8 days
Duration
Easy to Moderate
Difficulty
Croatia
Location
April-October
Availability

Discover the stunning medieval towns and breathtaking natural beauty of the Dalmatian coast

Dubrovnik; the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities

Enjoy relaxed walking in the peaceful surroundings of the lush and dreamy Konavle valley

Explore the unspoilt, car-free island of Lopud in the shimmering Adriatic Sea

Hiking on shaded paths in the National Park of Mljet, Croatia’s greenest island


Self-guided walking holiday on Croatia’s Adriatic coast

On this week-long walking holiday, you will explore the stunningly beautiful ancient walled town of Dubrovnik as well as its equally picturesque surrounding region. You will discover the delights of Southern Dalmatia on numerous wonderful walking paths.

Beginning in the the ancient walled town of Ston, on the Pelješac peninsula, this is a varied and relaxed walking holiday. You will experience the natural beauty of the undiscovered Konavle countryside and coastal areas, as well as traditional Dalmatian villages and the green island of Mljet, which Lonely Planet describes as “the most seductive island in the Adriatic”. You will be able to get a feel for the local way of life and sample many delicious regional dishes, including fresh seafood and grilled fish.

Exploring the Croatian coast and islands on foot offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the region’s stunning natural landscapes and ancient towns and villages. You will discover the cultural heritage which makes Dubrovnik and Southern Dalmatia one of the must-see world destinations.

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS From €880 per person sharing*

*A surcharge will apply during the busy summer months.
*A single supplement fee will apply for solo walkers.

ACCOMMODATION

You will stay in comfortable locally-owned B&Bs / guesthouses / apartments throughout the trip. All rooms have private bathrooms.
AVAILABILITY You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April and October.
INCLUDED
7 x overnight stays in B&Bs / guesthouses / apartments
7 x breakfasts
Day 1: transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Ston.
Day 3: transfer from Ston to Praprano port.
Day 3: ferry to Mljet and transfer to your accommodation.
Day 5: ferry from Mljet to Dubrovnik.
Day 6: ferry from Dubrovnik to Lopud island and return.
Day 7: transfer from Dubrovnik to the Konavle Valley.
Day 8: transfer to Dubrovnik airport for return flight.
Materials, maps and route notes for self-guided walking tours
Timetables for buses and boats and other useful info.
Orientation services provided by local agents for each destination
Local emergency support
NOT INCLUDED
Flights and travel insurance
Lunches or dinners
Personal expenses (drinks, phone calls, tips, etc.)
Entrance to Mljet National Park (around €20 pp., must be paid locally)
Any other items not mentioned in the program
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Guided historical tour of Dubrovnik: €100 per group (1-4 pax).
Other activities such as sea kayaking, cycling, snorkelling. Please enquire for info.
Single room supplement: €300
1

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the village of Ston

You will be met at Dubrovnik Airport and transported to the medieval village of Ston, on the Pelješac peninsula, where you will stay for the first two nights. Depending on your arrival time, we suggest taking an easy walking tour around the town walls or the salt pools around the bay.

Ston was a major fort of the Republic of Ragusa, whose majestic town walls were regarded as a major feat of medieval architecture. The town’s inner wall measures 890 metres in length, while the Great Wall outside of the town has a circumference of 5 kilometres. The walls extend to Mali Ston (“Little Ston”), a small town on the northern side of the Pelješac peninsula and to the end of the Bay of Mali Ston. Ston is renowned for its excellent oysters and its salt production.

Overnight: Ston.

2

Day 2: Walk the Napoleonic Road and vineyards of Ston

Distance: 16 km

On your second day in Ston you will take a walk towards the wine growing area above Ston town. The route starts in the picturesque valley of Ston, from where you follow the historic trail known as the Napoleonic Road. This trail takes you to the interior of the peninsula, where you will find vineyards that have been painstakingly built on the stone terraces high above the shimmering sea and the Ston valley. Today’s walk offers wonderful views over the city walls, salt works, and the surrounding bays with their oyster farms.

Overnight: Ston.

3

Day 3: Mljet island: loop walk around the lakes

Distance: up to 14km

Your day will start with a transfer to the port of Prapratno (near Ston), from where you will take a boat to the island of Mljet. You will then be driven to your accommodation in the village of Polače.

Mljet, often called “the green island” because of its lush vegetation, is a real pearl of the Adriatic Sea and one of eight Croatian national parks. According to legend, Odysseus used the island as a safe haven on his trips among the islands in the Greek archipelagos. Mljet is renowned for its beautiful Mediterranean vegetation, clear blue sea, numerous bays, beaches and cliffs, as well as two lovely saltwater lakes which are warm even during the colder part of the year.

The island also offers wonderful, shaded walking trails. Your walk today begins in the village of Polače, behind the ancient remains of the 2nd century Roman palace. You will walk through the national park and around its crystal-clear saltwater lakes*. both lakes are encircled by well-marked paths. The duration of the walk is approximately 4 hours, allowing time to go for a refreshing swim and enjoy lunch in a local tavern before returning to Polače.

*Mljet National Park has an entrance fee of around €15 – 20 per person, which must be paid directly on the island, to support the local community.

Overnight: Polače (or Pomena), Mljet.

4

Day 4: Mljet: hike to Montukuc hill and Babine Kuće

Distance: 12 km

Today you have more time to enjoy the idyllic tranquility of Mljet island. Our suggested self-guided hiking route takes you to the highest peak in the national park, the Montokuc hill. From here you can enjoy stunning views over the park, as well as to the Peljesac peninsula and to Korcula island. On your way down from Montokuc, you will walk through the pine forests to get to the saltwater lakes. You will pass through the hilly village of Govedari and the tiny village of Babine Kuće on the shore of the large lake. From here you will have great views over to Melita Islet and its 12th century Benedictine Monastery, and it is also possible to take a boat trip over to the islet.

Overnight: Polače (or Pomena), Mljet.

5

Day 5: Free day in Dubrovnik

Today begins with a morning ferry from Mljet to the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik. The old town is completely pedestrianised, and you could happily spend a day just wandering around its narrow, cobbled lanes. For the best views, walk a circuit of the 13th-century city walls or take the cable car up to Mt. Srd for a bird’s eye view of the city and its offshore islands, scattered across the shimmering Adriatic.

You can either explore the town by yourself or take an optional guided historical walking tour (extra cost). Either way, you will surely understand why writer George Bernard Shaw was once moved to declare “those who seek paradise on Earth should come and see Dubrovnik.” Many locations around the city will be very familiar to fans of the TV series Game of Thrones.

There is also the option today of taking a half-day trip to the island of Lokrum. The island is home to a wonderful botanic garden, as well as many peacocks and rabbits.

Overnight: Dubrovnik

6

Day 6: Walking on the island of Lopud

Distance: 9 km

In the morning you will take the ferry from Dubrovnik port to the Elaphiti island of Lopud (journey 45 mins approx.).

Car-free Lopud has the prettiest settlement of all the Elafitis, composed of stone houses surrounded by exotic gardens and overlooked by ruined fortresses. Numerous walking paths amid lush vegetation make Lopud a perfect place for a hiking getaway from Dubrovnik. We suggest a 9 km loop walk around the island, along which you can discover old forts and churches, a botanical garden and magnificent cliff views, as well as one of the best beaches in the Dubrovnik area.

The biggest village on the island (also named Lopud) is located in a picturesque bay, with a waterfront Franciscan monastery surrounded by palm and citrus trees. The hiking trail starts at the port and follows the streets and steps out of Lopud village, all the way up to the magnificent viewpoint at the Kastio fort and Church of St. John. Further on you will enjoy views overlooking the cliffs on the southern side of the island, as well as walking along the beautiful sandy Šunj beach, where you can find a bar serving fresh grilled fish. The trail ends back at the port in the village of Lopud.

There are several afternoon departure times for your return to Dubrovnik.

Overnight: Dubrovnik

7

Day 7: Dubrovnik to the Konavle Valley

After breakfast you will be driven to the nearby Konavle Valley. This quiet corner south of Dubrovnik is renowned for its lush Mediterranean vegetation, charming villages and dramatic coastal cliffs. The mountains provide an impressive backdrop to this fertile agricultural region. You will find cypress and pine trees in abundance, with vineyards almost everywhere you turn.  The Konavle valley is best known for malvazija, an endemic grape producing a very pleasant white wine. Life goes by slowly in this picturesque farming area near the border with Montenegro.

Konavle has many wonderful walking trails, and you can choose between a shorter or longer self-guided walk.

Short option: 12.5 km

This takes you across the valley, through woodland and vineyards and along the Ljuta river. Here you will see many historic water mills.

Long option: 15 km

The longer route explores the charming villages, countryside and coastline of Konavle. Starting from your accommodation, your route climbs westwards to the picturesque village of Radovčići. The trail continues to the coast at Popovići, where the cliffs drop dramatically to the Adriatic Sea at the stunning Pasjaca beach. You return along a path which follows the old railroad to Gruda and Tušići.

Overnight: Gruda, Konavle.

8

Day 8: Departure

Your walking holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning. You will be transferred to Dubrovnik airport for your return flight.


Getting to Dubrovnik

  Dubrovnik Airport is served by direct flights from many European cities.
Airport transfers are included in your itinerary: You will be picked up from Dubrovnik Airport and driven to your accommodation in Ston on day 1, and on day 8 you will be picked up at your accommodation in Gruda and driven back to the airport.

Croatia Dubrovnik walking holiday
View of Medieval Ston from the town walls
Hiking around Ston
Vineyard on the Peljsac Peninsula
Ston
Mljet island
National Park on the 'green island' of Mljet
The St. Mary Benedictine monastry on Mljet
Mljet sunrise
Mljet island, view back to the Croatian mainland
The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Harbour
Spectacular view over the old town of Dubrovnik
Taking a break in Dubrovnik's old town
Lopud island with its Franciscan monastery
Hiking on Lopud island
Hiking on Croatia's Adriatic Coast
The verdant Konavle valley (c) Konavle Tourist Board
Hiking in Konavle
Dramatic cliffs and beach at Popovići, Konavle (c) Konavle Tourist Board
Old watermill on the Ljuta river

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 1 review
06/06/2022

Hiking Dubrovnik’s coast and islands was a fantastic introduction to our 3 weeks in Croatia. We especially like that the trip begins in a small rural guesthouse in a quiet village, where you meet local people and see their lives, not in the hubbub of the city. In May the birds and wildflowers are delightful. The pace and mix of activities was just right, the support provided by local guides was extraordinary, and everything worked smoothly. Wild Rover communicates quickly and thoroughly through the planning process and feels very personal.

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