Zagrad - Pečovniška koča on Grmada (via Grmada)

Access to starting point:
From highway Ljubljana - Maribor, we go to the exit Celje - center and we continue driving in the direction Laško and Zidani Most. The road ahead leads through the center of Celje, and then it brings us to a roundabout with a fountain. Here we continue "straight" (direction Laško and Zidani Most) and we follow the road to the next traffic light crossroad, where we continue left, we drive over the river Savinja and then at the crossroad behind the bridge we continue right. Further, we come to the underpass under the railway track and only few meters ahead to a fire station in Zagrad near of which we park on a larger macadam parking lot.
To the starting point, we can also come from Dolenjska and Zasavje. In this case, at first we drive to Rimske Toplice and then through Laško to the starting point.

Path description:
On the eastern side of the parking lot, we notice the blazes, which point us on the path which at first ascends among houses, and then crosses an asphalt road. Further, we are only for a short time ascending through the forest and then we join the before mentioned road. The road which is further gently to moderately ascending, leads us on a panoramic grassy slope, from which a nice view is opening up. Higher, the road ends, and we continue on a wide and well made mountain path, which then leads us through an indistinct small valley. Higher, we step on a macadam road and with the exception of some shortcuts we follow it to a marked crossing by which a religious symbol is situated.
Here we go left and we continue the ascent on a steep path (straight - Grmada and mountain hut Pečovniška koča gentle path), and it is at first moderately ascending through the forest. The path which ahead runs through the forest, is gradually becoming increasingly steep. Higher, the path turns to the right and passes on a steep and mainly in wet for slipping dangerous slopes. On the top of a diagonal ascent we get to a viewpoint, which is situated above the precipice (carefully!). From the viewpoint, we continue on a marked path which continues on a narrower and increasingly steep ridge. Just below the summit of Grmada, we come on probably the hardest part of the path. The path steeply ascends on rugged rocks, which are in wet and snow very dangerous for slipping. Further, the path flattens and after few additional strides, it brings us to the summit of Grmada.
From the top of Grmada we continue on a marked path which starts descending steeper on the eastern ridge of the mountain. After that, the path turns a little to the right, where it flattens and gradually passes on a wide cart track, on which we then in few minutes descend to the mountain hut Pečovniška koča.
We can descend on the gentle path.

On the way: Grmada above Celje (718m)

Trip can be extended to: Hotel Celjska koča , Bavč , Almin dom na Svetini , Tolsti vrh above Celjska koča