Žovneško jezero - Sveti Janez in Pavel (Dobrovlje)

Access to starting point:
A) From the Ljubljana–Maribor highway, take the Vransko exit, then continue driving on the parallel old road in the direction of Celje. A little after the place Kapla, leave the main road and continue driving left in the direction of Braslovče. Further we drive through Gomilsko, and we follow the road towards Braslovče to the spot where signs for Žovnek Castle direct us to the left. Further, we drive on a somewhat narrower road by Žovneško Lake to the spot where on a power line pole we notice hiking markers for Žovnek Castle. Because at the starting point there are no appropriate parking spots, it is better to park already somewhat lower at an appropriate place by the road, or we can also drive higher on the road towards Žovnek Castle and then park there at an appropriate place by the road.
B) From the Maribor–Ljubljana highway, take the Šentrupert exit, then continue driving in the direction of Mozirje. At the place Parižlje leave the main road and continue driving on a local road towards the place Spodnje Gorče. Here we cross the main road Gomilsko–Braslovče and continue driving in the direction of the village and Žovnek Castle. Further, we drive on a somewhat narrower road by Žovneško Lake to the spot where on a power line pole we notice hiking markers for Žovnek Castle. Because at the starting point there are no appropriate parking spots, it is better to park already somewhat lower at an appropriate place by the road, or we can also drive higher on the road towards Žovnek Castle and then park there at an appropriate place by the road.

Path description:
From the power line pole we head right across the meadow to the edge of the forest, where on a tree we notice a somewhat larger blaze. Here the path enters the forest, which starts ascending relatively steeply. The path soon levels out and leads us to a wider cart track along which we walk to a smaller junction. Here we continue left uphill (the right path bypasses Žovnek Castle) and continue the ascent along a steep path, along which in 2 minutes of further walking we arrive at Žovnek Castle.
At the castle we step onto the road along which we descend to the first junction, there we continue along the upper right road, which we follow for only a few steps, as the blazes then direct us left onto an ascending cart track. Further we ascend transversely for some time above the torrent gully, cross it higher up, then climb to the nearby macadam road, which we follow to the right. The path ahead takes us past the NOB monument and the hunting lodge Lovski dom pod Grmado to a junction, where we continue sharply left in the direction of Čreta. Further we ascend for some time along a relatively scenic road, then signs for Čreta direct us sharply left onto a cart track, or wider path, which higher crosses the macadam road. The path ahead ascends briefly more through the forest, then brings us to a grassy hay meadow, along which we climb to the solitary homestead.
Above the homestead we reach a smaller monument and chapel, and the path turns right into the forest at the chapel. We climb through a belt of forest and shrubbery, the path returns to the road, which we follow to the right. Further we walk along the road for some time, which takes us past a larger monument and later a smaller hamlet to a marked junction.
We continue straight ahead (left to Dom na Čreti) and then after a few metres right in the direction of Dom Dobrovlje, Bezovec and Letuš. The road ahead leads past the Križnik farm, then descends to a marked junction.
This time too we continue right (straight to Dom Dobrovlje and Bezovec) and continue the ascent following the signs for St. Janez and Pavel. The road, which continues across a gentle grassy slope, quickly brings us to the Planinšek farm, behind which it temporarily passes through a very narrow belt of forest. The forest ends immediately, and the path past the chapel quickly brings us to the already previously mentioned church of St. Janez and Pavel.

On the way: Grad Žovnek (409m), Lovski dom pod Grmado (510m)

Trip can be extended to: Grmada (Dobrovlje)