This tour is part of the Macedonian Central Transversal Route that takes you from Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, and over the Central mountain massif into the heart of the country. It is one of the most popular routes from Skopje that takes in the mountains Jakupica, or Mokra (locals call it “Wet Mountain” for the many springs with drinking water), and Karadzica. The highlight of the tour being the summit Solunska Glava (2.540m) that opens a spectacular panorama as far as Pelagonija valley, all southern mountain ranges of N. Macedonia, and the rest of the Jakupica massif – the high grassy plateau placed between Solunska Glava and Dautica and Karadjica massifs.
DAY 1: Skopje – mountain hut Karadzica (1.455m)
A short transfer by few villages at the foothill of Mt Karadzica will take you to Preslap saddle (970m asl) where you start hiking mostly through beech-wood forests and meadows on well-established jeep-roads and hiking trails. As you walk up, a beautiful panorama opens-up of the northern slopes of the massif particularly toward Mount Karadzica and Mount Kitka, and also in the far north Mount Vodno and the capital city of Skopje are visible. This hike should take around 3 hours, if we don’t count the stops for wild strawberries and blackberries along the trail, or rosehips, depending on the season. Once in the mountain hut, don’t miss the open terrace on the edge of the hill – this hut is well known for the best mountain views in the country. Overnight in Karadzica mountain hut.
Hike: 7 km / 727m D+, 282m D-
Total drive: 1hour / 25km
DAY 2: Solunska Glava Peak
Today is the big challenge and the most exciting trail on this tour: after the first 2 hours walk on a jeep road you will enter the hiking path in a beech-wood forest which later extends into low cypress shrubbery up to the saddle at 2.050m, where a beautiful panorama of a glacial flatland opens up. Begovo pole is one of the most notable landmarks in this part of the massif - a circular-shaped pasture beneath Solunska Glava summit filled with thousands of sheep and little ground squirrels that live only here. If you speak louder you will notice their little curious heads coming out from the holes in the ground. From here starts the climb on a curvy single-track to the rocky peak Solunska Glava. Descend down on the other side of the mountain carefully, as the trail follows the edge of a huge rocky amphitheater until you reach the woods. It will take you around 3 hours walk from Solunska Glava to the mountain hut on the other side. Overnight in Cheplees mountain hut.
Hike: 22,2 km / 1.358m D+, 1.260m D-
DAY 3: River Babuna springs and waterfall
As you walk from Cheples to Nezhilovo village, on half-way down there is a special spot where magnificent Solunska Glava peak appears again and its mighty Nezilovi Spili rock face, looming above your head reflecting golden sunshine. And finally deep into the forest, following a narrow well-marked trail, Babuna river roam can be heard but with a surprise: there is a small but picturesque waterfall few hundred meters before the springs - stealing the glory of the locale. Refresh yourself, fill all your bottles with water and get ready for a walk down by a jeep road to Nezhilovo village where you can finish the day in the local fish restaurant by Babuna river.
Hike: 13,6km / 698m D+, 1.418m D-
220 € + 60 € local supplement / per person
Price is valid for min 2 participants sharing double room (available in mountain hut Cheples only)
INCLUDED IN PRICE:
- Transfer from Skopje to Preslap saddle on Mt Karadzica on Day 1
- Transfer from Nezhilovo fishpond to Bogomila train station on Day 3
- Accommodation: 1 night in mountain hut Karadzica (shared facilities) and 1 night in mountain hut Cheples / private rooms - basic/ based on 2 participants sharing double room
- 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:
OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS:
- Supplement for single room accommodation: 19 €
- Supplement for full board (2 x breakfast, 1 x lunchbox, 2 x dinner): 69 € / per person. Vegetarian and vegan meals available on request
- Private arrival / departure transfers if not arriving / leaving together with group available on request
- Extra night before or after the tour
- In Skopje: 3* hotel: from 26 € / per person sharing double room; Single supplement from 15 €; 4* hotel: from 40 € / per person sharing double room; Single supplement from 20 €
- In Karadzica mountain hut (shared facilities): from 12 €/ per person in dorm room. Single supplement: 10 €.
- In Cheples mountain hut: private rooms: from 15 €/ per person sharing double room. Single supplement: 10 €.
- In village Nezhilovo: hotel 1*, private rooms: from 15 € / per person sharing double room. Single supplement: 10 €
- Rent of Global Positioning System (GPS) console: 45 €
By jeep transfer from Skopje:
Jeep transfer is included from Skopje to Preslap (the starting point on Mt Karadzica). Drive 1h = 25km. Please note that your transfer should start from Skopje the latest by 14h as hike to the Karadzica mountain hut lasts ca 3 hours.
By car and train to Skopje:
Trains start from village
Bogomila train station to
Skopje Railway Station. Village Bogomila is on 9km (20min) drive from village Nezhilovo where you finish the hike. Car transfer from village Nezhilovo to village Bogomila is included in price.
Taxi / private transfers:
Available on request
