HPD (Croatian Mountaineering* Society)Mareta was established on 27 January 2010 with the support of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, Vela Luka Municipality and Vela Luka Tourist Board. The society has now more than 60 members.
The main activity of the society is organizing excursions and lectures aimed at bringing nature closer to people and encouraging outings in nature. Since its establishing, the society organized one-day excursions on the island of Korčula and Pelješac peninsula. Those were primarily excursions to (Hum near Vela Luka), Kom (508m) and Sveti Ilija (961 m) on Pelješac.
Several-day excursions were organized on the islands of Hvar, Mljet, Lastovo, Vis and Brač. Particularly interesting were several longer trips to Lastovo (2014), Vis (2015) and Šćedro – Pelješac (2016).
The following several-day trips were organized to the mainland, close to our island: Snježnica, Omiš Dinara, Mosor, Kozjak, Promina, Velebit, Paklenica, and to more distant areas like SamoborGorje, Medvednica, Tara Planina, Prokoško Lake, Durmitor, Orijen, Čvrsnica, Stol and Begunjščica
The society`s other important activity is education, therefore, courses for members and children are regularly held.
So far, a large number of members have completed marking courses, general mountaineering school and hiking guide courses. In order to educate new nature lovers, we organize children’s hiking school with practical work in nature.
We are also organizing regular clearing of old,overgrownpathsas well as clearing of those already cleared, with the aim of preserving nature and bringing the beauty of our island closer to tourists and local people. So far, about 20 km of paths and roads have been cleared, which was organized by our society. We mark routes of interest to visitors, and have so far marked about 25 km of roads around Vela Luka. The most significant marked paths are:
- A round trip to the old village of Dub,
- The path to the hill Hum
- An old path from Triporteover Potirna to Vela Luka
All nature lovers, including mountaineers, advocate for environmental protection, therefore, we try to reduce the negative impact of society and tourism on nature.
We also provideassistance whenever running or cycling competitions are held, and are competing as well.
As part of the International Week of Physical Activity Promotion ‘Move Week 2017’, ahike to Hum, called “Meet Health”, was organisedfor all residents of Vela Luka for the first time. Over 120 participants hiked to the fort at the top of the hill Hum and enjoyed socializing and had a delicious meal.
We have a good cooperation with HGSS (Croatian Mountain Rescue Service) and neighbouringMountaineering*Societies Spivnik-Blato and Sv. Ilija-Orebic as well as with the County Mountaineering* Association.
The name Mareta(a local expression for a swell – a slow, regular movement of the sea in rolling waves that do not break) shows our connection and love of the sea. Mareta is known for its energy and perseverance.
The goal of our society is to develop love for nature and preserve nature on land and at sea. We organize excursions for members, but also for a wider community, we organize clearing, marking and maintaining the trails, training, assistin organizing sport competitions and other nature related activities.
Visit us in our premises where we can give you tips on visiting the mountains in the area, advise about our activities, offer basic mountaineering literature and if you want enrollyou in our society. As members of the Croatian Association of Mountaineers you will have numerous benefits and high-quality insurance in case of mountain rescue.
*The expression mountaineering includes hiking and rambling.
Address: Street 26, number 2
20270 Vela Luka
Location:
420 57’ 45’’N
160 43’ 3’’E
Working Hours: Wednesday 19:30 to 21:00
Phone: (Dragica or Zivana)
E-mail: hpd.mareta.velaluka@gmail.com
Website: hpd-mareta.hr
Other information: IBAN HR5423400091110424120
OIB 15130934888
Guide: Frano Vlasic
tel. 0915925922
email: frano.vlasic@gmail.com