Pongrac (grobišče talcev) - Gozdnik (past Petelinov vrh)

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 left path (straight to Gozdnik past Mali Gozdnik and Šmohor) and ascend through the forest. Next follows the crossing of a macadam road, then we gradually start ascending steeper and steeper, crossing some forest logging trails during the ascent. We continue following the blazes and ascend a quite steep slope, where there is a great risk of slipping, especially in wet conditions, and in winter, a greater danger of an avalanche. Higher up, we reach the ridge and follow it to the right (a less distinct footpath to the left leads to Petelinov vrh), continuing to ascend quite steeply, and higher up, we cross a few more logging trails. When the ridge becomes less distinct higher up, the path gradually flattens, and we join the path past Mali Gozdnik, and in a minute of additional walking, we reach the top of Gozdnik, where a bivouac is located and, a few steps further, a cross.
Starting point - hunting cottage 0:50, hunting cottage - Gozdnik 1:10.

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

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