One of the main characteristics of Istria is wealth of relief shapes. Numerous rocks scattered in the whole Istria make our peninsula an ideal place for rock climbing lovers. This extreme but not necessarily dangerous sport is a real challenge for a modern active human.
At 11 arranged climbing routes on short rocks 10 to 30 meters high there are almost 300 equipped ascents and few dozens directions on high rocks up to 100 meters high. Both top sportsmen and beginners can become exhausted on the rocks full of various obstacles being escorted and led by experienced climbers from the local Free Climbing Club. |
Locations in Istria equipped for free climbing:
- Istarske toplice
- Raspadalica
- Cepic
- Pazin
- Dvigrad
- Limski kanal
- Rovinj
- Vintijan
- Rabac
- Vranjska Draga
- Moscenicka Draga
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Istarske toplice
Riding in a car through the valley of the Mirna river up to Buzet toward the coast, just before we see idyllic medieval town Motovun, we come to the rocky barrier from both sides of the road. Besides a few existing directions, there is a big potential for new directions. For the time being there are 13 directions from 22 to 90 meters where you can climb during the whole year. In the vicinity there are paragliding take off spots and mountain bike roads. There is no bigger danger for children. |
Raspadalica
This climbing route is placed on the Cicarija plateau, which is known by untouched nature and beauty of the landscape and lately of course by modern sport activities: free climbing, paragliding, flying by dragons, potholing adventures, mountain climbing and mountain biking. At the edge of the plateau, next to Raspadalica, there is a rocky barrier where the climbing route with about thirty directions is prepared. Their heights are from 8 to 36 meters. Due to high temperatures, we don’t recommend climbing in summer except in the morning or in the evening. In the vicinity there is a nice resting-place where you can eat. There is also a camp site for camping. |
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Cepic
Cepic is one of almost abandoned villages in the north part of Istria. Its old houses made of stones, gardens and small closed fields conjure up life of old-time Istria. Going down to the field, the road passes through a small picturesque gorge with enough high rocks for climbing. There are 13 prepared directions from 7 to 16 meters high. Foothill is in the shade, so we recommend climbing in the spring and summer. It is possible to take children with you. You can visit this location by mountain bike as well. |
Pazin
This small medieval town is situated in the very center of Istria and it is known by its castle and the Pazinska Jama hole. Jules Verne has described its interior in the novel “Mathias Sandorf” from the anthology “Amazing Travellings”. There are two smaller climbing routes along the Pazinèica riverbed. They are still very interesting because of their attractive location by the river and picturesque waterfall. There is also a half-cave with a waterfall where 15 meters long climbing direction named “Space” passes horizontally. There are totally about twenty climbing directions around Pazin that are 5 to 15 meters high. Climbing is possible during the whole year and there is no danger for children. |
Dvigrad
One of the most famous castles in Istria dominates Limska Dolina valley. It was built in the 11th century and abandoned in the 17th century after the plague epidemic. In the very vicinity of its ruins there is a rocky barrier where the famous Italian climber Maurizio Zanolla arranged the first directions in the beginning of 90s. Quality of the rock and idyllic ambient are reasons more to visit this climbing route where there are 63 directions from 6 to 26 meters high. Due to summer high temperatures and shortage of shade, climbing should be avoided in the sun. There is no danger for children. |
 Limski kanal
Limski Kanal is a deep valley placed from Pazin to the sea. It finishes with 12 kilometers long sea bay having a shape of a fiord. Numerous tourists visit it. At the end of Limski Kanal, just above the road, there is a rock that the climbers started to surmount in the middle of 90s. There are total 63 directions from 8 to 25 meters high. They are convenient for climbing during the whole year. |
Rovinj
The rocks of Rovinj are placed in the park of nature named Golden Cape (
Zlatni rt / Punta corrente) within the beautiful woods. In the past there was a quarry on that place providing stone for Venetian palaces. Since the rocks are placed on the very peak of the cape in the vicinity of the sea, climbing is real pleasure for eyes. Directions are very easy for climbing and convenient for recreation climbers and beginners’ courses. There are total 66 directions from 8 to 16 meters high that can be use for climbing during the whole year. There is no danger for children. |
Rabac
This climbing route is placed on the eastern coast of Istria in the very vicinity of another one tourist center – Rabac. It is possible to equip the new directions, so their number increases every day. Heights of the directions are from 15 to 23 meters and there is a beautiful view to the Bay of Kvarner from them as well as to the old town Labin. They are suitable for climbing during the whole year but they are dangerous for visiting with children. |
Vranjska Draga
It is placed on the northwestern hillside of Ucka Montain. Water and wind made really extraordinary shapes during their thousand years long influences. These are narrow towers littered around the sunny side of the valley. You mustn’t miss this climbing spot because of its extraordinary ambient. The first climbing was recorded in 1931. There are 58 directions from 10 to 100 meters high. You should avoid climbing in the sun. We recommend visit with children because of attractiveness of the location. |
Moscenicka Draga
The climbing route is situated to the south from Lovran toward the peaks of Uèka. It passes through the steep valley. Only a few climbing routs are prepared here, but a potential is huge. Access above the valley as well as the view to the Bay of Kvarner and islands is especially attractive. For the time being there are about twenty prepared directions from 10 to 28 meters high. They are convenient for climbing in any time of the year, but we don’t recommend visits with children. |
