Description

An impressive crag on the slopes above Buzet. This big overhanging amphitheater offers mostly harder routes. Here recreational climbers will find only a handful of routes for themselves. Despite this, this crag is worth seeing due to the surroundings and its unusual location. It is particularly interesting in spring when an almost thirty-meter waterfall runs through a big opening in the central part of the overhang. This crag is decidedly more of a winter crag due to its orientation, and even then, it tends to get hot on sunny days because of the amphitheatric shape. Shade comes during the morning. After frequent rain, the stalactites can be wet and damp for an extended period.
Note: The approach to the crag leads across a small via ferrata on which you need to secure yourself, so we advise you not to take small children with you. There is very little space under the rock face, for ten people at most. The entrance to most of the climbing routes is from a fixed rope stretched at the base of the rock face. When you see more than three vehicles on the parking lot, which is also not big, it is best to turn around and search for another climbing site.
Accommodation: Rooms and guesthouse near Buzet: www.tz-buzet.com. Camp in Motovun: www.motovun-camping.com.

History

This spot was also “discovered” by Leo Baumgartner, the author of the crag Kompanj. Gerhard Horhager and Jorg Verhoeven did most of the work in equipping the routes, with a contribution from Markus Bock. Local climbers established a few routes.

Sopot (Pandora)

The area is access sensitive!

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From roundabout in Buzet head in direction of Rijeka until you reach the shopping mall Plodine. Turn left towards the mall and pass by it until the first side road to the right. Ascend the narrow road until you reach the small hamlet of Strana. Just before the end of the ascend turn right to a narrow dirt road that leads to a widening just above the crag (hunting stand).
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Follows the right hand narrow trail until it reaches a via ferrate that descends to the bottom of the crag (5 min).
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The second option (easier): 1.7 km after leaving the main road, park the car on the left side widening.
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From here follow the narrow, partially marked trail – at the beginning of the trail a signpost directs you to the crag (10-15 min).
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If coming from the direction of Rijeka, leave the main road towards the village Brgad, some four kilometres before Buzet. Pass through the village, reach a dirt road and follow it until the next village (Strana). Turn left to the paved road and follow it downhill until you reach the first side road on the left. Further on is the same as in the first variant of the approach.