When you first come to Pandora, your jaw will drop as you gaze at one of the most brutal overhangs in this part of the world, which is dotted with many holds. The airy base under the wall seems to float in the air and when the waterfall falls through the hole in the wall and sprays the lush vegetation underneath, you will feel as if you were in the Avatar movie – hence the nickname for the crag. Of course, everyone climbing under 8a will only be able to nibble at the crag a bit on the sides, as you need to pump yourself up for the true routes.
ACCESS
Drive through Buzet towards Rijeka. When you see the Plodine supermarket, turn left immediately and go past the shop (unless you have to buy something or grab a coffee).Take the first right turn after the market and drive for some time on the road in the forest. Eventually you will arrive to a village. Park unobtrusively on the side of the road after the first big bend. Then go past the house to the forest and be mindful for a turn left uphill towards the wall. If you reach the riverbed you‘ve gone too far.
WEATHER
Pandora is essentially a winter crag, as the shape of the wall quickly adds a couple of degrees, while most routes will warm up your body quite a lot. The rain doesn‘t matter here, but when the crag gets wet, it takes a while to dry. In the summer more radical climbers climb at night – supposedly it‘s top notch.
ROCK QUALITY
The rock is surprisingly good, also because there are not as many tufas as you may think at first. The routes are new and perfectly equipped. Don‘t bring hyperactive kids to Pandora – the fall from the small plateau under the crag can be very long. Usually there aren‘t many climbers here, but the base is small so it gets crowded fast.
ENVIROMENTAL NOTES
Don‘t disturb villagers with your behavior and parking. Be careful under the wall. In the heat snakes may decorate the surroundings.
Recommended accommodations
Apartments Roža
Roč 16, 52425 Roč, Croatia
Stay in Apartments Roža and enjoy in one of the best climbing areas in Istria. Roč is an excellent base for climbing in the crags near this charming village. Just a few minutes away by car to Kompanj, Čiritež, Vela draga, Buzetski kanjon or Kamena vrata. We offer two comfortable fully equipped apartments for max. 7 people. Air conditioning, fireplace, unique wine cellar or open terrace makes it comfortable in any season. Welcome to Roč!
Vela Stina camping
Stanica Roč 9, 52425 Roč, Croatia
We are a family run camping place located in Roč. Our camping place is located 15 minutes drive from Buzet, and a 10 minute drive from the smallest town in the world, Hum. Being located in central Istria, we are ideally placed for your Istrian adventure, be that hiking, climbing, paragliding, biking, or just chilling in a relaxed location, watching the sun come up over the Učka mountain.
Mountain Lodge Istria
Krulčići 24, 52425 Roč, Croatia
Mountain Lodge Istria is located in the mountains of the beautiful Istrian peninsula. It is run by two climbers Ines Papert and Luka Lindič. Inspired by their original experiences on numerous expeditions, the two mountaineers decided to renovate two old stone houses with their own hands and create a place of community for climbers from all over the world.
ROUTES (from left to right)
The less interesting side walls offer technical routes. The main part has endurance challenge with individual cruxes. This is definitely a crag for better climbers, especially those who love tufa and acrobatic climbing.
Take a long rope and enough quickdraws and hope that you won‘t need them (since many are pre-placed), because it‘s hell to un-clip them.
A – Left part
| Riba na oko | 6a | 10m |
| Bitch Bug | 6b | 15m |
| Brave little snake | 6b+ | 15m |
| Benjamin | 6c | 15m |
| Roč fieber | 7b | 15m |
| Iris | 7b+ | 16m |
| Chin Check | 7c | 16m |
| Marmots at work | 8a | 18m |
| Neytiri | 8a | 20m |
| Mule trail traverse (start in Neytiri, finish in Avatar) | 8b+ | 35m |
| Weed and speed | 8b+ | 20m |
| Es ist vollbracht | 8b+ | 20m |
| Snoop Dogg direct | 8a+ | 20m |
| Snoop Boggi Dogg | 7c+ | 20m |
| 90 days | 8b | 20m |
| 90 days direct | P | 20m |
| Scrat | 8b+ | 20m |
| Avatar | 8b | 20m |
| Blob | 8c | 22m |
| P | ? | 22m |
| P | ? | 22m |
| Žopa que te cagas | 8a+ | 25m |
| Toruk Makto | 8b | 23m |
| Toruk Makto direct | 8a+ | 20m |
B – Right part
| Hello big bird | P | 24m |
| Escape = Hello big bird to the right | 8a+ | 24m |
| Nina Voljo | 8a | 22m |
| Lou Lou the golden boy | 7b+ | 17m |
| Show me your genitals | 7c | 18m |
| Little green bug | 8a+ | 22m |
| Eywa | 7b | 15m |
| Patapon | 7a+ | 13m |
| Wildschwein | 6c | 12m |
| Liliput (left variant) | 6a+ | 13m |
| Liliput | 6b+ | 13m |
| Hunter | 6b | 13m |