Kozje - Grad Kozje (Drachenburg) (shortest path from the pond)

Access to starting point:
To Kozje we can come from Celje via Šentjur, from Brežice via Bizeljsko, Bistrica ob Sotli and Podsreda, from Krško or Sevnica via Brestanica and Podsreda, or from Maribor via Podčetrtek, where in Prelasko we turn towards Kozje.

The starting point is at the pond next to the inn Kozjanski dvor north from the center of the village. The closest parking lot is at the nearby bus stop, it is possible to park also elsewhere in Kozje, from anywhere there is only few minutes walk to the starting point.

Path description:
From the starting point at the pond, where there is also an information board, we go on a slightly ascending cart track towards the south. We soon find ourselves on the asphalt road. The road already after few meters turns left and downwards towards the center of Kozje, and we follow the sign, which points us on the path straight. From here further, the path is marked with normal Knafelc's red and white blazes and even though it is short, it is a little more demanding. The path is mostly steeply ascending, in some parts also on the stairs. Somewhere by the path there is also a viewpoint on Kozje, but caution is needed, because it isn't secured! A similar or even a little more demanding path, where in some parts also some "chamois" skills are needed (mainly on stone stairs a little below the top), then on hairpin turns it brings us all the way to the castle ruins on the top. To Kozje we can return on the same path or on other which past the lime kiln brings us to the stream Bistri graben and then on the road past the mill Kroflnov mlin back to Kozje.