Gruska jama - Gruska jama (circular path, counterclockwise)

Access to the starting point:
a) From the route of Podčetrtek or Bistrica ob Sotli: turn west at Prelasko on the main road between the two towns: direction Kozje. After passing Buče and approaching Vrenska Gorca, look out for a roadside bus stop where the bus shelter clearly reads "Gruska jama". Just after the bus stop, turn "180 degrees" and drive to the rest area behind the bus stop on the opposite side of the road. Park in a suitable place at the rest area.

b) From the route of Kozje: at the roundabout next to the craft zone at Kozje, which "intersects" the main road between Šentjur and Podsreda, turn north-east: direction Prelasko. After passing Ješovec and approaching Vrenska Gorca, look out for the roadside bus stop, where the bus shelter clearly reads "Gruska jama". A little before the bus stop, on the same side of the road, drive to the rest area behind the bus stop. Park in a suitable place at the rest area.

Path description:
Warning 1:
The part of the path along the left bank of the brook is made of very narrow and very steep steps, walking on this part is not recommended if you feel dizzy or if your legs do not allow you to walk on the steps. It is still possible to reach the spring by following the relatively gentle path along the tracks along the right bank of the stream (see first part of the description below) and return along the same path.

Warning 2:
As mentioned above, the path is very narrow along the left bank of the stream, making encounters very difficult. At "busier" times, as can be inferred from the number of vehicles parked at the rest area, it is advisable for all visitors to keep to the same direction, at least on the part of the path along the left bank of the stream.


Description of the route:


The arrow below the information board at the rest area recommends that you go to the right, i. e. in a counter-clockwise direction. So follow the road towards Kozje and after a few metres turn left onto the first track. As you walk along cart track, pay attention on the left-hand side not to overlook the column with an arrow pointing to the left again. Follow the path along the edge of the forest to reach a footbridge over a stream and cross it. This is where the official part of the trail actually begins, as from here on it is littered with shavings (or wood left over from the sawmill), and there are also some educational signs along the way. Initially quite flat, the trail leads to a fork where you can take a left along a "blind" and still quite flat section to reach a spring under a 30 metre wall. From the spring, we return to the fork, and here begins a section of very steep and narrow steps, guarded by a chain-link fence. Somewhere on the way to the top, there is another "blind" turn off to the left, towards the Puščavnikova Cave. The path to the cave is sloping and also guarded by a steel fence, but it is narrow and carved into an almost vertical wall, so it is not recommended for visitors with vertigo. From there, return to the fork and continue up the still steep stairs to the top. The trail ends at the exit from the starting rest area, which is on our left.

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