Pelješac – Tour „Sveti Ilija“

The mountain calls! A visually stunning tour to the island summit of "Sveti Ilija" (961 meters) on the Pelešac peninsula with a starting point in Orebić.
The starting point in the early morning is the cafe „Croccantino“ not far from the ferry pier on the waterfront. First coffee and the tastiest croissant from Orebić, relax, look at the sea and finally check the equipment. Sturdy shoes, sufficient water, weatherproof clothing are required.
Then it starts - a bit along the main street in the village ("Ulica Kralja Petra Krešimira") in a westerly direction to a small junction on the right to the Franciscan monastery „Gospe od Anđela“. Parallel to the road, follow the steep stony switchbacks until you are back on the road to the monastery.
Above - distant view of the monastery from the waterfront.
First glimpses into the distance along the southwestern coastline of the peninsula and at the starting point near the harbor open until you finally reach the monastery with the old captain's cemetery.
Ornate tombs of the proud sailors invite you to linger in amazement. Many seafaring captains were once buried here. Already the view sweeps west over the "Pelješki Canal" towards the beauty of Korčula.
Now the usual signs along the road lead you further uphill before turning into the wilderness on the west side of "Sveti Ilija". Further wonderful views of Korčula town and the horizon are offered.
Below is the "zoomed view" of the old town of Korčula opposite, a few kilometers away. Shaped like a coat of arms or a shell, it lies there on a small peninsula and clings to the coast.
The path continues uphill around the west side around the mountain and the vegetation changes from sometimes sparse to woody again. Numerous insects such as bees and many dragonflies greet you on the way up.
Behind the island of Korčula, the island mountains opposite the canal reveal the silhouettes of the island of Lastovo, which is located southwest of Pelješac. Finally, after some time, the marked path runs long over easy and difficult passages through forest. With luck, some interesting encounters are waiting here.
There are wild horses here, a relic from days past, starting with the Second World War, when the animals were left to their fate there.
With a bit of luck and tranquility, other companions can also be identified in the rugged wilderness of the island karst. After some time and plenty of exertion, the forest begins to clear and meager vegetation and great views and distant views determine the landscape.
Once there, a kind of stony plateau with crevasses and sharp pointed edges continues up to the summit of the island mountain, accompanied by further magical views. From a distance you can see the island of Vis exactly to the west and the island of Korčula to the south.
Now the view of the east side of the city of Korčula in the center right and left in the picture Lumbarda - bottom left you can see the small port of Orebić.
On the other side to the northwest are the island of Hvar, behind it Brač and on the right in the picture the mainland of the Dalmatian coast.
On the side facing the mainland you can see the eastern tip of Hvar at the bottom of the picture, on which the Sućuraj lighthouse stands. Behind the mainland between Živogošće and Drvenik
Looking to the southwest, the island of Mljet reveals itself and part of Orebić with a few tiny offshore islands at your feet.
In the top left of the picture, the lighthouse "Korkyra" on the small island "Velika Sestrica" which you can also rent if you have the necessary change. To see again in the picture below.
A majestic view from near the summit of Orebić and the coastline of the peninsula makes up for the hardships of the ascent. At the back of the picture is the Isel Mljet.
Once you have reached the summit, you can enjoy the view and after a while of lingering and a little refreshment, you will return to Orebić, either on the route you have come or a descent on the south side through the forest. The descent route over the southern flank of Sveti Ilija leads to Orebić in the middle of the city.