Overview
The NW face of Ojstrnik, seen from the summit of Starhand
From the SE
From the west
What's New On This Page?
> March 13th, 2013: SP V3 design updated.> December 29th, 2009: The chapter of Zahomec added.
> January 6th, 2005: Initial set up of the page.
Ojstrnik/Oisternig Gets Presented
Even if I'm an advocate of writing names of mountains on multi-lingual areas with all names, I shall in this case use only the Slovenian name. The other two names, the Italian Monte Osternig and German Oisternig are transcriptions with the later origin.Ojstrnik is the last high summit in the Carnic Alps Main Ridge, going from west towards east. Despite its name (in Slovenian language 'oster' means 'sharp') here only little is left of Carnic Alps rocky nature. Only summit slopes are mixed rocky and grassy, already 200 meters below only grassy slopes are all around and below the altitude of some 1600 meters there are mainly broad forests.
The mountain is very popular. First of all because its panorama and secondly because of an easy access. Many forrest roads and cart-roads, although closed for public traffic, reach the high regions of Ojstrnik, the highest one coming even to Feistrizer Alm, 1720m. So primarily this summit is a nice hiking destination, in winter and early spring also a tour skiing destination and I believe that many roads offer also many mountain-biking possibilities.
Zahomec / Monte Acomizza / Schoenwipfel, 1813 m
The second summit in this small group, which is worth visiting, is the grassy Zahomec / Monte Acomizza / Schoenwipfel, rising SE of Ojstrnik/Oisternig. It is lower, but because being even closer to the Julian Alps, it also offers a great panorama. NW of its summit is Zahomska planina / Achomitzer Alm, where also a mountain road reaches. So in summer this area is also very popular for mountain biking. In winter almost all slopes are nice for skiing.  On Zahomska planina / Achomitzer Alp |  Eastern Julian Alps |  Sunset |
Summit Views
Summer
 Eastern Julian Alps |  Western Julian Alps |  Carnic Alps |  Towards the NW |
Winter
 Mangart group |  Dobrač |  Northern view |  Viš and Montaž |
Getting There
Carnic Alps Main Ridge - Eastern part
Ugovizza/Ukve
For general overview, see the Carnic Alps group page and the Carnic Alps Main Ridge (East) subgroup page.
Northern (Austrian) trailheads are in Gailtal / Ziljska dolina. Driving towards west we can reach villages of Feistritz and Vorderberg from Villach in some 18 or 27 kilometers.
From southern (Italian) side the best starting point is Valle di Ugovizza (valley), into which we drive from the Udine - Tarvisio - Villach highway from the village of Ugovizza/Ukve. This road is closed for public traffic on the altitude of 1210m, at Rif. Nordio Deffar (hut).
On the web, you can see a detailed map on: http://www.austrianmap.at/.
A very recommendable classical map is: Tabacco: Alpi Giulie Occidentali Tarvisiano, 1:25000.
Routes Overview
Ojstrnik and some of its routes
Because of so many forest and cart-roads there is a great variety of possible ascents on Ojstrnik. Below are just some most convenient.
Summer routes
1. From SW, from Valle di Ugovizza. From the parking place on 1210 m we go either N towards Lom (saddle) and the E to Feistritzer Alm and the summit, or immediately E to Sella Pleccia and then N to Feistritzer Alm and the summit. 3 h.
2. From S, from Camporosso, 810 m, near Tarvisio we follow the road and markings No. 508 towards N to the summit of M. Acomizza / Schoenwipfel, 1813 m, and further towards N to Feistritzer Alm and the summit. 5 h.
3. From NE, from Feistritz we follow all the time the forrest road and markings No. 481 to Feistritzer Alm and the summit. 5 h.
4. From N, from Vorderberg we follow the forrest road and markings No. 15 and 478 to Werbutzalm, above which we reach the NE ridge and by it (see #2) continue to the summit. 4-5 h.
5. The other option from Vorderberg is the western road, which goes above Vorderberger Wildbach (creek) and by Dolinzabach (creek) to Lom (saddle) in the main Carnic Alps crest and then as described in #1 to the summit. 5 h.
Below Bistriška planina / Feistrizer Alm
Ski tours
Because Ojstrnik has nice slopes on all sides, the ski tour can be chosen, considering snow conditions. Often we can choose between the southern firn and the northern powder snow.
1. From Valle di Ugovizza, as described above in #1 summer ascent.
2. From the NE, from Feistritz as described above in #3 summer ascent. We don't need to go all the way to Feistritzer Alm, but can ascend the summit also directly from Untere Alm (and ski down there).
3. From Lom saddle directly, or over the NW slope. Perhaps this is the most beautiful ski tour on Ojstrnik. We reach Lom saddle either from the N or from the S, then we follow the main ridge. By the NW slope we can find up to 600 meters of powder snow, all the way down to Dolinza/Dolinca meadow.
4. Skiing down on Werbutzalm and further to Vorderberg. We probably will not ascend by this route, but if we ski from the summit by the E ridge to a broad saddle, there we find a steep ravine, which brings us down on the road to Werbutzalm. From the meadow, we continue northwards down through a light forrest to a hut, where we hit a forrest road. Then by the road down to Vorderberg. It is also possible to ski down by the rib, going down west of Werbutzalm.
5. From Val Bartolo. We go by the road on Bartolo saddle, then by the other road or east ridge on top.
Red Tape
There are no limitations.When To Climb
Any time of the season.Mountain Huts
Dolinca huts
The ascent can be normally done in one day. In summer three huts are supporting outdoor activities around Ojstrnik.
Starhand hut on Lom saddle, 1460 m, private. Opened from mid May or start June till end of October, 7+15 beds, tel.: 04283/2004.
Feistritzer Alm, 1718 m, private. Opened from May till September, 8 beds.
Schoenwipfel Schutzhaus, 1715 m. Opened in July and August, 10 + 5 beds, tel.: 04256/3163.
Books
