Vranjska or Vela Draga, the vast valley at the foot of Učka's north-western slopes is well known to mountaineers and nature lovers, although it still remains distant and unknown to many.

The canyon starts on the altitude of some 700m at the very entrance to Učka Tunnel, descending down to Boljunsko polje (plane) on 200m.

Vranjska Draga (Vela Draga) canyon

The lower part of Vranjska Draga canyon

Vranjska Draga is dominated by high and sheer rocks which are creating a unique and characteristic karst phenomenon in Istria.

Veliki Toranj

The most attractive and amazing cliff is the 100 mtrs high Great Tower (Veliki Toranj), a natural phenomenon that will surely impress even those who are not so enthusiastic about rock-climbing.

Some rock formations are difficult to access, so Vela Draga canyon provides perfect habitat for numerous protected animal and plant species.

In the year 2004. was created a geological nature trail at the edge of this stunning canyon, with numerous panels along the marked path that provides usefull information about the valley.

Total path lenght is about 600 mtrs and you will need some 30-45 min to make complete round trip.

The canyon is also a part of Učka Nature Park.

Getting There

Entrance into Vela Draga

From Rijeka city drive in direction to Pazin/Buzet in Istria. After 25 kn you will drive through the Tunnel of Učka. Turn right just after the tunnel and then turn left at the T-junction. Park on the left side of the road after some 200 mtrs on the small parking lot where you will notice the first Vela Draga instructive panel and first markings.

If you are coming from Istria inland than you have drive towards the Učka tunnel and just before entering you have to turn right (near the gas station) towards the local road and than on the crossroads left.

Climbing at Vranjska Draga canyon

After the beginning of the twentieth century, when its "towers" were discovered by mountaineers from Trieste (famous rock climber Emilio Comici), Vranjska Draga becomes a place of training and an inevitable location for all free climbing enthusiast.

Today Vela Draga canyon offers more than 60 well equipped climbing routes.

Optimal season for climbing is autumn and spring. It is also pleasant in winter time if there is no wind. Very hot in summer.

Canyon climbing routes (all below mentioned routes are protected by bolts):

Sector - Nad tunelom

Sector - Nad tunelom

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Wave of the future	7a+	20m
02.	Kameleon	6c	20m
03.	Zoo	6b	25m
04.	Nonićev	6c	15m
05.	Fant	6a+	25m
06.	Sunčana Luka	6a	30m
07.	Petrin	6a+	30m

Sector - Grga

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Moje zlo	6a	10m
02.	Grga	6b	12m
03.	Cvrčak	7a	10m

Vid - Svijeća (eng. Candle) tower

Limestone tower - Svijeća

Sector - Svijeća

Climbing is not allowed anymore!!!

Sector - Okno

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Nad oknom	6a	10m

Sector - Furija

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Furija	6a+	12m

Sector - Rukavica

Rukavica (eng. Glove)

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Torpedo	6b	25m
02.	Huncut	6c	10m
03.	Pukotina	5b	25m
04.	Desni rub	6b	25m

Sector - Gorgona

Gorgona sector seen from Veliki Toranj

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Zimbabve	6b+	13m
02.	Fingerplay	6c+	13m
03.	Black coffie	5c+	13m
04.	Bijelo pranje	4b+	13m
05.	Cracker	5b	11m
06.	Motika direct	6a+	11m
07.	Motika	5a	11m
08.	Fu - fu	5c	11m
09.	Vježbevnik	7b	11m
10.	Gorgona	6b	11m
11.	T.D.	6c/6c+	11m
12.	Ružica	5c	12m
13.	Žuta ruža	5c	12m
14.	Bršljanov žlijeb	5b	14m
15.	Ljubica	5a+	15m
16.	I am from Austria	5c	15m

Sector - Fliper

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Bršljanov rub	4a	13m
02.	Onaniko	5c	12m
03.	Stojan	4a	11m
04.	Fliper	6a	10m
05.	Pinčica	4b	10m

Sector - Castello (W)

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Simona	6c+	12m
02.	Črviček	6c	12m

Climbers on Veliki Toranj (eng. Big Tower)

Sector - Castello (S)

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Napoleon	7b+	15m

Sector - Castello (S-W,W)

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Plastic sausage	6a+	12m
02.	Amonijak	6c	11m
03.	Dinamit	6c+	11m
04.	Krokodil	6a/6a+	11m

Sector - Veliki toranj

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Commici brid	6a	40m
02.	Crna mačka	7a+	20m
03.	Tutti-frutti	6a+	20m
04.	Odiseja	6a+	15m
05.	Feniks	6c	17m

Sector - Ispod tornja

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Fantazija	7a+	22m
02.	Milanov	6c/A0	80m

Sector - Northern barrier

Northern barrier

No.	Route name	Grade	Lenght
01.	Prljava sudbina	6c (5c,6c)	80m
02.	Nirvana	6c (6c,6b)	90m
03.	Yugu - yugu	6c+	30m
04.	Socijalni problem	6c+ (5b,6c+,6a+)	100m
05.	Papagalo	6b (6b,3)	Upper the tunnel 50 m

Red tape

Vranjska Draga canoyon is protected landscape area and therefore it is protected by the Croatian Low on Nature Protection.

Oak tree

"Protected landscape is a natural or cultivated district of more aesthetic or cultural and historic value, or a landscape characteristic of a particular region. In protected landscapes are not allowed actions that violate the characteristics of
which is declared."

Prohibited activities:

- off-road driving and driving out of the main public roads
- waster dumping
- destruction or removal of cave decorations, fossils and minerals
- destruction of plants, animals or fungi
- making fire
- camping
- making noise

More informations

Climbing tower at Vela Draga

Entrance tickets: free entrance

Opening Hours: non-stop

Contacts:

Učka Nature Park Public Institution
Address: Liganj 42
Postal Code: HR-51415 Lovran
Phone: + 385 (0)51 293753
Fax: + 385 (0)51 293751
E-mail: park.prirode.ucka@inet.hr
Website: www.pp-ucka.hr

Weather conditions in the area

Informations on weather conditions in the area can be found on
Croatian State Hydro-meteorological Institute site:

Weather forecast for Učka

Images



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