Vrbovica - Veliki Gradac (northern path)

Access to starting point:
We drive to Ploče, from where we continue towards Dubrovnik. We drive across the Pelješac Bridge and further on the expressway to the Prapratno exit, where we continue left towards the island of Mljet. In the ferry port we buy tickets and take the ferry to Sobra. There we continue right towards Pomena. Just after the town of Polače (near the town of Goveđari) we pay attention to the left turnoff to Jezero. After a short descent we arrive at the parking lot. At the parking lot there is the NP Mljet building, where we must buy a ticket for NP Mljet. In August 2024 the entrance fee was 25 EUR per person.

Path description:
From the starting point we head past the NP Mljet building to the road, where signs direct us right into the forest towards Montokuc. The path gently ascends through the forest and in 5 minutes brings us to a road, where we continue left. There are plenty of signs along the road and an information board. It is possible to reach here even if we go left from the starting point. We continue along the road, which ascends somewhat more steeply to a small clearing, where the path to Montokuc and Veliki Gradac branches off to the right. The path gently ascends through the forest. After about 15 minutes of walking, the path from Polače joins us from the left, and a few minutes later we arrive at a new junction, where we continue right towards Veliki Gradac. Straight ahead to Montokuc. The path ascends in switchbacks through the forest and we arrive again at a junction just below the summit. The southern path joins us from the left. We continue straight ahead and in a few steps we are at the top of Veliki Gradac.
The description and photos refer to the situation in August 2024.