, we are ascending by small waterfalls and rapids, and the path is raised a little above the riverbed of the stream, so that we observe the gorge a little more from far, only occasionally we get very close to Bistrica. Higher follows some descent, and at the crossing, we continue straight towards St. Three Kings. Next follows some ascent, and then the path and the gorge flatten out and in a gentle ascent, we get to the information board, which is situated near the Marolt fir tree, which on the other bank of the stream is slowly rotting.
Description and pictures refer to a condition in July 2022.

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