Pongrac (grobišče talcev) - Gozdnik (past Mali Gozdnik)

Access to starting point:
We leave Štajerska highway at exit Žalec, and then we follow the signs for Žalec. Through Žalec we follow the signs for Griže and Migojnice, which we reach soon after the bridge over the river Savinja, and then we follow the signs for Zabukovica and further for Gozdnik and the hostage graveyard. When Zabukovica ends, we arrive at the settlement Pongrac (there are no road signs for the mentioned settlement), and we drive to a crossroad near the hostage graveyard. Here we turn left in the direction of the graveyard and a little further we park in an appropriate place. We park in a way that does not hinder locals or possible forestry or other activities.

Route description:
From the crossroad at the stream Artišnica, we first cross the stream and walk to the NOB monument, which we bypass on the left side. Next follows a diagonal ascent on the macadam road, which higher in the hamlet of a few houses temporarily becomes asphalted. Also higher, we ascend diagonally towards the right, and at a few smaller crossroads, we continue straight. When the road ends higher up, we turn onto a cart track, along which there are signs for Gozdnik, and the cart track occasionally ascends quite steeply. A little above 600 meters above sea level, we leave the forest, and the path turns left and quickly ascends to the hunting cottage, which we notice on the left side of the path.
We bypass the hunting cottage and farm on the right side, and when we reach the macadam road, we only cross it and follow the path with signs for Šmohor and Gozdnik. Only a little further, the path splits again, and we choose the path that continues straight (the left path leads to Gozdnik past Petelinov or Petelinji vrh).
Only a little further, we reach a macadam road, which we cross diagonally to the left, then follow the blazes through the forest. Higher up, we cross a cart track, and after a short further ascent, we return to it and arrive at a marked crossroads.
This time, we continue left towards Gozdnik (straight to Šmohor) and ascend along and beside the indistinct ridge of Mali Gozdnik, from where a view occasionally opens up to neighboring Kamnik. Higher up, we cross a few more cart tracks and arrive below the peak of Mali Gozdnik, where the path flattens and transitions to a steeper slope of Mali Gozdnik. After a short traverse, we quickly ascend to the saddle between Gozdnik on the left and Mali Gozdnik on the right, where we continue left (right to Mali Gozdnik and Šmohor).
Next follows a steep ascent along the southwestern ridge of Gozdnik, and as we approach the summit, the path flattens, and from the left, a path joins that leads past Petelinov vrh. Here we go right, and in a few dozen steps of further walking, we reach Gozdnik, where a bivouac is located, and a few steps further, a cross.
Starting point - hunting cottage 0:50, hunting cottage - Gozdnik 1:15.
Description and pictures refer to conditions in April 2025.

Along the route: Lovska koča pod Gozdnikom (651m)

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