Costiera

Costiera is full of old patina – there are some rusty bolts, strange anchors and routes that cross each other and zigzag on the wall, and often earn their grade in a nasty or polished crux. But Costiera redeems itself with its scenic location above the sea (which you can reach via a steep path), with tranquility and a little sense of adventure. This is not a big climbing anthill, although it offers many routes of all grades, among which many beauties are hidden.
 
 
ACCESS
Costiera lies beside the coastal road between Trieste and Sistiana. You get there the easiest by following the motorway A4, where you take the exit Sistiana and stay on the left side (sign for Costiera). Driving along the road above the coast you will get to a tunnel with a scenic spot and parking – a couple of cars fit on both sides of the tunnel. For the new sector cross the railing at the end of the rest spot and descend on a steep way down. For the old sector cross the railing on the other side of the tunnel and follow the ferrata towards the wall (look at the photo for the spot where you go down).

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PARKING GPS
N 45°74’37.85”, E 13°66’57.76”

WEATHER
Costiera is a winter crag. The closeness of the sea can bring freshness, which is nice in spring or autumn, when a hot sunny day can be uncomfortable. In summer it is simply too hot, so instead of going to the crag, continue towards the sea and save yourself a heart attack. Mind the sea urchins.

QUALITY
The rock is solid. But it can be polished. The bolts are generally nice, even re-equipped recently, though there are some old ones. There are some comfortable plateaus at the base, but the approach itself is not advisable for toddlers and feeble people. Some beginnings of routes can be a bit psychotic.

GEAR
Most routes are short and the long ones have usually an anchor in the middle. So if you can re-tie your knot, you should be fine with a shorter rope, but take at least 14 quickdraws.

ROUTES
Be a little conservative and try a grade or two below your level – at least at the beginning. The routes are mostly vertical with an occasional overhang, often polished and at times quite cruxy – either they had really hard grades back then or the ravages of time made them harder. The cruxes are a combo of technical climbing and power, with a few tufas to spice things up.

NOTES
Don‘t leave valuables in the car – there have been some reported thefts. And watch out when you drive back to the road.

ROUTES (from left ot right):

A – Left part
Papillon	5b	17 m
Papillon extension	6b+	35 m
Tropical	7c	20 m
Wovie Zowie	7b+	20 m
Armadillo brillo	6b	40 m
Jango	6c+	20 m
Meglio di niente	7c	18 m
Shadow	7b	18 m
La mela	6c	18 m
Santa Esmeralda	8a	18 m
Cocomo	8a	18 m
Pensiero positivo	7c	20 m
Romantico scoglio	6b+	40 m
Variante Aldin	6b+	20 m
Macedonia	4c	16 m
Macedonia extension	7b	40 m
Liquerizia	6b+	25 m
Mister Fantasy	7b+	15 m
C’est plus facile	6c	8 m
Gelati	6c	40 m
Settimo cielo	6c	25 m
Settimo cielo extension	7a+	30 m
Rambo	7a+	25 m
Rambo extension	7c	30 m
Kura	7c+	27 m
Colibri	8a+	20 m
Piperita Patty	6c+	20 m
Piperita Patty extension	7a+	27 m
Mago mago	6b+	27 m
Kren caramel	6c	25 m
House party	7c+	20 m
Jon Jon	6c	20 m
Burattino pazzo	6a+	20 m
Topo Gigio	5c	25 m
Gabriella tutta panna	5c	25 m
B – Right part
Finferlucchere	5b	40 m
Survival	6b	25 m
Hass Fidanken	6b+	18 m
Hass Fidanken extension	6c	40 m
Tramezzino	6c	20 m
Coca Cola kid	7c	15 m
Pallido inverno	7a+	15 m
Exodus	7b	35 m
Ultimo tango	P	35 m
Proghetto	P	23 m
Bala Lugosi	6c+	25 m
Bala Lugosi extension	7a+	35 m
Minami	7b	22 m
Doris	8a	35 m
Faccia a faccia con se stessi	7b	12 m
Pasticcini	6b+	30 m
Pasticcini extension	7b	40 m
Gratton pour homme	P	13 m
Comici	6a	25 m
Comici extension	6b	40 m
Variante centrale	6b	15 m
C – Costiera nuova
?	6a	10 m
?	6a	10 m
L’ingegner	5c+	25 m
Elisir d’equilibrio	7a	25 m
?	6a	12 m
Il custode della terra	6b+	18 m
Placca del Lorenzo	7b	25 m
Per intenditori	7a	25 m
Altri tempi	5c	23 m
Xocen	5c	23 m