Želimlje - Kurešček

Access to starting point:
A) From Ljubljana or Grosuplje we drive on Škofljica, and from there we continue driving towards Kočevje. In the settlement Pijava Gorica signs for Želimlje point us to the right. When after few kilometers we get to Želimlje, in some sort of triangular crossroad, in the middle of which is a chapel, we continue straight in the direction of Turjak. When few 100 meters further on the right we notice an old quarry, and few meters before the left turn also signposts for Kurešček we are at the beginning of the described path. At the starting point, there aren't any appropriate parking spots.
B) First, we drive to Turjak, and there we go on the road which leads past the castle. Near the castle the road starts descending steeply and lower it brings us to a crossroad, where we continue right (left Ščurki, Četež pri Turjaku, Prazniki). Further, we drive by Želimeljščica, and then the valley widens and the road brings us into Želimlje. Through Želimlje we drive to the spot, where we notice signposts for Kurešček. At the starting point, there aren't any appropriate parking spots.
C) First, we drive to Ig, and from there we continue driving towards Škofljica. When a little before the end of Ig main road turns left, we continue straight on a little narrower asphalt road which quickly brings us to Kremenica. Through the mentioned settlement we continue straight and also in few smaller crossroads after the settlement we continue straight. Later we join the road which leads from Pijava Gorica towards Želimlje, and we follow it to the right. When after few kilometers we get to Želimlje, in some sort of triangular crossroad, in the middle of which is a chapel, we continue straight in the direction of Turjak. When few 100 meters further on the right we notice an old quarry, and few meters before the left turn also signposts for Kurešček we are at the beginning of the described path. At the starting point, there aren't any appropriate parking spots.

Path description:
From the road signs for Kurešček point us on at first almost unnoticeable footpath which ascends steeply by the hedge. When after a shorter steep ascent we step into the forest, the footpath becomes more distinct, and above the quarry turns left and it quickly brings us on a cart track which we reach near the crossing.
We continue on an ascending cart track which turns slightly to the left, and is then ascending diagonally. On the cart track, we are ascending quite steeply mostly through the forest, only on one part a view opens up a little on surrounding hills. Higher the cart track for some time slightly descends, and we follow it to its end, from where for some time again a view opens up a little.
From the end of the cart track, we continue straight on a marked path, which passes on steeper slopes. A little further, we get also help from steel cables (passage is undemanding, also in wet there is no significant danger, more caution is needed only if there is ice), which with few breaks are accompanig us all the way until we get on a forested ridge, where a short unmarked footpath branches off to the left towards the castle Stari grad, and to the right continues a marked path towards Kurešček.
At the mentioned crossing, we go right and we continue by and later on the ridge, from which on few spots a view opens up on the other side of ditch Benšetov graben towards the church of St. Marjeta on Golo. A little further, the path from the ridge passes on meadows of the nearby village Rogatec nad Želimljami, which we quite quickly also reach.
Before the first house we continue right, and then on the macadam road we quickly reach an asphalt road which we follow right in the direction of Kurešček. After the settlement the road returns into the forest and then it leads past few several individual houses of neighbouring settlement Visoko. At two smaller crossroads we continue right, after that a little higher we get to a little bigger crossroad, where we continue left in the direction of Kurešček.
From the crossroad, we few more minutes walk on the asphalt road, and then from the left turn we go straight on a footpath which starts ascending through the forest. Through the forest, we follow the blazes, and those brings us all the way to the mountain hut Dom dom na Kureščku.
We bypass the mountain hut on the left side and we immediately step on an asphalt road (if we continue on the right side of the mountain hut we can ascend to the summit through a meadow on a little shorter path). The road then leads us past the parking lot, and behind it, we start lightly ascending through a panoramic grassy slope. A little further, the path towards Turjak branches off to the left, and on the right turn in front of the cemetery also the path from Pirman or Turjak joins.
We continue on the road, and from there immediately Way of the cross branches off slightly to the right. We can continue on the road, on which in approximately 3 minutes of additional walking, we get to the top of Kurešček, or on the Way of the cross. The latter path is a little longer, but it doesn't run on the road.
Description and pictures refer to a condition in the year 2015 (May).

On the way: Rogatec nad Želimljami (614m), Planinski dom na Kureščku mountain hut (760m)