18 Ploče/Trpanj - Ston
Through vineyards and olive groves of the Pelješac peninsula to the medieval town of Ston
Ploče/Trpanj – Trstenik (24 km) – Žuljana (30 km) – Putnikovići (37 km) – Ston (56 km) |
|
distance 56.00 km |
|
start Ploče/Trpanj |
|
end Ston |
|
total climb 630.00 m |
|
Taking a ferry from the Port of Ploče to Trpanj, the route leads to Pelješac, the second largest Croatian peninsula. It is 77 km long, quite hilly and criss-crossed by karst fields. Its highest peak is Sveti Ilija (961 m) rising above Orebić. Pelješac is known for its tradition of shellfish farming in the Mali Ston Bay, olive growing, viticulture and the generations of naval captains’ families from Orebić. At the same time, Orebić is also the closest link to the island of Korčula by a ferry line, and the nearby small town of Viganj is popular with fans of windsurfing, kite surfing and camping. The daily section starts in Trpanj, taking a road next to the parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in the direction of the Velika Prapratna Bay, and leads along the Trpanj olive groves and dry stone walls on a winding road through mountain passes to the fertile inland of the peninsula with the settlements of Oskorušno and Kuna Pelješka. The picturesque Kuna is known for its viticulture and wine production, as well as its Church of Our Lady of Loretto (built in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loretto, locally called Crkva Gospe Delorite), and for its Franciscan monastery with the gallery treasuring old paintings and artwork by Mato Celestin Medović and fra Ambroz Testen. In the nearby wine growing and winemaking place of Potomje, the route leads through the attractive 400-meter long Dingač Tunnel, after which there is an impressive view of the island of Mljet and the remote islands of Lastovo and Sušac. A pleasant ride continues among the impressive terraces of Pelješac vineyards, located on the steep south-western slopes in the area of Dingač. The ride along the winding road with unforgettably unique views continues towards the picturesque fishing and wine growing small town of Trstenik, past vineyards and olive groves to a sandy bay in Žuljana. From here, it takes the local road 6226, climbing to the intersection with D414 road in Dubrava and continues through Putnikovići and Ponikve, all the way to the medieval city of Ston, with its impressive 5.5-kilometre long defensive walls and the oldest salt pans in Europe. Stay overnight in Ston, discover its beauty and taste the famous Mali Ston oysters.
|
|
km |
Description |
|
Length of the section |
|
56 km |
|
Proportion of asphalt/macadam |
|
100% / 0% |
|
Total climb |
|
630 m |
|
Higher climbs |
2 |
5 km 6% 330 m |
|
Traffic density – moderate |
14 38 |
D414 Pijavično – Potomje – 2 km D414 Putnikovići - Ston - 17 km |
|
Caution at intersection required |
7 |
Downhill before descending to Oskorušno |
|
|
36 |
Exit onto D414 in Dubrava |
|
Caution required |
16 |
Dingač Tunnel (400 m) |
|
Supply options |
|
Well supplied small towns mostly every 10-15 km, with shops, restaurants, wineries/wine tasting rooms and cafes |
|
Rest options
Ferry line Ploče-Trpanj |
|
Frequent beaches, parks with benches in the centre of tourist resorts or in vantage points |
|
EV8 detour |
16 |
From Potomje to Orebić – by taking a ferry Orebić – Dominče (island Korčula), 30-min long sail, 10-15 times a day. |
|
|
53 |
Ferry line Prapratno – Sobra (to Mljet National Park), 45-min sail, 4-5 times a day.
|
|
km |
Technical description of the section |
|
0 |
EV8 leads from the centre of Trpanj along the street Ulica Kralja Tomislava, next to the parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, then to the left in the direction of the Campsite Vrila and the Velika Prapratna Bay. |
|
3 |
At the intersection to the right, there is a slight climb along a winding road overviewing the sea towards the mountain pass with a chapel (to the right along the road) and a winding descent towards Oskorušno. |
|
6 |
Caution is needed at the T intersection; after a steep descent, turn to the left along the road in the direction of Kuna Pelješka. |
|
9 |
There is a view of Kuna Pelješka to the left from the road and continue straight in the direction of Pijavično. Note: You can turn to the right towards the Franciscan Monastery and the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. Next to the church, the ride can be shortened by taking the road through the field directly towards Potomje. |
|
14 |
In Pijavično at the crossroads with D414 (near the restaurant and cafe), turn to the right and continue towards Potomje for 1 km. |
|
15 |
In Potomje, the left turn from D414 should be taken towards the Dingač Tunnel. |
|
16 |
The route leads through the illuminated, one-way, 400-meter long Dingač Tunnel. Caution is needed riding there! |
|
23 |
Continue along a wavy road between the terraced vineyards of Dingač - Borak towards Trstenik. |
|
30 |
From Trstenik to Žuljana, continue along the road and cross the western slopes of the peninsula. |
|
36 38 43 |
Climb on LC6226 towards the intersection with D414 in Dubrava. Driving on D414 through Putnikovići to Ponikve. In Ponikve, the route leads straight onto D414 towards Ston. |
|
53 |
Turning off the section to the Mljet National Park from the Ferry Port of Prapratno. |
|
56 |
Entering Ston and accommodation plans at the end of the daily section. |
