High Scardus Trail (9 days) - Walking, Hiking, …...Is this trip for me? 7 hikes up to 8h walking time (Ø 6:45h) and 1,475 m altitude difference. Difficulty 3/4 Challenging For treks

High Scardus Trail (9 days)Discover the Newest Segment of the Via Dinarica

Get off the beaten path and become a pioneer on a this new trek through the remote border region of Albania and Macedonia including the highest peak of both countries. Stay overnight with shepherds and experience authentic Balkan hospitality.

Want to climb more high mountains? See the 7-day Balkan Summit Adventure

8x overnights with hiking up to ▲ 1,475 ▼ 1,475 mRemote Trekking in Albania's Highest Moutain Range

High Scardus Trail (9 days) for

Introduction

…Highlights of the High Scardus Trail☆ Become a pioneer, be among the first to trek this Via Dinarica segment☆ Criss cross the now wide open border between Albania and Macedonia ☆ Get off the beaten path and into the highest range of the country☆ Climb Mt. Korab (2.764m) - the highest peak of two countries☆ Feel warm Balkan hospitality at authentic local homestays

…English-speaking tour leader

9 days (8 nights) including one arrival & departure day

early June to late September (best period)

1 to 8 persons / guaranteed from the first participant

starts in Peshkopi, ends in Kukes - public transport from/to Tirana

7 hikes with up to 8 h walking time (Ø 6:45 h) and 1,475 m ▼▲

for fit hikers, preferably with previous trekking experience (see next page)

basic, clean, foremost welcoming and authentic homestays

luggage transport: one piece up to 15 kg in soft bags only*

© Zbulo! Discover Albania • welcome@zbulorg • www.zbulo.org

Is this trip for me?7 hikes up to 8h walking time (Ø 6:45h) and 1,475 m altitude difference.

Difficulty 3/4 ChallengingFor treks in mountainous and alpine terrain fitness is important and previous trekking experience recommended. It is not vital as long you are confident of your physical condition and sure-footedness. Prepare to endure poor weather and to navigate rocky undefined routes, remoteness can also play a part. Walking days are usually between 5 and 8 hours, although they can be longer to cross passes or peaks (mostly optional). Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1.000m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 1.100m to 1.300m.

Comfort 1/4 BasicThat means: basic, clean, foremost welcoming and authentic homestays- participants share a room with 2-5 other travelers from the group- includes at least one overnight at a basic accommodationBreakdown: 2 night(s) in private ensuite, 6 night(s) in shared room(s)

Overview Time Dist Ø 6:45 h Asc Desc

Asc VS Desc

1. Arrival - Peshkopi 0:00 0 0 02. Bulqize - Hinoske 6:00 6 700 1253. Hinoske - Rabdisht 6:00 12 425 1,0004. Rabdisht - Alp 7:30 12 1,300 5005. Grama - Radomire 5:15 13 350 1,0006. Radomire - Radomire 8:00 17 1,475 1,4757. Radomire - Caje 7:15 18 925 7258. Caje - Kukes 7:00 14 1,000 6009. Kukes - Tirana 0:00 0 0 0

"Take only pictures, leave only footprints"Visitors are expected to respect nature, dispose of their waste properly and be considerate

of local culture and people.


OverviewClick to open an interactive map

Included- English-speaking guide- accommodation: 2x hotel(s), 4x homestay(s), 2x hut(s)- meals: all breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners- transfers as foreseen by the itinerary including airport pick-up- luggage transport: one piece up to 15 kg in soft bags only*- entrance fees, trekking and border crossing permits (on guided tours only)* limited by luggage transport on horse, take a duffel or rucksack, hardcases are not suitable

Excluded- meals not listed above as well as drinks other than table water- personal expenses such as gratuities and souvenirs- flights: all Zbulo tours are ground-service only- overseas health insurance* is compulsory to offer best possible care* 99% of European travel insurances cover this already

Outline1. Arrival - Peshkopi: hotel (-/-/D)2. Bulqize - Popinar - Hinoske: mountain hut (B/LP/D)3. Hinoske - Rabdisht: homestay (B/LP/D)4. Rabdisht - Grama Pass - Grama Alp: shepherd huts (B/LP/D)5. Grama Lake - Radomire: homestay (B/LP/D)6. Radomire - Mt. Korab (2.764m) - Radomire: homestay (B/LP/D)7. Radomire - Caje: homestay (B/LP/D)8. Caje - Shishtavec - Kukes: hotel (B/LP/D)9. Kukes - Tirana: - (B/-/-)

Have questions? Click to visit our knowledge base

or write us at [email protected]

https://trello.com/b/Pwe2cSeu/knowledge-base

mailto:[email protected]

1. Welcome to Albania! Individual travel to Peshkopi (650m)

0 0 0 0Individual travel to Peshkopi | Meeting at the hotel at 8 pm

Welcome to the Balkans! Our group meets in Peshkopi, a small town of the Diber region that borders Kosovo and Macedonia. Public transport is available from both Tirana and Pristina (longer, indirect). You may catch a bus together with your guide or travel individually. Minibuses depart from Tirana's Northern bus station ("Stacioni Autobusave Zona e Veriut") every two hour, the last at 4:30 pm, and travel for 4-5 hours. This allows arrival on almost all flights to get there in the evening. Private transfers are available on request. The group gathers at the hotel for an introduction round and tour briefing at 8 pm (or earlier if everyone is present). Note that luggage is best stored in Tirana as the tour finishes at another point.

Let us know if you need more details on the arrival, it may sound complicated but isn't. :)

- / - / DHotel Varies - / - / D Hotel Varies


2. Into the HighlandsPeshkopi (650m) - Popinar (1.045m) - Hinoske (1.655m)

6 700 125 0.25⟺ 6 km ▲ 700 m ▼ 125 m ⧗ 6:00 h

Excited about what the first trekking day might hold ready for us, we pack our bags and depart after breakfast by minibus from Peshkopi to the small village of Popinar. Once the sky opens, it exposes the mighty mountain range that forms the border with Macedonia. The last bit of road makes for a rough ride, than there’s only the sound of animals and a different world. The initially gravelly trail, a shepherd's route used for their seasonal movement, steadily gains altitude until it reaches a pass at almost 1.800 meters. Along the way we meet locals cutting firewood in the thin forest, pass water reservoirs and huts for livestock. At the highest point, our view gazes across our overnight destination and towards the mountains that await us. We stay in the small pastoral settlement Hinoske, located on high altitude it is inhabited only four months in a year and we can learn more about the locals life with the seasons and the importance of livestock. Overnight in simple bungalows, electricity possibly with generator.

B / LP / DMountain Hut 45 min B / LP / D Mountain Hut 45 min


3. Old Stone VillagesHinoske (1.655m) - Rabdisht (1.065m)

11.5 425 1000 0.25⟺ 11.5 km ▲ 425 m ▼ 1,000 m ⧗ 6:00 h

From the heights of the shepherds’ pastures we descent into the traditional stone villages of the Diber region. The initial climb leads over grassy meadows to the razor ridge of Mt. Deshat, a panoramic viewpoint towards all directions. In the distance we can already make out Grama Pass and Mt. Korab, our challenging goals for the days to come. Crisscrossing the border between Albania and Macedonia, we continue with views of the Mavrovo national park along the ridge. Our descend into the valley basin behind Peshkopi, leads across terraced fields into one of the most picturesque villages of the region - Rabdisht. There’s time for exploring the small cobbled alleys, drinking firewater with the locals and chatting with our friendly host. If you're still eager to hike, a viewpoint above the village is within reach.

B / LP / DHomestay - B / LP / D Homestay -


4. A Night with the ShepherdsRabdisht (1.065m) - Grama Pass (2.300m) - Grama Alp (1.770m)

12 1300 500 0.3125⟺ 12 km ▲ 1,300 m ▼ 500 m ⧗ 7:30 h

This might feel like the most demanding day of this trek. We wish farewell to our welcoming hosts and start climbing to the mountain pastures above Rabdisht. Once we have reached the old border patrol route below the ridge, we traverse the with pleasant views of the villages below and more shepherd huts on our way. Closing in on the Grama Pass (2.300m), its walls appear at first sheer and impenetrable. Only from close-by the zigzag route of switchbacks becomes visible. The top makes for a great picnic and sweeping vantage point - a worthwhile reward for our efforts! Hidden behind lies nested in the rocks an enormous plateau with the Grama Lake up center and sheep grazing in the thousands around it. We descend on a mule trail to the huts of the herdsmen that hosts us tonight. Never tried to milk a sheep? Today is your best chance! Conditions are very simple, there is no electricity, shower and phone signal tonight.

B / LP / DShepherd Huts - B / LP / D Shepherd Huts -


5. Descend to the Base of Mt. KorabGrama Alp (1.770m) - Radomire (1.265m)

13 350 1000 0.21875⟺ 13 km ▲ 350 m ▼ 1,000 m ⧗ 5:15 h

Today we’re looking forward to an easier walk that takes us across the plateau, passed the lake, meadows and across a small ridge. Only a slight ascent separates us from the glacial shaped side valley that is part of the Korab Massif. On an eroded road that served the border control during the time of isolation, we descent gradually to the substantial village of Radomire. Located at the foot of Mt. Korab, it’s the only place of our route that occasionally sees visitors. They’re coming in summer and winter alike to climb the highest peak of both Albania and Macedonia, our goal for tomorrow. In earlier times access to the entire area was restricted, anyone caught in the border zone faced up to 25 years of gulag imprisonment and an attempt to cross the border was to be stopped with live rounds. We learn more about the bitter past and sleep in a simple family-run pension and/or guesthouse in the lower part of the village (two overnights).



6. The Highest Peak of Albania & MacedoniaRadomire (1.265m) - Mt. Korab (2764m) - Radomire (1.265m)

17 1475 1475 0.3333333333⟺ 17 km ▲ 1,475 m ▼ 1,475 m ⧗ 8:00 h

We rise early and prepared to conquer the peak of Mt. Korab (2.764m). It’s a strenuous day with much elevation difference but without technical difficulty. The path sees shepherd huts and mixed terrain, rocky stretches and soft meadows. Reaching the the saddle at the border, we circle the peak and approach it from the backside. Weather allowing, we have lunch on the top and return on the same route back to our accommodation. You may complete only part of the return hike or skip it altogether to explore the village and spend the day at leisure. Same overnight as last night.



7. From Korab into the Sharr MountainsRadomire (1.265m) - Caje (1.475m)

18 925 725 0.3020833333⟺ 18 km ▲ 925 m ▼ 725 m ⧗ 7:15 h

Leaving the Korab Massif behind we enter the area of the Sharr Mountains. This range extends for about 80 km across the border triangle of Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania. The hike takes us to the backside of Korab and offers a very different perspective of the peak. It runs over high flower-covered meadows where semi-wild horses graze and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. There are multiple trails and your guide will pick the most suitable to descent into the remote village of Caje. The gorge has a certain end of the world feeling attached to it and might be the highest year-around inhabited settlement in all of Albania. we stay with an extended family and visit the friendly neighbors. The local “klubi” is the gathering point of the village, where elders sip “raki” (fruit spirits) and youngsters started to be attracted by energy drinks - times have starting changing even here...



8. The Last Stage of Our TrekCaje (1.475m) - Shishtavec (1.315m) - Kukes (350m)

14 1000 600 0.2916666667⟺ 14 km ▲ 1,000 m ▼ 600 m ⧗ 7:00 h

For most of the day we're following the high altitude ridgeline that forms the Albanian-Kosovar border and have the opportunity to climb a minor top or two before reaching Shishtavec. This area resembles a sea of endless grass and is populated by the Gorani community. Now separated by 20th century borders, the formerly nomadic, Slavic Muslim minority speaks a Bulgarian dialect and is spread across all three countries. From the end of the trek a transfer takes us to Kukes., a city of 15.000 that was raised from scratch after old Kukes was submerged by a hydropower reservoir. In 2000 Kuksi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, having welcoming 450.000 (!) refugees from war-torn Kosovo. A strange feeling to return to civilization and the private room and hot shower will feel like a luxury. Over dinner we rewind through the past days, celebrate our trek and would love to have your feedback on this new tour. Almost time to say goodbye!

B / LP / DHotel 1 h B / LP / D Hotel 1 h


9. The Modern Capital of Stark ContrastsKukes (350m) - Tirana (110m)

0 0 0 0Ends at Tirana's bus station at around noonExtension nights in Tirana for €35 SGL / €45 DBL (centrally located B&B)

After breakfast we travel by public transport towards Tirana (145 km / 2:45 h) and plan to reach the capital's bus station before noon. Those departing on flights before that will be able to catch earlier public transport, too. From the station it's only a short taxi ride to the airport and into the center. To those of you leaving later that day or staying on for another night (see extension options below) are invited on a free city tour. Joins us to make sense of the modern capital's turmoil, home to a quarter of the country’s population it stands is stark contrast to our previous experiences on the trek. Our walk follows the main boulevard, with Ottoman, Italian and Communist period architecture it's a timeline through the city's history. Your guide will help with recommendations for Tirana and assist with onward travel plans. Thank you for joining us on this adventure, we hope you had a great time with us and hope for you return to the Balkans!

B / - / - - 2:45 h B / - / - - 2:45 h


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High Scardus Trail (9 days) - Walking, Hiking, …...Is this trip for me? 7 hikes up to 8h walking time (Ø 6:45h) and 1,475 m altitude difference. Difficulty 3/4 Challenging For treks