20 Dubrovnik - Vitaljina
From Dubrovnik along charming Dubrovnik Riviera to the picturesque Konavle Field
Dubrovnik – Zvekovica (18 km) – Gruda (33 km) – Vitaljina (46 km) – GP Crna Gora (50 km) |
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distance 50.00 km |
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start Dubrovnik |
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end Vitaljina |
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total climb 640.00 m |
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The route from Dubrovnik leads to the far southeast of Croatia along the Riviera of the municipality called Župa dubrovačka, south from the city of Dubrovnik to the Duboka Ljuta Bay, through the attractive tourist resorts Kupari, Srebreno, Mlini, Soline and Plat. The most beautiful decoration of this corner in the far south of Croatia is the variety of Mediterranean and subtropical vegetation, the remains of Dubrovnik villas and summer residences with lush gardens, lots of pebble beaches, beautifully landscaped parks and a grandiose tree in the centre of the village of Mlini – a century-old plane tree watered by the source Vrelo. In Zvekovica at the crossroads, the route continues along peaceful, rural Konavle. Before continuing there, it is definitely worth sightseeing the small town of Cavtat, the ancient Epidaurum, with a planned urban centre, the hometown of the great Croatian painter Vlaho Bukovac. From Zvekovica, the route leads on a quiet road through the spacious Konavle Field through Mihanići, Pridvorje, Lovorno, Ljuta and Gruda. Immediately at the beginning, there is the route of the former narrow-gauge railway called Ćiro, which is nowadays the developed cycle path leading to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Konavle Field is a picturesque combination of vineyards, fields, olive groves, fig groves and churches surrounded by elegant, slender cypress trees at the foot of the highest mountain of South Dalmatia – Snježnica (1234 meters). The characteristic traditional features of Konavle are stone architecture, the watermills on the Ljuta River and distinctive traditional embroidery decorating the folk costumes. At the archaeological site of Dubravka, around the Church of St. Barbara, the impressive necropolis of stećci can be found, which are medieval tombstones inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Also, one of the most striking symbols of Konavle is Sokol Grad, a strategically important medieval fortress in the village of Dunave. The route continues from the place Gruda past Tušići, then crosses the intersection with D8 and continues onto D516 straight through Pločice, Đurinići and Vitaljina, and soon afterwards it reaches the border crossing of Vitaljina – Kobila with Montenegro, where the Croatian section of the EuroVelo 8 route ends.
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km |
Description |
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Length of the section |
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50 km |
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Proportion of asphalt/macadam |
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97/3% |
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Total climb |
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640 m |
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Macadam lining – moderately rideable |
34 |
After Gruda – 1.7 km |
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Traffic density – moderate |
0 18 |
Exit from Dubrovnik– 2.5 km Passing through Zvekovica – 300 m |
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Traffic density – high |
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Traffic density – very high |
4 9 |
From exit onto D8 to the junction in Dubac On D8, section Srebreno – Zvekovica – 8 km |
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Caution at intersection required |
4 5 9 18 36 |
Exit onto D8 after the Park Orsula Left turn from D8 in Dubac Left turn onto D8 in Srebreno Left turn from D8 in Zvekovica Crossing D8 after Gruda |
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Obstacles |
4 |
Guard rail on D8 road |
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Supply options |
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Dubrovnik, Dubac, Cavtat, Zvekovica, Gruda |
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Water source |
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Large Onofrio’s Fountain in Dubrovnik |
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Accommodation options |
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Authentic private accommodation in Konavle |
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Detours |
18 |
Cavtat |
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21 |
Part of the old Ćiro narrow-gauge railway route |
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Alternatives / Possible bypass of the part of D8 (Dubrovnik-Cavtat) |
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Taxi boat Dubrovnik-Cavtat (transport of people, bikes and luggage upon request) |
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km |
Technical description of the section |
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0 |
EV8 from the centre of Dubrovnik leads along Zagrebačka Street (below the Minčeta Tower past the City Walls of the Old Town of Dubrovnik) and continues to the left along the street Ulica Kralja Petra Krešimira IV. |
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2 |
Then the route passes through the street Ulica Frana Supila above the Belvedere Hotel and along the Park Orsula and connects to D8 (guard rail on the road). |
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4 |
At the junction with the Adriatic Highway (D8), it crosses the guard rail on the road after the Park Orsula and continues to the right on D8 for 1 km. Caution required! |
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5 |
In Dubac, the left turn from D8 into the street Ulica Marina Beusana. and to the right into the street Put Petra Kojakovića through Čibača, then to the left again into the street Put dr. Ante Starčevića and to the right along the local road (LC69050), and to the right to the junction with D8. |
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9 |
Junction with D8 and continuing to the left along the busier D8 in the direction of Zvekovica and Cavtat above the tourist resorts Srebreno, Mlini, Soline and Plat. Caution required! |
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18 |
In Zvekovica, the route turns to the left from D8, continuing slightly uphill onto a local road (LC6266) for Konavle. At the intersection, you can turn off the route to the right, descending towards the centre of Cavtat, where taxi-boats from the Old Port of Dubrovnik sail. |
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19 |
Info board at the old Ćiro narrow-gauge railway route. |
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26 |
Passing through the Konavle place of Mihanići. |
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28 |
Franciscan Monastery of St. Blaise (Croatian sv. Vlaha) with the church from the 15th century along the road in Pridvorje. |
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31 |
Turning off the route to the left towards the watermills/fulling mills on the River Ljuta in the village of Ljuta. Then the route continues on the main road to the right towards Gruda. |
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34 |
Gruda, intersection – right turn onto the local road towards Tušići. Possible supply and rest options. |
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35 |
Tušići, a 1.7-km macadam section starts through the field. |
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37 |
Caution! After the ride on a quieter road, exit onto the intersection of D8 and D516. |
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42 |
Đurinići, possible detour towards the Molunat Peninsula. |
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45 |
The village of Vitaljina. |
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50 |
The border crossing of Vitaljina (CRO)-Kobila (MNE). |
