Hiking facts
- Recommended travel time
April/May and September/October
- Flight connections
Skopje itinerary, Ohrid itinerary
Edelweiss tips:
Anyone who has ever been travelling in North Macedonia talks enthusiastically about the warm hospitality they experienced there. In fact, there is a greater chance of being able to communicate in German than in English, as many older Macedonians have worked in German-speaking countries. North Macedonia is also considered very safe. The greatest danger is the traffic! People often drive quite fast, so you need to be careful when walking along the road. Anyone wishing to combine their walking holiday with sightseeing should check opening times in advance. This is because the best trekking season partly coincides with the off-season for tourism, when not all places of interest will be open.
Top hiking routes in North Macedonia
Matka Canyon: a natural paradise on Skopje’s doorstep Medium
Just outside Skopje, the stunning Matka Canyon stretches out over seemingly endless horizon. Deep gorges, turquoise-blue water and unique rock formations range across 5,000 hectares here. Hikers will come across all sorts of plants and small creatures; colourful butterflies, in particular, are everywhere. A boat trip, including a visit to one of the many stalactite caves, is also highly recommended.
- Tour duration 2 hrs 25 min
- Distance 7.9 km
- Ascent 250 m
- Descent -250 m
Macedonian Transversal: once over the western mountains Difficult
The Macedonian Transversal is part of the Via Dinarica hiking trail, which runs through the Dinaric Alps across seven countries. In North Macedonia, the journey starts at Mountain Hut Ljuboten. Ljuboten (2,498 m) is the best-known mountain in the Šar-Planina range. From there, it runs across the western mountains to Ohrid. Technically, this long-distance hike is not particularly demanding, although there are a few challenges, such as the altitude on the first half of the route, where the lowest point is at 2,100 metres.
- Tour duration approx. 74 hrs 4 min (11-24 days)
- Distance 236 km
- Ascent 7,660 m
- Descent -8,580 m
Four in one at Galičica National Park Difficult
The Galičica National Park stretches from Lake Ohrid to Lake Prespa, or from Ohrid to the Albanian border. One popular walking route is the Leko Trail, which leads you to four peaks, each offering breathtaking views of the countryside and the lake: Visoki Vrv (1,280 m), Sredni Vis (1,619 m), Sreden Vrv (1,642 m) and Tri Maži (1,598 m). The route both starts and finishes in the small mountain village of Velestovo, just under 15 minutes’ drive from Ohrid. As parking spaces are limited, we recommend getting there by taxi.
- Tour duration 6 hrs 25 min
- Distance 18.3 km
- Ascent 960 m
- Descent -990 m
Along the border with views of the triple border area Difficult
The Albanian village of Caje lies a good 3.5 hours’ drive from both Skopje and Ohrid, at the foot of the Corab Mountains on the edge of Mavrovo National Park. The hike follows the border between Kosovo and Macedonia, offering magnificent views over the peaks of the triple border region of Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. But it’s not just the views of the mountains and landscapes that are so enchanting. There is also a good chance of spotting local wildlife such as roe deer and eagles. Don’t forget your binoculars.
- Tour duration 7 hrs 20 min
- Distance 23.1 km
- Ascent 910 m
- Descent -950 m
Stunning views of the “Black Stone” Difficult
A good 50 minutes’ drive from Ohrid, the Jabllanice-Shebenk National Park lies on the border between Macedonia and Albania. This is where Peak Crn Kamen (“black stone”) rises to 2,257 metres. Hikers love the picturesque surroundings, with green meadows, majestic forests and babbling brooks. Please note: there may still be patches of snow in spring, so non-slip footwear is essential. From the summit, there is a breathtaking view over the mountains, glacial lakes and Lake Ohrid.
- Tour duration 6 hrs 35 min
- Distance 18.8 km
- Ascent 1,560 m
- Descent -80 m
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