Olimje - Silavec (The Tower of Health and Joy on Rudnica) (past Koča pri čarovnici)

Access to starting point:
We drive to Podčetrtek, then follow the signs for Olimje, where we park in the parking lot by the Minorite Monastery Olimje.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we continue ahead, and at the end of the parking lot, the path splits. To the left, a path branches off towards Sveti Andrej and Virštanj, but we continue straight in the direction of cottage Koča pri Čarovnici and other destinations. When Olimje ends, the path leads us past the Turistični center Jelenov greben, and then the road gradually transitions into the forest. Through the forest, we continue to moderately ascend, and then we quickly arrive at cottage Koča pri Čarovnici, which is situated on the left side of the road.
From the Koča pri čarovnici cottage, we continue on the asphalt road, which shortly leads us to a marked crossroad where we turn right (left lake Zmajevo jezero, hunting bivouac, and Plešivec) towards Plešivec, the tower of health and joy, Tinsko, and Zavetišče Šmarnica cottage. The path ahead crosses a torrent stream and gradually leaves the forest. We continue on the road, which leads us past a meadow and brings us to a hamlet where there is a marked crossroad.
From the crossing, we continue on the right road (left Plešivec), which after the nearby house becomes a macadam road and passes into the forest. Only a few minutes further, we reach the next crossing, where a path from Plešivec joins from the left, and we continue on the right road, from which, immediately after the crossing, a view opens up slightly towards Pohorje, before the road returns to the forest, through which it initially ascends gently to moderately. Further on, the road briefly becomes paved, then starts descending towards the saddle west of the peak Silavec, where a path from the settlement Spodnje Tinsko joins from the left.
From the crossing, we continue straight towards the tower of health and joy on Rudnica, continuing for a few minutes along the forest road. When we arrive at the marked crossing, we turn left onto a cart track, along which there are signs for the harder path to Silavec or to the tower. We follow this path all the way to the peak, approximately 10 minutes away, where a lookout tower stands.
Olimje - Koča pri čarovnici 0:30, Koča pri čarovnici - Silavec 1:15.
Description and pictures refer to the condition in December 2023 and April 2024.

On the way: Koča pri čarovnici (410m)