Church in Podčertek - Rudnica (above Podčetrtek) (longer circular path)

Access to starting point:
When we get into Podčetrtek, at the roundabout we turn towards the center and immediately at the next roundabout we continue straight towards the center. We drive past the municipal building on the left and school on the right. Then on the left side we notice the church and in a sharp turn we turn left and we get to the parking lot on our right side.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we cross a small bridge and go right on a macadam road, following the signs for the Tower of Health and Joy. After approximately 1 km at the crossroad of paths (left and right), we go straight into the forest, where we notice a hiking sign and the inscription of the European Mountain Path E7 on a tree, cross a small stream, and, following the signs, head uphill. Soon, when the hill flattens at the top, we see a signpost indicating that we must turn right uphill after a few meters. After a successful short ascent, we reach a forest path again and follow the signs to the left. We consistently follow the signs, and after a few hundred meters at the top of the hill, we arrive at a parking lot, the Poni Ranch sign, and directional markers. Here, we can choose an easier path to the tower or continue on the macadam road to the left toward a more demanding path to the tower. If we head toward the more demanding path, after some time, we notice a signpost to the right, continue past the gate uphill, and at the top, the Tower of Health and Joy and a small kiosk come into view.
After a successful descent from the tower, we continue in the opposite direction downward. During the descent, we head left toward the Šmarnica cottage, which is open on weekends. Then we continue right on the path, after approximately 30 meters at the crossroad of paths, we continue our descent to the right, and after a few meters of descent, we reach a forest road where we turn left. After about 300 meters, we see a signpost, descend to the right again, and after a short descent through the forest, we reach an asphalt road where we continue left. At the macadam parking lot, we can continue either at the first turnoff to the right toward the parking lot, straight on the asphalt road, or head along a forest path toward the castle. If we continue toward the castle, we walk along this forest macadam road and follow the directional markers for the castle at the crossroads. When we reach the castle, we turn left on the road, soon reach an asphalt road again, and turn right toward the center. We walk approximately 600 meters on the sidewalk, keeping to the right. When we almost reach the valley, we turn right toward the parking lot at the church.
The path is 7.5 km long with a total ascent of 480 meters. . . . .

On the way: Stolp zdravja in veselja na Rudnici (620m)