Gradišče pri Vipavi - Gradiška Tura (Otmar route)

Access to starting point:
From Razdrto we drive along the highway towards Nova Gorica or vice versa and take the Vipava exit. We continue along the road towards Vipava and Gradišče. In the village of Gradišče we notice the first mountain signs, which we follow to the larger parking lot by Camp Tura above the village of Gradišče.

Route description:
From the parking lot, bypassing the information boards, we head in the direction of Gradiška Tura and Abram. At first, a relatively wide path leads us through the forest and soon brings us to a junction on a small clearing. Here the path to St. Nicholas branches off to the right, while we continue left towards Gradiška Tura.

From the junction the path quickly leads us to a scree slope and then turns right. We continue along the marked path and keep following the signs for Gradiška Tura. Along the way we will also notice boards indicating climbing routes. The path then begins to ascend somewhat more steeply and occasionally beautiful views of the Vipava Valley open up. The path, which here runs along shrubs and through low forest, brings us to the next marked junction where the Furlanova path to Gradiška Tura branches off to the left.

We continue right, where the signs for Gradiška Tura along the Otmar route direct us. The path then runs along a somewhat steeper slope where some protection also helps us. Along such a path we then reach the scenic Oltar.

From Oltar we continue along the steep path, which is in places protected by a cable or pitons, and soon we are again at a junction. This time the usual easier path to Gradiška Tura branches off to the left, while we turn right towards the Otmar route. After a short traverse the path then brings us under the wall where the start of the secured climbing route is.

Before entering the climbing section of the path we equip ourselves with a helmet and a self-belaying set. The use of climbing gloves is also recommended. On the initial section, which is the most difficult part of the path, we first ascend steeply on numerous stemples steeply upwards. The path then turns left and follows a very exposed traverse of the wall where numerous stemples still help us. After the traverse the path turns right upwards and also ascends over a short overhang (difficulty up to C).

Above the overhang follows a slightly less demanding ascent on stemples, which brings us to a ledge by a tree. Above the tree we then ascend along a still relatively steep but well-dissected slope where, in addition to the cable, we are occasionally helped by some stemples or steps carved into the rock. The path here runs somewhat to the right, later turns left upwards and brings us to gentler terrain where the secured path ends for a short time. Here a transverse trail from the top of the Furlanova path also joins from the left.

We continue along the scenic trail, which quickly brings us back to cables. First we ascend along the cable over dissected rock and then another ascent on stemples follows, with the help of which we also climb over a very short overhang. The path then turns right and follows a somewhat exposed traverse, which brings us to the next stemples. With the help of numerous stemples we ascend the wall upwards. We continue again somewhat to the right and the path brings us to somewhat less steep and more vegetated terrain. Here we then ascend for quite some time along the cable on a slightly less demanding slope and a little higher the secured path ends again for a short time.

We continue right along the trail, which past a memorial plaque brings us to the last section of the secured path.

Here we again ascend steeply with the help of stemples and then continue ascending quite steeply for some time along a wide ridge. In the final section there is still an ascent over a short chimney and then the secured path ends.

At the end of the secured path, where an easier path also joins from the left, we continue straight and after approximately 10 minutes of ascent reach the scenic summit.

The described path is categorized as a very difficult mountain path; for the ascent along it the use of a self-belaying set and a helmet is mandatory. In the initial section, which reaches difficulty grade C, some arm strength is also required in the overhang. The secured path is 450 meters long and has 240 meters of elevation gain.

The trip can be extended to the following destinations: Furlanovo zavetišče pri Abramu ( 50 min), Vojkova koča na Nanosu

We recommend: trips from the same starting point, similar trips, panorama, summit register