Grmada is a very popular destination for local hikers. We start our walk in Pečovnik, at the fire brigade (the way to there is already described on “Devil’s ditch” article). Leave the car at the old warehouse and take a path that goes up behind it.

After a minute or two you’ll come to the asphalt road, turn left there. After 50 meters or so follow this road right uphill. You will pass by some houses. In a couple of them on your right you can buy homemade honey and goat cheese and milk.

Soon you come to the first steep part. The soil is a bit rocky and can be very slippery and muddy in rain and especially in wintertime. Follow this path and pretty soon you will find yourself at the crossing where you will see two signs that leads you up left in the forest. It’s clearly marked that the path is steep (strma pot) and short (30 minutes). And you better believe it. If you have long legs and a good pace you might make it in few minutes less, but not much. If you continue straight forward on this crossing you will come to Celjska Koča on “usual way”, but we take the steep one.

The path goes through the woods all the time, at the very end you must climb a rock or two, but nothing special. The view on top is fantastic; you have the entire Celje below you, in good weather you can clearly see Kamniško – Savinjske Alps (70 km away!). On the other side Celjska Koča is just a grasp away.

There’s a bell as well and, like on so many Slovenian hills, a cross. Make sure you write yourself in a book and take a stamp. Ring a bell as well, a good wish might come true.

For way down I usually descend towards Celjska Koča (about 20 minutes), but turn right  in the woods after a good ten minutes. The path is not marked, but it’s clearly visible. That’s just a shortcut for regular visitors that leads you somewhere half way on the “usual path.”

I recommend that you continue on the path towards Celjska Koča and pretty  soon you’ll come to a new, cozy hut under Grmada. There’s even a small artificial climbing wall. But it’s only open during weekends and holidays, so you might want to plan your trip in those days. You can have a beer or tea there.

Continue on the path after you had some rest and in few minutes you will come to a road that goes right down to Pečovnik (already mentioned “usual” path) or you have two more minutes to hotel on Celjska Koča. Way down from here takes around 30 - 40  minutes, depends on how fast you are. On your way down you will see natural monument, 200 years old Trobiševa bukev (Trobiš’s beech tree). It’s named after the Trobiš family that takes care of these woods. Fresh water comes out just underneath, make sure you have a sip or two. 20 minutes after that you are at the car again.

The whole trip from the car and back takes around 2 - 3  hours, depends how long you stay at the top and in the hut. This time radically changes if you do it in winter when a majority of the path is under ice. The steep part takes you 45 minutes at least and it can happen that you will need to crawl up on all four at some points. Also way down is a lot more demanding, especially on the first uphill. But it has a special feeling too. Maybe a bit more adventures. Whenever you do it, we’re sure you’ll enjoy it.