Jelacki Crn Vrv – a mountain peak in the Jelak area of Shar Mountain, in the northwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. Its height is 1,890 meters. Jelacki Crn Vrv is located to the north of Popova Shapka, near the former Jelak mountain lodge. The trail is 5 km long and runs from the “Smreka” Mountaineering Lodge through the poles to the 2000 m above sea level ridge leading to the destroyed Jelak Mountaineering Lodge and up to the Jelacki Crn Vrv. The path is easy and moves through a picturesque landscape of grasslands and a coniferous forest belt to the summit, which is set on a characteristic ridge. The climb before the peak is specific takes place along the crest of the ridge, one side of the peak is rock while the other is steep grassland, this part requires careful movement. From the top there is a wonderful view of the central part of Shar Mountain. The path is well marked and visible.
Source: Wikipedia
Tour
Weather conditions, especially in the mountains, are largely unpredictable. Despite the fact that we properly planned and chose sunny days for this tour, when we arrived at Popova Shapka, we were greeted by fog, temperatures between 0 and -1, and occasional rains – completely contrary to the forecast we expected, as well as the sun that prevailed on most mountaintops that day – but that’s Shar Mountain at her true best, magical and unpredictable.
Unfavorable conditions did not at any moment sway us in our goal – Jelachki Crn Vrv. Although this tour is rarely on the agenda of our mountaineering clubs, the nature, the evergreen forests and the attractiveness of the peak, although not so high, are worthy reasons to decide on it.
Like most tours that start at Popova Shapka, the trail starts from Mountain Hut Smreka. This time you will need to be careful with your GPS device because the first half of the trail is not marked – without a GPS device and visibility of 2-3 meters, movement is practically impossible. From Mountain Hut Smreka, after passing 500 – 800 meters, we join a dirt road – the same road further divides towards Leshnica. We move 3 km. along a relatively easy path to the Jelak mountain lodge which was once one of the most visited lodges of Shara – whose condition today is more than unclear. We continue along the dirt road and slowly enter a beautiful evergreen forest – water springs at every step. After a total of 4 km. we arrive at the Vidikovec location with arranged wooden tables and benches and several informative signposts – unfortunately all incorrect (this piece of our country is both magical and mysterious). We leave the dirt road, which continues to the village of Brodec, and this is where the hiking trail begins. Right next to the path there is a place for feeding wild animals and a hunting “Sachekusha”, or a wooden house that hunters use for hunting. From this point begins a beautiful hiking trail with a length of 2 km. with a significantly increased slope. At the beginning, we move through a beautiful evergreen forest and somewhere near the end, along the very ridge, we conquer Jelacki Crn Vrv.
Caution: The last 1 km., the path passes along the steep ridge before the summit with dangerous chasms on both sides of the movement. Climbing requires special caution if you are climbing with children.
And finally, greetings to the mountaineers from Mountain Hut Smreka, with the hope that on one of the following weekends we will be able to at least have a hot cup of tea – this time the door of Mountain Hut Smreka remained closed!
Mountain trails nearby:
Bike trails nearby:
