What is the High Scardus Trail?
The High Scardus Trail links five mountain ranges: Shar, Korab, Deshat, Jablanica and Galicica. It starts in Staro Selo, 40 km from Skopje, and ends at the monastery of Sveti Naum on Lake Ohrid, crossing the borders between North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania eight times on the way. More than 90% of the trail runs through six protected areas.
The official route has 20 hiking stages and two transfer stages: 362 km in total, about 307 km of it on foot, with more than 17,000 m of ascent on the hiking days. It is graded difficult. The paths are technically moderate, but days run up to 26 km and about 8 hours of walking, some sections have no clear path and you need GPS to navigate on many stages.
Why hike it with us
All eight border crossings are on mountain paths without a checkpoint, so every group needs a permit with the names of the hikers and the day-by-day plan. North Macedonia currently issues these permits only to organised groups with a guide, not to hikers on their own.
We are based in Skopje and our guides are licensed and experienced. Our guide Stojan worked on the trail project and guided an attempt to ride the whole trail by mountain bike, so we know its paths, huts and villages. We apply for the permits, plan the stages with you, book the nights, move your luggage where there is a road and drive you to the start and home from the finish.
Our High Scardus Trail tours
- 01
The whole trail
All 20 hiking stages from Staro Selo to Sveti Naum, with the two transfer stages by car. Plan about three weeks.
- Distance: 307 km on foot
- Ascent: 17,300 m
- Duration: 20 hiking days
- 02
Shar Mountain: Staro Selo to Bozovce
Stages 1 to 6 over the Shar range: the hut below Ljuboten (2,498 m), Brezovica and Prevalla in Kosovo, the view of Titov Vrv and Lake Karanikola.
- Distance: 78 km
- Ascent: 4,880 m
- Duration: 6 hiking days
- 03
Korab and Deshat: Bozovce to Bitushe
Stages 7 to 14: the Leshnica valley, the Gorani village of Restelica, Korab, the highest peak of North Macedonia and Albania, the Grama plateau and the forests of Mavrovo National Park below Velivar.
- Distance: 138 km
- Ascent: 7,680 m
- Duration: 8 hiking days
- 04
Jablanica and Galicica: Modric to Sveti Naum
Stages 16 to 22, lower and usually open from early June: the glacial lakes of Shebenik-Jablanica National Park, Crni Kamen (2,257 m), the village of Vevcani and the Galicica ridge between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, to the finish at Sveti Naum.
- Distance: 91 km
- Ascent: 4,740 m
- Duration: 6 hiking days
- 05
High Scardus by mountain bike
The trail was built for hikers and many northern parts are too narrow and overgrown to ride, but the forest descents from Deshat to Rabdisht and the trails above Lake Ohrid are great on a bike. We ride the parts that work, on MTBs or e-MTBs, and link them with our 4x4 van.
- Bikes: MTB or e-MTB
What we can arrange
- A licensed, experienced guide
- Border permits for every crossing on your route
- Nights in mountain huts, guesthouses and village homes
- Luggage transfers where there is a road
- Transfers from Skopje to the start and back from Ohrid
- GPS tracks and a day-by-day plan before you go
Good to know
The season runs from mid-June to mid-October; the lower southern stages over Jablanica and Galicica usually open in early June. In dry summers the forests can be closed because of fire danger, as they were in July and August 2025, so we check the rules before every trip.
Many huts and guesthouses take only cash, mobile signal is patchy in the high mountains, and you carry 1.5 to 3 litres of water a day. You should be fit and used to long mountain days; teenagers can join from 14.
Another classic trail
Peaks of the Balkans loops through Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, about 2.5 hours by car from Skopje.
Questions and answers
Do I need a permit for the High Scardus Trail?
Yes. The trail crosses the borders between North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania eight times on mountain paths, so you need a permit that lists every hiker and the day-by-day plan. North Macedonia currently issues it only for organised groups with a guide. We apply for all permits for you, at least two weeks before the trip.
How long is the High Scardus Trail?
The official route is 362 km in 22 stages: 20 hiking stages with about 307 km on foot, and two transfer stages by car. The whole trail takes about three weeks, and one section takes 6 to 8 days.
When is the best time to hike the High Scardus Trail?
From mid-June to mid-October. The lower stages over Jablanica and Galicica usually open in early June.
How hard is the High Scardus Trail?
It is graded difficult. The paths are technically moderate, but days run up to 26 km with about 1,300 m of ascent, and some sections have no clear path. You should be fit and used to mountain hiking.
Can I ride the High Scardus Trail on a mountain bike?
Only in parts. Many northern sections are too narrow and overgrown, but the descents from Deshat to Rabdisht and the trails above Lake Ohrid are great to ride. Our guide Stojan led an attempt to ride the whole trail, so we know which parts work on a bike.
Where does the High Scardus Trail start and end?
It starts in Staro Selo, 40 km from Skopje, and ends at the monastery of Sveti Naum on Lake Ohrid. We drive you from Skopje to the start and back from the finish.
How do I book?
Send us your dates, the group size and which part of the trail you would like to hike on WhatsApp or Viber at +389 78 315 213. We reply with the details and the price.
