Olimje - Zavetišče Šmarnica on Mala Rudnica

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 crossing on the lower part of the monastery we continue right following the signs for Podčetrtek and some other markers (straight ahead to the cottage Koča pri čarovnici and a few other destinations). The path ahead leads us by the monastery and garden, then we cross a stream, after which we pass a chapel to reach Čokoladnica Olimje, which we bypass on the left side. Next follows a short ascent, where at a few smaller crossroads we follow the blazes or stick to the left directions, and higher up we also pass by a farm. Above the farm, the road turns sharply to the left, then at a small house from a minor crossroad we continue sharply right onto a side road, which after a short traverse brings us to the last house, where the asphalt ends. We continue slightly to the left on a gravel road, which enters a forest and, a little further, crosses a small valley, where the path turns right downward and begins to descend. Lower down, we reach the first house of the next hamlet, which we bypass on the left side, and behind it, we join a marked path that starts at the church of St. Virgin Mary on Pesek.
We continue straight or slightly left and for some time, without significant changes in elevation, we proceed with a traverse to the right. When we get to the marked crossroad, we go sharply left in the direction of the tower of health and joy (straight to Podčetrtek (Sveti Lovrenc) and Terme Olimia).
The path ahead begins to ascend on the macadam road, and at a right turn, we leave the road and continue left on a marked footpath, which soon rejoins the road. On a poorer road, we continue to the marked crossroad of multiple roads, from where we proceed in the direction of the easier path towards the tower of health and joy (left to the harder path, which is also easy, right to Podčetrtek).
We continue on a forested cart track, on which we moderately ascend to a small saddle, where we go right in the direction of cottage Zavetišče Šmarnica (left the tower of health and joy on Silavec, which is only a few minutes away). The path ahead first slightly ascends, then continues without significant ascents or descents, and we follow this path to cottage Zavetišče Šmarnica, from which a beautiful view opens up.
Description and pictures refer to the condition in December 2023 and April 2024.