Krapina - Sušec (Strahinjščica) (via Jelenje pečine)

Access to starting point:
We arrive in Croatia via the Gruškovlje / Macelj border crossing. Drive towards Zagreb, but only to the Đurmanec exit, where we leave the motorway. In the village at the roundabout, go towards Krapina. When we reach the crossing over the railway line, turn left towards Podgora. Now we are in Krapina and go through the underpass of the Zagorska magistrala and turn left again. Now follow this road (we will also notice markings along the path) all the way to the larger parking lot next to the Ekovent factory, where we can park.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we go downhill to the north, where we quickly arrive in the village of Strahinje and then also in the village of Podgora. In Podgora, a tourist sign helps us, directing us right uphill onto a rougher road. We quickly leave the road and climb through an orchard and meadow to the forest.
Through the forest we walk along a mesh fence, then arrive at a junction where the path from the village of Žutnica joins from the left. After the junction, we steeply ascend in numerous switchbacks towards Jelenje pečine. Here a cable will assist us on a short steep section, and behind it a view opens to Krapina below us.
The path ahead climbs steeply in a few switchbacks and passes another viewpoint to go under the ridge, where it also levels out.
The level path lasts a few minutes, then we reach the second cable, installed due to the slippery terrain. Another short steep section follows, then two switchbacks, after which the path levels out again. Then 15 minutes of easy walking follow, after which we arrive at a junction where we join the path via the Slon viewpoint.
From the junction we continue east, cross a short clearing, and we are already at the mountain hut.
At the hut we can refresh ourselves or even spend the night.
From the hut we go towards Gornje Jesenje, but only twenty meters, then quickly turn right back into the forest. The path initially follows a wider track, then turns onto a narrower path and becomes quite steep. On the steep section, which is quite slippery during and after rain, a wooden railing helps us. The steep path then brings us to the Dedek viewpoint.
From Dedek, which is also a suitable take-off point for paragliders, a nice view opens to the south and west. For many hikers this is also the final goal, but we will continue east. The path levels out here and runs along the narrow ridge of Strahinjščica. Wooden railings are also installed at some exposed spots.
The path temporarily leaves the ridge and runs along the southern slope, but when the ridge temporarily widens it returns to it. A little more walking follows and the path brings us to the summit.
At the very summit of Sušec there is a huge willow tree. There is no summit register (it is at the hut), only a stamp. Since the summit is overgrown with forest, there is no view.