A walk to the Otlica Natural Window

About the Otlica Natural Window Walk

Otlica Window

The Otlica (translated as Outside) Natural Window is a natural "window in the landscape, in the hills above Ajdovščina. The Vipava Valley Tourist Board describes the walk  as a 3 hour walk with an 800m ascent, and walk along the Trnovo Plateau, promising sweeping views of Vipava Valley, Karst Plateau and Adriatic Sea. 

Nicole and I completed this walk on the third day of our Vipava Valley walking holiday. In all our walk was 10 miles and took us nearly 6 hours (including breaks), somewhat longer than we expected, which may have been because we missed a shorter path on our descent, although it may also have been because I kept stopping to photograph the stunning scenery!

Viewranger map of Otlica Window Walk

Starting the walk

The route started at the Hisa Mladih Youth Centre and Hostel in Pale, by following part of a circular educational trail (which could be accessed from the back of the Youth Hostel,behind the mountain bike stunt track). Alternatively walk up the road, as we did, as we couldn't find the start at the Hostel! I've added some pictures to help future walkers. Both routes go to the source of the river Hubelj. 

Hisa Mladih Youth Hostel

Nature trail

Start of nature trail

source of the river Hubelj

The route to the Otlica Natural Window was signposted from where we reached the source of the river, following a rocky path upwards, close to the road bridge.

Start of the walk, left of the source of river Hubeilj

The path up, which was well marked, was a steady climb, though much easier than the Nanos climb we had completed 2 days earlier. An array of wild flowers. (I really must try to learn their names) lined the route, filling the air with their scent. With the sound of cuckoos in the background and lizards slithering into the undergrowth, it was magical,until my attention was caught by a different sound and I spotted a snake disappearing into the undergrowth.I didn't know what kind it was, but it is worth mentioning here that Slovenia does have several venomous snakes. You can find information on them on the Total Slovenia News website.

 

The ascent

The Devil and Mali Okno

Devil rock

Twenty minutes later came to a rock with what looks like a picture of a devil on it. Naturally our curiosity was aroused, but as Google Translate was defeated by it as well, we never solved the mystery.

We continued up, until a small clearing with a bench, from which we enjoyed lovely views over Ajdovščina and the hills we had explored the previous day on the Vertovec trail. 

Nicole enjoys a break overlooking Ajdovščina

View of Ajdovščina from bench

 

View on ascent

Nicole on the ascent

 













We continued to climb upwards, until a sign pointed towards Mali Okno (Small Window). This was the first view of the Otlca Window. From this side it appeared small and tree trunks could be see through it.

Mali Okno

The path continued and steepened until it opened into a meadow. We detoured along a path to the left, to a Stone Snail artwork by Architect Damjam Popelar. 

Reaching the top of the ridge

Stone snail

Retracing our steps, we then took a path to the right and headed towards the Otlica Window. It took us 2 hours to reach the window, We followed steps to get close to it, so that we could admire views of the village of Lokavec framed by the “window.” 

Otlica Window

A selfie of Nicole and me by the window

Along the ridge

After admiring and photographing this natural phenomenon, we continued along a well-marked path (Pt Po Robu) which follows a ridge towards Sinji Vrh. The views along the ridge were beautiful. It was a lovely clear day and we could clearly see as far as the Triest Bay. There was an amazing display of wild flowers in the meadows. The air was filled with the sound of cuckoos and we saw hawks hovering overhead. 

Wild flowers

 

 

 

 

 

Walking along the ridge

 

Walking along the ridge

Making our descent

After about an hour, we took a downward track towards Ajdovščina. The narrow path descended quickly through trees, switching back and forth, before opening onto a wider, straight downward path.

Start of the descent

  

Descent along arrow path

 

It was here that we expected to find a shorter path back, but somehow missed it. We later found where it came out along the forest track just before the road at the source of the River Hubijl. It was clear that had we found the shorter route, it would have been pretty steep, so maybe it was just as well we didn’t. 

Wide forest track

We continued along the straight downward path which led to a wide forest track, where we turned right and followed it back to the source of the River Hubijl. It took us around 2 hours to descend, then a further 30 minutes to complete the educational trail by the river, finishing at the Youth hostel, where we enjoyed a well-earned drink.

At the Faladur Wine Bar. 

We finished the day visiting the Faladur Wine Bar, in the centre of Ajdovščina, where we sampled a few of the excellent local wines and delicious cheeses

I hope you enjoyed this blog.

Please read my Vipava Valley blog for more information on this region.