Zgornje Poljčane - Boč (via Balunjača)

Access to starting point:
a) Leave the Ljubljana–Maribor motorway at the Slovenske Konjice exit, then follow the signs for Žiče, Loče, Zbelovo and Poljčane. In Poljčane turn right and drive to Zgornje Poljčane, where we follow the main road to the junction with the side road branching left towards Boč and Planinski dom na Boču. Park above the settlement on the gravel parking area, near the hiking signposts.
b) Leave the Maribor–Ljubljana motorway at the Slovenska Bistrica south exit, then follow the road towards Poljčane and Podčetrtka. In Zgornje Poljčane we follow the main road to the junction with the side road branching left towards Boč and Planinski dom na Boču. Park above the settlement on the gravel parking area, near the hiking signposts.
c) On the Šentjur–Rogaška Slatina road at the Podplat settlement turn left (coming from Rogaška Slatina turn right) towards Slovenska Bistrica and Poljčane. Some ascent follows, after the Pečica pass descent begins. At the start of Zgornje Poljčane settlement turn right towards Boč and Planinski dom na Boču. Park above the settlement on the gravel parking area, near the hiking signposts.

Route description:
From the starting point head onto the path continuing along the Skodovec valley. Beside it are signs for Boč and Detička path (right path over Baba), we ascend along it first gently, a little further moderately. After a few minutes cross the asphalt road leading towards Dom na Boču and continue the ascent along the valley. The slopes above it gradually become steeper, and the path becomes steeper too. Higher up the marked path turns right onto the slopes across which we ascend transversely to the ridge; we reach it slightly above the indistinct summit of Baba (594 m).
Here go left and at Maistrov kamen reach a cart track which we merely cross (right to Dom na Boču). A few minutes' ascent through the forest follows, then past Finžgarjev križ we reach the gravel road (here the path from Dom na Boču joins from the right), which we follow left to the nearby turning area.
Continue left along the rutted, reinforced and locally fenced path which soon brings us to a junction where we leave the usual easy path to Boč. Head left towards the climbing path and the path via Balunjača. A short, fairly level traverse to the left to the cliffs follows, where the first fixed protection appears. The path is not particularly demanding but is especially in spring and after rain exposed to falling rocks.
At the start of the secured section a very demanding secured path to Boč branches right, we continue straight towards the path via Balunjača. A traverse up the steep slope follows, where special caution is needed especially when wet. After the next secured section we arrive at Balunjača cave, just a few dozen steps further there is another cave. The steepness of the slope above the caves eases somewhat, the path turns right and ascends transversely above the steep section. When the terrain levels out, the climbing path joins from the right.
Continue slightly left and at the red hiking signs join the usual path. Continue following the markers to the fenced military area which we bypass on the right side. For a short time we walk without major changes in elevation, then ascend again and quickly reach the summit of Boč with the viewpoint tower. In fine weather it is worth climbing it, as a magnificent view opens up in all directions.

Starting point - Brusovnice 1:05, Brusovnice - junction below Balunjača 0:10, junction below Balunjača - junction above Balunjača 0:15, junction above Balunjača - Boč 0:15.

Along the route: Finžgarjev križ (704m), Brusovnice (741m), Razpotje pod Balunjačo (808m), Razpotje nad Balunjačo (900m)

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