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Activity: HIKE
Difficulty: Moderate & Challenging
Duration:
7 Days
Accommodation:
mountain hut,
camp in nature"
Meals:
Available on request
Price:

on request

Start planning your trip
  • 6 Nights
  • Max 21 km hike per day
  • Moderate & Challenging
  • 6 days hiking
  • May to October

Overview

Shar Planina (Sharr mountains) is the southernmost part of “Via Dinarica’ - the mega hiking trail of 2000km connecting the countries of the Western Balkans. It is situated in the northwestern part of North Macedonia, sharing its 80 km long main ridge-line with Kosovo. Sharr is one of the largest mountain massifs taking an area of 840 km2. Almost 5/6 of its territory has a height of 1000 meters above sea level, and 20% are peaks and ridges above 2000m asl. Geomorphologically, the mountain as it appears today has been shaped 20 million years ago. It is characterized by glaciers forming the current mesh-like relief hence creating many cirques and glacial valleys. The water treasure of the mountain consists of many water springs, steep mountain creeks and two dozen of glacial lakes. Most creeks originate in cirques where a pure mountain water gushes into the subsequent glacial valley at temperatures of 1-5 °C. These springs are located at elevations of 1.900 meters up to 2.400 meters asl. 

On this tour we will explore two geographical regions of Sharr Mountain and their most notable peaks: in the Northeastern part - peak Ljuboten (2.499m) and in the Central part peaks: Titov Vrv 2.748m, Bakardan 2.700m and Plat (2.398m). You will be hiking from one mountain hut to another, with only one transport connecting these two parts of the range, and you will be camping two nights in the most beautiful region of Sharr Mountains – Leshnica valley, a pure alpine-like glacial valley of Leshnica creek and Pena river with  steep, almost vertical 1.000 meters high mountain sides. The trails range from moderate to challenging, and good physical condition is needed if you wish to fully enjoy this wonderful hiking holiday.

Highlights

  • Peak Ljuboten – Macedonians call it ‘the Macedonian Matterhorn’ for its pyramidal shape. 
  • Livadicko glacial lake – one of the most beautiful and deepest glacial lakes in Sharr Mountain range
  • Popova Shapka ski center 
  • Titov Vrv – named after Marshall Tito – the highest peak in Sharr Mountain range. Walking up is on the scenic extreme route, while the descend is on the easier traverse across pastures and green meadows
  • Peak Plat, looming over Leshnica valley…
  • The waterfall of Gorna (upper) Leshnica
  • Leshnica Valley – the green beauty enclosed by massive natural formations: tall coniferous trees, overhanging rock faces, limestone cathedrals and almost vertical couloirs.

Difficulty Grading

This tour is a combination of moderate and challenging hikes:

MODERATE up to 23km / 14mi
4-7 hours
Longer, but still manageable hikes with more elevation change. For hikers with good level of fitness (regular exercise) who don’t mind the challenge
CHALLENGING up to 30km / 19mi
5-9 hours
Long hikes with possible long and steep ascents and descents. Trails may be rough and rugged. Experienced hikers who love a good challenge. Should be ready to walk all day with more elevation gain

Map

tours/map VIA DINARICA SHARR MOUNTAINS

ITINERARY

DAY 1: SKOPJE – MOUNTAIN HUT LJUBOTEN (1.630m)

Mountain hut Ljuboten dates from 1931 and it’s the oldest active hut in North Macedonia. It is located immediately above the tree-line at an altitude of 1.630 m. and it will take you about 2 – 2,5 hours to reach it from the village Staro Selo. At the beginning of your hike, after the village church there is a tapped spring where you can get your water. As soon as you leave the village at 900m asl a chestnut forest – a rare sight in Shara mountain – begins. Following the main jeep road – here and there – the markings will lead you to several single-track shortcuts – you will be accompanied by a chorus of bird singing. Occasionally, the cold breeze from Ljuboten peak will remind you of the glimpses of this summit through the beech-wood crowns all the way to the mountain hut. Overnight in villa Ljuboten, below the mountain hut.
Hike: 6,3 km / 982m D+

DAY 2: PEAK LJUBOTEN

Ljuboten peak is a significant summit on Sharr Mountain range with a pyramidal shape dominating the far background when seen from Skopje valley. Hence, it is not a coincidence that it is one of the symbols of the city represented on its coat of arms. The hike is 4km long one way (7,8h return) with 870 meters of climbing and it usually takes 4-5 hours of hiking. As you start hiking from the mountain hut the trail takes you immediately into the sub-alpine zone of Sharr Mountain, consisting of rock scree, pastures and occasional alpine bushes. The route follows the northeastern arm of the summit, and as it gets near the top it offers a real experience of hiking a typical alpine ridge. The sights during the hike are amazing: mount Skopska Crna Gora and Vodno in the east, south-east is the Jakupica central massif with Solunska Glava peak, below the Polog valley. Southern views open the whole Shara ridgeline with dozen of peaks looming above 2500m asl. West are the Kosovo and Albanian mountains and up north – as a contrast to everything described before is Kosovo plain. The descent from the peak is on the same trail back to the mountain hut. Overnight in the same villa.
Hike: 7,8 km / 888m D+, 888m D-

DAY 3: LJUBOTEN HUT TO VILLAGE BELOVISHTE

Today you will be hiking on the route that traverses the eastern side of Ljuboten peak, passing by Kozja Stena (goat’s rock) – a notable rocky landmark amidst the steep slope seen even from Skopje. You will be walking on a rocky path among many small and large boulders - minding your step is crucial here even though your sight is always being “stolen” by Ljuboten peak above you, Shara ridgeline to your left and Polog valley below you. Once you get on the ridgeline, you will see Livadicko Lake, one of the most beautiful and deepest glacial lakes in Shara Mountain range, situated in a rocky cirque at 2137 meters. If you continue along the ridge you will reach Livadica Peak. Our trail leads you down across the green pastures and beech-wood and chestnuts mixed forest (a rarity in Shara). Once you hear the roaring sound of several creeks and rivers you are close to Belovishte - the finishing point of this wonderful hike. At the local restaurant you can award yourself with a trout for lunch and well-deserved swim at the swimming pool in the shadows of chestnut trees. Late afternoon transfer to Popova Shapka ski center. Overnight in mountain lodge in Popova Shapka.
Hike: 15,7km / 945m D+, 1.708m D-

DAY 4: TITOV VRV

One of the most challenging, and probably the most beautiful route in Sharr Mountains is from Ski Center Popova Shapka to Titov Vrv via the ridgeline route. It is a very demanding but very rewarding hike of 21km with 1.800 D+ that usually takes around 8 hours. Nonetheless, all the way to Titov Vrv the ridgeline route offers 360 degree panorama of all Shar Planina Mountian massif. Walking to the second highest peak in North Macedonia with 2.747m height – you will climb over “smaller” summits Sin Vrv (2550 m), Karabunar (2600 m) and Bakardan peak (2702 m). On its very top there stands a 3-storie brick tower serving as a metaphorical lighthouse for the exhausted but thriller mountain devotees. The return to Popova Shapka is on the easier, ‘Vakaf’ trail - as you traverse Bakardan peak at its base around 2200 meters - the pure alpine and unspoiled wilderness of Upper Leshnica region opens up down in a network of glacial valleys. The first half of the return trail travels across waste pastures and alpine meadows, and the second one along the ski pists and a jeep road. Overnight in the same mountain lodge in Popova Shapka.
Hike: 21km / 1.800m D+, 1.264m D-

DAY 5: PEAK PLAT & LESHNICA WATERFALL

Leave Popova Shapka ski center in the morning and head to the most beautiful part of Sharr Mountains – Leshnica Valley. In the beginning, the trail climbs gradually to circumnavigate Ceripashina mountain where the single-track turns into a jeep road until the first sheepfold, where we join the hiking path again, to a high plateau on 2.050m. The last 350 vertical meters to reach Plat are worth the effort – it opens an awestruck view of the glacial valleys of Leshnica creek and Pena river, and on their opposite side the vertical couloirs of Sreden Kamen (2.465 m). From here we descend to Upper Leshnica area at 1700m asl - the last ice age has left miraculous scars in this terrain and as soon as you get to the upper base of the valley, a waterfall can be heard in the near distance – Leshnicki waterfall. Further down, the narrow valley broadens as Plat and Sreden Kamen eastern sides open up to a larger and flatter valley of river Pena – this area is known as Dolna (Lower) Lehsnica. It’s at altitude of 1.450 meters. Next two nights we will stay in tents in this beautiful valley.
Hike: 13,4km / 858m D+, 752m D-

DAY 6: LESHNICA VALLEY

A well-deserved relaxing day for camping in the pure alpine-like glacial valley of Dolna Leshnica, nested in the central part of Sharr Mountain. Having a break here comes naturally as this flat area puts you like on a small pedestal from where you are enclosed by massive natural formations such as is tall coniferous trees, overhanging rock faces, limestone cathedrals and almost vertical couloirs. There are couple of springs with the purest drinking water in the valley, and a river, where if you are skilled enough, you can catch a nice trout for dinner… Another overnight under the stars in this beautiful place.
Hike: no hikes

DAY 7: LAST DAY: BACK TO POPOVA SHAPKA

Walking back to Popova Shapka can be on the same trail that you followed to Leshnica Valley, with a bigger ascent as now you will be walking in the opposite direction. The other way is along the jeep road, enveloped by coniferous trees (a atypical site in the massif) until the sheepfold. As you pass by the sheepfold mind the dogs – call out the shepherd – chances are you will meet several autochthone mountain shepherd dog called Sharplaninec – whose job is to tend the sheep from wolves and bears – and this area is full with wildlife. This route is 14,5km long, with a total ascent of 873m, and it will take you around 4-5 hours to reach Popova Shapka ski center. A car transfer will be waiting for you there to take you to the bus station in Tetovo.
Hike: 14,5 km / 873m D+

When To Go

Possible 01 June – 15 June / 01 October – 15 October
Recommended 15 June – 30 September
Not available All other dates

Price

on request

INCLUDED IN PRICE: 

  • Accommodation: 2 nights in villa (shared facilities), 2 nights in mountain lodge (private rooms), 2 nighta in tents 
  • Transfers: 
    - Village Belovishte to Popova Shapka ski center
    - Popova Shapka ski center to Tetovo bus station
  • Baggage transfers
  • Meals: breakfast included
  • Detailed hiking visual route descriptions and maps
  • Mobile app with uploaded tracks with visual descriptions and locator
  • Local safety information and contacts
  • Stand-by support (cell phone and contact person)
  • Organization and logistic by Macedonia Travel

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:

  • Airplane tickets to/from Skopje
  • Personal medical and travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Any extra expenses not mentioned under „included in price“
     
    OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS:
  • Vegetarian and vegan meals available on request
  • Private transfers available on request
  • Global Positioning System (GPS) console: 45 €

Why Travel With Us?

LOCAL EXPERTS

Since 2004 we create authentic, high quality tours in the Balkans. North Macedonia is our homeland, we have walked and biked every corner of the country and we make sure that the balance between the activities, the "must see" attractions and the "off-the-beaten-track" experiences gives you the true Balkan - intense, hearth warming and often life changing experience.

SAFETY

* Strict company risk management on each tour that we operate available
* 24/7 for anything from enquiries to emergencies
* Macedonia Travel has liability insurance by Winner - Vienna Group
* "A" licensed by the Ministery of Economy of North Macedonia UP 113-101
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FLEXIBLE BOOKINGS

 * Change your travel plans up to 30 days before departure, with no fees.
 *After you pay the deposit, the rest of the amount can be paid any time until 30 days before departure

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