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Mount Srd Hike in Dubrovnik (Fort Imperial Viewpoint)
A quick but useful hiking guide for the hike to Mount Srd in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Walk up the mountain from Dubrovnik to the historically significant Fort Imperial and be rewarded with the best viewpoint in the city! Best known for its stunning old town, picturesque beaches and iconic Dalmatian coastal views, Dubrovnik isn't exactly a hiking hub. However, when visiting Dubrovnik there is a short but worthwhile route that is worth checking out. This is the Mount Srd hike that offers incredible views over Dubrovnik, especially at sunset! In this short hiking guide I explain how you...
Mount Srd Hike in Dubrovnik (Fort Imperial Viewpoint)
A quick but useful hiking guide for the hike to Mount Srd in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Walk up the mountain from Dubrovnik to the historically significant Fort Imperial and be rewarded with the best viewpoint in the city!
Best known for its stunning old town, picturesque beaches and iconic Dalmatian coastal views, Dubrovnik isn't exactly a hiking hub.
However, when visiting Dubrovnik there is a short but worthwhile route that is worth checking out. This is the Mount Srd hike that offers incredible views over Dubrovnik, especially at sunset!
In this short hiking guide I explain how to get from Dubrovnik Old Town to the trailhead and what to expect on the hike. I’ll also show you the best viewpoints on Mount Srd (with photos) at the end of this post.
About the hike to Mount SRD (Mount Srđ) in Dubrovnik
Mount Srd (Srđ – pronounced “serdge” and also spelled “Mount Serdj”) is the unmissable mountain peak directly behind the city of Dubrovnik. You'll notice this steep, dominant ridge almost everywhere in the city.
Mount Srd is part of the Dinaric Alps and although it is not very high (around 412 meters), it is quite steep as its summit is less than 700 meters (as the crow flies) from the Adriatic Sea.
A main path leads to the summit, which is easily accessible on foot from the old city walls. Alternatively, travelers can take the easy option by opting for the cable car or a taxi as there is also a road leading up behind the mountain.
How to get from the Old Town (Stari Grad) to the Mount Srd Trailhead
Although there are easier ways to reach the summit of Mount Srd, I recommend the hike. Chances are you're looking for a way to burn off all those cocktails and gelatos, and the views along the way aren't bad either!
To get to the Mount Srd trailhead, you must first navigate to the map pin below. If you walk from the Old Town like I did, you can expect a walk of about 1.1 kilometers (about 15-20 minutes) from Pile Gate.
This follows steep cobbled streets which can get a bit confusing. So in order not to get lost, I suggest adding the following coordinates to your navigation app.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber to the starting point.
Dubrovnik hiking guide: Mount Srd
While the mountain above Dubrovnik looks steep, the path leading to its summit is carved into a series of switchbacks. This means that the gradient of only 255 meters over 2.1 kilometers is very manageable for most people.
In addition, the route is very wide, well maintained and easy to navigate. For these reasons, I would say that climbing Dubrovnik Mountain Srd should be fairly easy for most people with a general fitness level.
Below I go into a little more detail about the hike so you know what to expect.
Wooded section
Starting at the forest trailhead off the busy main road (Jadranksa Cesta), the trail almost immediately begins climbing into the forest and up Srd Hill.
Although the route is rocky, you will find that it is very wide and easy to follow. So using a map or hiking app is not necessary to complete this Dubrovnik walking tour.
After less than 10 minutes of walking, the path breaks out of the tree line. From here, hikers are rewarded with increasingly better views of Dubrovnik and the old town as the altitude increases.
Hike to the Stations of the Cross in Dubrovnik
This trail features a series of switchbacks that gently ascend the mountain. At every bend you will see a copper relief dedicated to Jesus. Many locals call his hike the “Way of the Cross” because it symbolizes Jesus’ journey from the trial to the grave.
I counted a total of 15 curves leading up Srd Mountain, but there are five Stations of the Cross.
Fort Imperial & Srkva sv. Srd de Vergata
After about 40 minutes to an hour of walking, you will be back in the forest at the top of Srd Hill. Here you will find Fort Imperial and a small church called Skrva Sv. Srd de Vergata. Also hardest to miss is the undeniably ugly communications tower.
At Fort Imperial, visitors can browse the Croatian War of Independence (Homeland War) Museum. Here you can talk about the recent history of this city and how Fort Imperial on Mount Srd became a symbol of strength and defense for its residents.
There is also a large parking lot behind the fort.
Summit of Mount Srd – What to Expect
There is a lot to explore at the top of this mountain, which is why I consider hiking Mount Srd one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik!
The cable car
Of course, the cable car is one of the most famous features of this hill. While it offers a very picturesque way to experience the beauty of the city and the Dalmatian coast, many of the more conservative locals I spoke to consider it a bit of an eyesore.
For me, I would much rather hike to earn the view. However, if you want to take the cable car, there is always the option of taking it back down.
Zipline in the mountains of Dubrovnik
If you're up for an adventure, you'll find the Panorama Zipline here! This is a fairly long slope that goes over the steep slopes of Mount Srd, just behind the cable car building.
Panorama restaurant
Between the zipline and the cable car building there is a lovely restaurant with an apt name. Panorama features an outdoor seating area with beautiful views of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Sea and Lokrum Island.
The best viewpoints of Dubrovnik from Mount Srd
If you're like me, then you came to hike Dubrovnik's Mount Srd for the spectacular views! It's no secret, but this mountain certainly offers the best views you'll find in the region!
However, there are a few spots that make for a better photo (and fewer crowds).
The stone cross lookout point
The high stone cross borders directly on the panoramic restaurant and in front of it, visitors will find a perfect vantage point over Dubrovnik. There is a steel railing here, but the cliff is not steep at all. So,
Haylea decided to hop over and take an iconic photo of Dubrovnik, as seen below.
Keep in mind that this place can get a little crowded, especially during sunset.
Top of the cable car building
Even if you don't take the cable car, you can walk up the stairs in the building to get the highest possible view of Mount Srd. This provides a great view, but the tall concrete pillars supporting the cables can get in the way of a good shot.
alt=“Dubrovnik old town from above”>View of the Cathedral of the Assumption
The secret viewpoint
Okay, it's not that secret, but it's surprising how many people skip it in favor of the crowded places mentioned above. If you turn left instead of right towards the cable car and restaurant on the way up the hill, you will see a path that continues along the ridge of Mount Srd.
Follow this path and you'll reach a large, cleared area that offers plenty of room for great photos without the horde of cable cars. In addition, from here you probably have the best view of the sunset behind the Elafiti Islands.
Overnight stay in Dubrovnik, Croatia
With only around 42,000 inhabitants, Dubrovnik is not a large city. However, it attracts over 1.5 million tourists every year. As a result, you can expect many great resorts, hotels and hostels to suit every budget.
The best area to stay is in or near the Old Town (Stari Grad or Walled City). This is where you will find most of the attractions and highlights. However, staying just outside of town or in one of the beautiful cliffside resorts and hotels is also a great option.
Below you will find my top rated accommodations in the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
- Bota Palace – Im Zentrum der Altstadt und 3 Gehminuten vom Buza Beach entfernt. Dieses Bed and Breakfast bietet wunderschön eingerichtete Zimmer, WLAN, eine Küche, einen Kühlschrank, einen Backofen und ein À-la-carte-Frühstück. Eine großartige Wahl für Paare, die die Stadt innerhalb der Mauern erkunden möchten.
- Hostel Angelina Old Town – Innerhalb der Mauern der Altstadt gelegen, ist es die perfekte Wahl für Rucksacktouristen, die Dubrovnik erkunden möchten. 600 m vom Strand entfernt und in der Nähe der historischen Stätten.
- Rixos Premium Dubrovnik – Eine luxuriöse Wahl für diejenigen, die sich in ultimativem Stil entspannen möchten. Modern gestaltete Zimmer mit Meerblick und nur 2 Gehminuten vom Strand entfernt. Es bietet ein 2-stöckiges Spa mit einem Türkischen Bad und einem Innenpool.
More Croatia travel guides & adventure inspiration
I hope you enjoyed this short but useful hiking guide to Mount Srd in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
If so, be sure to check out some of my other articles below!
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