Ronald Brown Path to Stražišće above Cavtat

The Ronald Brown Path is a marked ridge route in Konavle, south of Dubrovnik in Croatia, that climbs from Gornji Obod above the resort town of Cavtat to the summit cross at Stražišće. Access is by Libertas bus 10 from Dubrovnik to Cavtat (30-40 minutes, EUR 4, ~$4.60), followed by a walk or taxi uphill to Gornji Obod. A transfer to Velji Do shortens the climb. No permit is required, and parking in the upland villages is informal and limited.

The route covers about 10 km out and back and takes 4-5 hours. The ascent is sustained, although the exact elevation gain is not published, and the overall grade is hard for casual walkers because of the length, the climb and the heat. The path follows well-marked ridge terrain over a stony surface that turns slippery when wet, with open ground and little shade for most of the way. Sections pass dry stone walls, scrub and low Mediterranean vegetation, and the summit cross gives wide views across the Cavtat peninsula, the Konavle valley and the Adriatic.

The route passes through Velji Do, which is a practical landmark and an optional starting point. No reliable water source or refuge hut exists along the route, so at least 2 litres of water per person should be carried, along with sun protection and an offline map or GPX file, since mobile coverage can be patchy on the ridge. The climb is best done on a clear day because there is little cover if storms arrive. A sensible turn-around point is the last viewpoint before the final ascent if time or heat is a problem. Since the route is out and back, the descent follows the same line, and the final bus back to Dubrovnik from Cavtat should be checked before departure.