Kopitnik’s steep rocks are arranged in the shape of hoof and that’s where Kopitnik got the name from (hoof = kopito). That’s one version. The second claims that it got the name from the flower  kopitnik that grows here. Wherever the name comes from the fact is that around here you can find a lot of vegetation: beech, maple and pine are the main trees in the vast forest that covers the slope. From flower you can find here, the most common are: gilly flower, lilies, hellebore, mezereon, rhododendron…

There are many ways to get on top, but we tackled Kopitnik from Rimske Toplice. We came there with a car from Celje and parked under the health resort that is being renewed. Find the first red and white mark on the tree and just follow it. For the first 15 – 20 minutes the path is pretty boring as it crosses the road quite a few times. But nevertheless some spectacular views open already mainly on the health resort with its huge trees.

After we leave the last houses behind we enter a thick forest. In the hot summer days the tree tops give shelter from sun so the walk is really pleasant. Another thing are the leaves of the ground that cover up your feet up and over the ankles which is amusing when you are walking uphill and a nightmare when you are descending. After another half an hour or so you will find a huge rock with marks. It is a good place to take a few minutes to catch a breath and drink some water.

It is really interesting to observe how many times the surrounding changes when you are hiking Kopitnik. Soon you will come upon a jungle like forest. Everything sounds different, everything is damp, the darkness thickens even the birds sound spooky. The path here is pretty gentle and it opens before you know.

Not far from the hut we observed a herd deer so be alert and quiet. When you reach the hut you are not on the top yet. It takes 15 minutes to enjoy the view. The second part of the path from the hut is steep and the rocks can be sharp. So be careful especially if you are having your kids with you. On the top you can find a register book and a stamp. Enjoy the view of Sava valley on one side and Kum rising on the other.

From here you can descend to Zidani Most (if you came to Rimske Toplice with a train). We went back to the hut and ate some hot goulash, drank some beer and ejoyed the nature.

It took us about an hour and a half, maybe two hours of slow hiking to get to the top. Good shoes are essential and I always use trekking poles just to be on a safe side.