Ptuj - Vurberk Castle

Access to starting point:
We drive to Ptuj, where we park in one of the parking lots in town. Parking lots in the town center are mostly paid or have time-limited parking. We can also park on the outskirts at one of the free parking lots, which slightly extends the path to the starting point.
To Ptuj, we can arrive by train or bus.

Path description:
At first, we walk to the center of Ptuj, where on the left bank of the Drava by the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists the described path begins.
From here, we follow the signs for Vurberk, initially walking along street Dravska ulica, then navigating several consecutive crossroads, following the trail blazes.
While walking on the sidewalk of square Muzejski trg, the signs for Vurberk direct us left onto a narrower street, where a traffic sign further ahead prohibits pedestrian crossing, so we continue straight to the next crossroad and turn left onto street Vičava. Here, we walk on the sidewalk, and after a few minutes, we notice hiking signs for Vurberk on the right, directing us right onto a side road named street Ulica Vide Alič. This is followed by a few minutes of steep ascent, after which we turn left, following the signs for Vurberk and Krčevina pri Vurbergu. Further on, the path continues alongside houses, and as we approach the forest, we reach a marked intersection where a path from the Rimski Kamp Poetovio joins from the right.
We continue straight, descending briefly, then turn right. The path ahead continues on an asphalt road, and a bit further, we reach another intersection where a path to the homestead of Ivan Potrč branches off to the right, but we keep following the signs for Vurberk.
A little further, the asphalt ends, and the path continues along a cart track, from which a beautiful view opens toward Donačka Gora for a while. We proceed through the forest, bypassing a nearby hamlet on the left side. At the hamlet, the path first ascends slightly, then turns right and begins to descend. Lower down, we reach a small valley, exiting onto a road that we follow to the right, and at the nearby crossroad, we turn left. Just a bit further, we turn left again in the direction of the trail blazes, ascending more steeply for a short time until the next crossroad, where we turn right into the forest; the road flattens, and we veer slightly right onto a marked footpath that descends slightly. When we reach the next asphalt road, we turn left, then right onto a path leading through vineyards. At the top of the ascent, we cross a fence and reach another road, which we follow to the right to a nearby crossroad, where signs for Vurberk direct us sharply left. This is followed by some descent, and at the next marked crossroad, we turn left; from another crossroad just a few steps away, where a path to the Pravljični Gozd Rdeča Kapica in Mohorkova Graba branches off to the left, we continue straight. Next comes a gentle ascent along an asphalt road, then we turn right onto a side road, ascending more steeply, with increasingly beautiful views opening up toward Pohorje. Higher up, at a crossroad with a stop sign, we turn left, then continue ascending gently for a few more minutes. Behind the bus stop and chapel, the path begins to descend, and after the last house of the scattered settlement, the asphalt ends. This is followed by a path through the forest with short ascents and descents, and upon reaching the Bike Park Vurberk MTB Abuhi, we begin a steeper descent along a macadam road. Lower down, we turn right, and when we reach an asphalt road, we simply cross it. Next, we walk along a footpath through the forest, initially crossing slopes to the right; upon reaching an indistinct forested ridge, we turn left and ascend steeply for a short time. When the path flattens, we turn right and arrive at the third control point of the trail Slovenjegoriška planinska pot. Here, we continue a little further left along a path that, following a fence, brings us below the castle Vurberk, followed by a short walk to the castle.
The description and pictures refer to the condition in November 2024.