From an 850-metre walk to a 43-kilometre island trail: in Sobra, two very different scales of hiking meet. There is also the harbour at Zaglavac and connections to other island settlements. If you are considering Sobra as a place to stay, the trails and transport provide a practical framework for planning.
From the Austrian Way to the Mljet Hiking Trail
The Austrian Way starts in Sobra and follows a short, 850-metre section along a former Austro-Hungarian road. The trail combines this historic road with views of a brackish lake and the sea. Aleppo pines and holm oak woodland are part of the Mediterranean vegetation along the trail; views of the local brackish-water habitat also shape the landscape.
The Mljet Hiking Trail offers a different scale: it starts in Sobra, and its 43-kilometre route connects island peaks with viewpoints. For planning your day, the difference in length is useful: a short walk and a much longer hiking trail sit side by side here. The route length alone does not indicate how long the walk will take, but it makes the difference between the two outings clear. You can consider whether to plan a short walk or make a longer hike the focus of your day.
Forest, brackish water and sea
The Austrian Way offers a brief look at the landscape around Sobra: Mediterranean forest with Aleppo pines and holm oaks, as well as views of brackish water and the sea. The combination of coastal views and vegetation is part of what makes this trail distinctive. Those interested in the connection between landscape and history will find both on this clearly defined walk: the route of a former Austro-Hungarian road and the natural surroundings along the trail.
Harbour, arrival and getting around
Zaglavac harbour is about three kilometres from the town centre and is the only ferry terminal on the island of Mljet. Passenger catamarans from Dubrovnik and ferries from Prapratno arrive there daily. Buses serving the island’s settlements also depart from here. Ferry timetables are seasonal and may change, so check the connection for your travel date.
Sobra and Zaglavac harbour have a tourist office, the island’s only petrol station, a shop, restaurants, taxis, and options for renting cars and scooters. As availability can change, confirm locally which services are available during your stay. Along with the ferry and bus connections, this information can help you assess Sobra as a possible place to stay and plan your time on Mljet.
Landscape and cultural heritage on Mljet
The wider setting on Mljet also offers its own natural and cultural features. Veliko jezero and Malo jezero are two deep bays known as lakes. They are connected to the open sea by the Solinski Channel. In the southern part of Veliko jezero lies the island of St Mary, with a Benedictine monastery and the Church of St Mary.
The monastery was built between 1177 and 1198; the central part of the church has retained its Romanesque style. PolaÄŤe is also home to the remains of a Roman palace and an early Christian church dating from the 5th to 6th century. These places add a long architectural and cultural history to the picture of Mljet. They sit alongside the landscapes experienced on the short Austrian Way and the longer Mljet Hiking Trail, although the two hikes differ in scale and purpose.
Discover more destinations: ProĹľura, Govedjari, Mljet, PolaÄŤe, Ropa, Saplunara, Okuklje and Babino Polje.
Back to the main travel guide: Mljet.
