Rifugio Nordio - Osternig (Ojstrnik) (via Sella Pleccia)

Access to starting point:
We drive to Trbiž / Tarvisio, which is just a few kilometres past the state border on the Italian side of the Rateče border crossing. We can also reach Trbiž / Tarvisio from Austria by first driving to Beljak / Villach and then crossing the Thori-Coccau border to Trbiž / Tarvisio. In Trbiž / Tarvisio, follow the signs for Videm / Udine along the old road (not the motorway). Shortly after Trbiž / Tarvisio, we arrive in the village of Ukve / Ugovizza, where we turn right into the village centre. In the middle of the village, we reach a stream, from which an asphalted mountain road branches uphill along the stream. We drive along this road to a junction, where we go straight ahead (right); immediately after this junction, we reach the next one, where we turn left. We follow this mostly asphalted road to Rifugio Nordio hut, where we park in the parking lot next to the hut.

Route description:
A little below the Nordio hut, a rougher gravel road branches off to the right, ascending along the left side of the right stream. Already after a few steps, a track branches off to the left from the road, then ascending parallel to the road. After five minutes of walking, the track enters the forest and becomes a footpath.
The path starts to climb steeply, passing an abandoned shack to a spring. Just a bit further, we reach a small clearing with an old shepherd's hut.
Further on, the gradient eases slightly, the path running through forest with some smaller glades. Then we cross a gully, and the path quickly leaves the forest. A few more minutes of walking lead to the saddle, where we find signposts and the end of the forest road from Austria.
Here, turn left onto grassy slopes fringed by sparse woods. The path rises steadily, reaching the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows after 15 minutes from the saddle.
Further, the path dips gently onto grassy slopes. Continuing its slight descent, it soon brings us to Planina Bistrica meadow, already visible ahead.
On the meadow, we join a road and climb to signposts for "Osternig". Turn left onto the footpath, which zigzags up the steep grassy flanks of the mountain. About 15 minutes from the road, it steepens and joins an old military mule path; continue right. The gradient eases, leading to a fork. The right path goes to the top past a cross, the left directly up. I recommend the right, just under five minutes longer but more panoramic. Gently rising, it passes a weather station to the cross on the east forepeak. Turn left here along the scenic summit ridge to the top in five minutes.
Rifugio Nordio - Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows 1:15, Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows - Planina Bistrica 15 min, Planina Bistrica - Ojstrnik 45 min.

Along the route: Sella Pleccia (1616m), Marija Snežna (Maria Schnee) pod Gozmanom (1750m), Planina Bistrica (Hutte Oisternig) (1722m)

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