Grda draga - Snežnik (via Mali Snežnik)

Access to starting point:
A) From Cerknica or Nova vas na Blokah at first we drive to Bloška Polica, from there we continue driving in the direction of Lož and Babno Polje. In the settlement Pudob we turn right in the direction of Snežnik, Ilirska Bistrica, Knežak and nearby settlement Kozarišče. In Kozarišče we continue slightly left in the direction of Snežnik and also in the next crossroads, we follow the road in the direction of Snežnik. When Kozarišče ends, ends also an asphalt, and we immediately after the bridge through Mali Obrh we continue left in the direction of Mašun and Knežak. Next follows a long drive on a macadam road, on which after approximately 19 km from Kozarišče we get to a crossroad, where from the right side joins the road from Mašun. Here we continue left in the direction of Sviščaki, to where there is for approximately 10 km of the macadam, at the crossroads we follow the signs for Sviščaki. After approximately 27 km of the macadam road we get to a hunting cottage in Grda draga, about 100 meters ahead to signposts and information boards, near of which we park.
B) We drive into Pivka, from there we continue driving towards Knežak. In Knežak at the marked crossroad we continue left in the direction of Mašun and settlement Bač and Koritnice. A little further, we go right in the direction of Mašun and Koritnice (straight Bač). After Koritnice the road starts considerably ascending, and then after 18 km from the main crossroad in Knežak brings us to Mašun, from where we continue driving right in the direction of Sviščaki, to where there is for approximately 12 km of the macadam road. 2 km before Sviščaki we get to a larger grassy plain named Grda draga, where at first we notice a hunting cottage, and about 100 meters ahead also the beginning of the marked mountain path on Snežnik. When we get to Mountain hut Planinski dom na Sviščakih we park.
C) First, we drive to Ilirska Bistrica, and then we continue driving towards Sviščaki (turn off is in the middle of Ilirska Bistrica and is marked, maybe it is a little poorly noticeable). At first, we are ascending on an asphalt road, and then after a little less than 12 km of ascent an asphalt is changed to a macadam. Next follows for approximately 7 km of the macadam, and then we get to a crossroad right next to a mountain hut Planinski dom na Sviščakih, where we continue straight towards the mountain hut. From the mountain hut, we continue driving towards Mašun, where after additional 2 km of the macadam we get to Grda drage, where we park next to mountain signposts.

Path description:
From the starting point in Grda draga we go on a footpath in the direction of Snežnik and Snežna Mati Božja. The path at first leads us by the edge of a meadow, after that behind a smaller feeding site, which we bypass on the right side, leads in the forest, through which we are at first gently, and then moderately ascending on a cart track. Cart track has some crossings and we follow that path, by which we notice the blazes. Higher, we reach a chapel of Marija Snežna and the path continues on a cart track which has few crossings. Also on the mentioned crossings we follow the blazes, and then we cross the forest road, where from the right side joins the path from the starting point Sviščaki and cave Snežniška Grda jama, and to the left continues a road which leads towards Pekel.
We continue in the direction of Snežnik, on the path which continues through a dense forest. Higher, we cross a smaller clearing, and then we return into the forest, and the path starts ascending diagonally towards the left. After few minutes of a diagonal ascent, we reach a marked crossing, where the path from Mašun joins.
We again continue in the direction of Snežnik, this time on a little more steep path which leads us past a memorial. Above the memorial a first wider view opens up, which reaches over Nanos all the way to the Alps. Further, we are ascending on a path which leads us through dwarf pines. When the steepness decreases we get to an old stone of a trigonometric point, which is situated on the summit, or few steps below Mali Snežnik, from where a view opens up on Veliki Snežnik, Istria, Primorska, Notranjska...
From Mali Snežnik we continue on the path which is barely noticeably descending on an indistinct east ridge of Mali Snežnik. Further, the path passes on the western and very panoramic ridge of Veliki Snežnik, on which continues mostly in a gentle to occasionally moderate ascent. A little further from the right joins the path Matetova pot, and a little ahead also normal path from Sviščaki.
At the both crossings, we continue straight, and then we diagonally ascend on a steeper slope of Veliki Snežnik, which is in snow dangerous for slipping. After few minutes, we reach the cottage on Veliki Snežnik, in front of which we continue left and we in few steps ascend on 1796 meters high peak.
Description and pictures refer to a condition in the year 2015 (October).

On the way: Kapelica Marije Snežne (1300m), Mali Snežnik (1694m)