Gradišče pri Vipavi - Gradiška Tura (Otmar route)

Access to starting point:
From Razdrto we drive on the highway towards Nova Gorica or vice versa and head for the Vipava exit. We follow the road ahead towards Vipava and Gradišče. In the village Gradišče we notice the first mountain signposts, which we follow to a larger parking lot by Camp Tura above the village Gradišče.

Route description:
From the parking lot, we go past information boards in the direction of Gradiška Tura and Abram. Initially a relatively wide path leads through the forest and soon brings us to a junction on a smaller clearing. Here, the path branches off to the right towards St. Nikolaj, and we continue left towards Gradiška Tura.
From the junction, the path quickly brings us to scree and then turns to the right. We walk on a marked path and continue to follow the signs for Gradiška Tura. Along the path, we will also notice signs which mark climbing routes. The path then starts to ascend somewhat more steeply and occasionally beautiful views open up on the Vipava Valley. The path, which here runs by bushes and through low forest, brings us to the next marked junction where the Furlan path to Gradiška Tura branches off to the left.
We continue right where signposts for Gradiška Tura via the Otmar path direct us. The path then runs on a somewhat steeper slope where some fixed protection also helps us. On such a path we then reach the panoramic Oltar.
From Oltar we continue on the steep path, which is partly secured with a steel cable or pegs, and soon we are again at a junction. This time the usual easier path to Gradiška Tura branches off to the left, and we head right towards the Otmar path. After a short traverse, the path brings us below the wall where the secured climbing path begins.
Before entering the climbing section of the path, we equip ourselves with a helmet and self-belaying kit. Climbing gloves are also recommended. On the initial section, which is the hardest part of the path, we first ascend steeply upwards on numerous stirrups. The path then turns left and follows a very exposed wall traverse where numerous stirrups still assist us. After the traverse, the path turns right upwards and ascends over a short overhang (difficulty up to C).
Above the overhang follows a slightly less demanding ascent on stirrups, which brings us to a ledge by a tree. Above the tree, we then ascend on a still relatively steep but well-structured slope where, besides the steel cable, some stirrups or rock-carved steps occasionally assist us. The path here runs somewhat to the right, later turns left upwards, and brings us to easier terrain where the secured path ends briefly. Here a transverse path from the top of the Furlan path also joins from the left.
We continue on the panoramic path, which quickly brings us back to the steel cables. First we ascend along the steel cable on structured rock, then follows an ascent on stirrups with whose help 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 stirrups. With the help of numerous stirrups we ascend the wall upwards. We continue somewhat to the right again and the path brings us to somewhat less steep and more vegetated terrain. Here we then ascend along the steel cable for some time on a slightly less demanding slope and somewhat higher the secured path ends briefly again.
We continue right on the path, which past a memorial plaque brings us to the last section of the secured path.
Here we steeply ascend again with the help of stirrups and then for some time ascend quite steeply on a wide gully. In the last part follows an ascent over a short chimney, 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 panoramic summit.
The described path is categorized as a very demanding mountain path, for ascending it the use of a self-belaying kit and helmet is mandatory. In the initial part, which reaches difficulty level C in the overhang, some arm strength is also needed. 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