Ploče (entrance) - Ploče (viewpoint) - Veliki Štrbac - Ploče (entrance) (07/2023)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 10.17 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,749 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 2,749 ft
- Max elevation
- 2,522 ft
- TrailRank
- 60
- Min elevation
- 232 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 5 hours one minute
- Time
- 7 hours 16 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2950
- Uploaded
- July 31, 2023
- Recorded
- July 2023
near Golubinje, Central Serbia (Serbia)
Viewed 512 times, downloaded 29 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Technical difficulty: 1.5/5
VERY IMPORTANT!!! This is a well-marked circular trail, but it's not officially recognized by the Đerdap National Park maps because it passes through PRIVATE PROPERTY. The official trail goes to Veliki Štrbac peak and then the same way back again. If you want to do a loop like this, be aware that on 2 different occasions on the descent you will pass households/farmyards protected by DOGS. On the 1st property the dogs were chained. On the 2nd property they were loose and pose a very real risk to passing hikers. I've marked these spots with the "Risk" marker. Read specific waypoint descriptions for more information before following the trail.
Note #1: The trail starts at the side-road parking lot about 600m before the official entrance to the Ploče viewpoint, which contains another parking lot, and an info booth. Entrance fee to the Park is 250 RSD (~2.15 EUR), payable in cash only at the booth. We parked before the official entrance because we wanted to pass this boring stretch of the trail on asphalt at the beginning of the hike rather than the end.
Note #2: Potable water fountain is available only at the starting parking lot.
Note #3: Most of the trail is shaded (~80%) which helps in the summer, but it still gets hot and sweaty. Bring plenty of water.
Note #4: Since you're near the Serbian-Romanian border, you will get mixed mobile reception from both countries. Romania is in the EU, and Serbia is not. Be mindful of which country's network you're currently on so you don't rack up roaming charges. Reception is spotty on the trail - it's good on the peaks, bad or non-existent in the deeper woods. Prepare your maps in advance to be sure.
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This physically moderate and technically easy trail is suitable for all ages, and is pet-friendly. No special equipment is needed as it goes through well-marked forest trails. Most of the hikers go to the Ploče viewpoint only, and you will encounter fewer people, if any, on the rest of the way to Veliki Štrbac - which is also the highest point of the Miroč mountain.
Both Ploče and Veliki Štrbac offer a similar view, a beautiful look of the Danube flowing through the narrow Kazan gorge.
From Veliki Štrbac you can go the same way back, OR, choose to get back on a loop trail with the aforementioned risks of loose dogs.
Waypoints
Car park
414 ft
Car parking (State Road 34)
Regular, free car park on the side of State Road 34. There are many more along the way. This one has a source of potable water, and is located about 600m from the official entrance towards the Ploče viewpoint.
Intersection
292 ft
Intersection #1 / Ploče entrance
One of the official entrances to the Đerdap NP, specifically the Ploče viewpoint. There's an info booth here. Parking is also available for free at this spot, although the entrance to the trail proper is paid 250 RSD per person (~2.15€), cash only.
Bridge
981 ft
Bridge
A bridge over what used to be a stream, but apparently dries up in the summer months.
Panorama
Intersection
1,214 ft
Intersection #2 / go left
Go left here if you want to experience a few more viewpoints along the way to Ploče. If you want to go to Ploče straightaway, continue straight following the signs.
Intersection
1,200 ft
Intersection #3 / go left
Mountain hut
1,193 ft
Mountain hut
A mountain hut, possibly ranger station? At any case, it did not look open to the public.
Intersection
1,215 ft
Intersection #4 / go straight
Continue straight towards Veliki Štrbac.
Summit
2,515 ft
Veliki Štrbac (768 m)
Veliki Štrbac peak, the summit of Miroč mountain. Beautiful view of the narrow Kazan Gorge.
Intersection
2,454 ft
Intersection #6 / go right
Continue straight if you want to go back the same way. Turn right if you want to do the loop trail.
Intersection
1,704 ft
Intersection #8 / go straight
Risk
1,660 ft
Private property w/ dogs (chained)
This is the first private property on the trail. You need to pass just around the immediate front yard of the house. The large dogs (there were at least 3 when we passed here) are chained, and there was a puppy loose. The puppy didn't present a threat because it was playful-scared. The large dogs were scary, even if chained, because you're passing only a few meters outside of their reach.
Risk
1,163 ft
Private property w/ dogs (loose)
The marked trail goes straight through the field, you can see the marking on the electric poles. However, the property owners have loose dogs here which were aggressive and ready to bite. We counted 4 of them: 2 remained close to the house, and two ran towards us and surrounded us. They were growling and barking aggressively, with an intent to separate us and most likely - bite. We had no choice but to back away slowly, back-to-back (so as to avoid exposing our backs). After we were clear of the field and the dogs backed off, we continued towards Intersection #11 and took a right turn. This land and trail also belongs to the same household (evidenced by the makeshift rope-made fence tied across it), but the trail goes AROUND the household and away from the vicinity of the dogs. You SHOULD be safe here. Once you clear the private field, you will see a man-made electrical tower further down the path in front of you. The trail is pretty overgrown here, but if you walk on the edge of the forest (to the right side of the tower) you should soon connect again to the properly marked trail.
Intersection
1,057 ft
Intersection 12 / make a sharp left
Intersection
1,052 ft
Intersection #13 / go straight
Go left if you want to see another viewpoint (vidikovac) called Mali Prilaz. Continue straight if you want to get back to the starting point.
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