Gložak

Gložak is a small hill on the island of Mljet in southern Dalmatia, located near Polače – the island's largest and safest harbour. It is not among Mljet's highest points (that title belongs to Veliki grad), but the surrounding area makes a good starting point for travelers who want to explore the island's interior beyond its beaches and marinas, close to Mljet National Park.

Where exactly is Gložak?

The hill sits in the central part of Mljet, a short distance from the boundaries of Mljet National Park – Croatia's oldest marine national park – and close to Blatsko Polje, a large wetland field in the middle of the island. On a clear day, the hill offers views typical of Mljet's landscape: dense pine forests, rocky rises, and patches of farmland cutting into the green slopes.

How do you get to Gložak?

The easiest way to reach Polače is by ferry, with regular connections from Dubrovnik and from Prapratno on the Pelješac peninsula. From the harbour at Polače, marked hiking and cycling trails lead into the island's interior, including routes used by visitors heading to the Malo and Veliko Jezero lakes inside the National Park. The area around Gložak is best explored on foot or by mountain bike, since the terrain is rocky and uneven – sturdy shoes and plenty of water are recommended, especially in summer.

What is there to see nearby?

Mljet is considered Croatia's most forested island, with woodland covering most of its surface and the National Park taking up roughly a third of its territory. Near Gložak, it's worth visiting Blatsko Polje, where a seasonal lake forms in winter and turns into a muddy, marshy hollow known as blatina in summer – the source of the name of the nearby village of Blato. Blato itself has a stone church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul dating from the 14th century, around which locals hold an annual feast-day celebration on June 29th. Polače, meanwhile, is a picturesque bay sheltered from the open sea by four small islets – Tajnik, Moračnik, Ovrata and Kobrava – making it one of the safest sailing anchorages on the whole Adriatic coast.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the best times to explore the island's interior, including the Gložak area, since temperatures are milder than in peak summer and the trails are quieter. Summer heat can be intense on the exposed, rocky slopes, so it's best to plan hikes for the morning or late afternoon hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked trail leading to Gložak? The hill lies within a network of hiking and cycling paths connecting Polače to the island's interior and to Mljet National Park, but the summit itself isn't a major tourist destination – it's more of a landscape feature passed along the way to other sights.

How far is Gložak from Mljet National Park? The surrounding area lies right next to the park's boundary, roughly 1.3 km away, which makes it a convenient starting point for further hikes.

Is there accommodation nearby? The closest base for staying overnight is Polače, which offers rooms, apartments, and mooring spots for yachts – a convenient place from which to plan a trip into the island's interior.

What else can be combined with a visit to Gložak? A good option is to pair a walk in this area with a visit to Blatsko Polje and the village of Blato with its historic church, and, time permitting, a trip to the lakes inside Mljet National Park.