Peak Golem Korab (Top of Macedonia)

His Majesty Golem Korab – the roof of Macedonia (and in our opinion the highest peak in former Yugoslavia: Let’s be honest , we no longer drink Fruktal :)

Korab is one of the mountains that must stand high on your To-Do list, amazing nature, waterfalls, mountain lakes, rivers and sights that will leave you breathless. On Korab there are several paths and peaks worth visiting, which we are sure will be the subject of our “next adventures”, the mountain is quite isolated and on the border with Albania.

But let’s come back to the ground: the path starts from the Watchtower “Pobeda” – Strezimir. From Skopje we travel to Mavrovi Anovi, at the dam we split for Debar and at the crossroads we turn right to the north and after 11 km along a good asphalt road we arrive at the crossroad where we turn left for the Watchtower “Pobeda” – Strezimir. There is a section of 2 km dirt road to the watchtower – a section that is not recommended for passenger vehicles (but if you do not have an Offroad vehicle and you do not feel sorry for the car, this section can be driven because the height difference is only 150 m).

Another option: to wait until September 8th?

The traditional ascent of Golem Korab is organized on the occasion of September 8 – the Independence Day of Macedonia. This year (2021) could be on 05.09.2021 or 12.09.2021 (and may be also cancelled due to COVID) and depends probably on the weather forecast and assessment of the organizer Mountain Club Korab and FPSM (Federation of mountaineering sports of Macedonia). During the event, several mountaineering associations participate with organized transport, Red Cross teams take care of our health, and Uncle Ljubo takes care of the mood and drinks. If you participate, prepare from 30 – 50 denars for entry into the Mavrovo National Park + transportation ticket.

The beginning of the track starts from the Watchtower “Pobeda” – Strezimir and if you go solo, you will probably have to register in advance because you are moving in a border area. Shortly after starting at 1.7 km we reach the spring where we replenish the reserves with water and to Nistrovo Bacilo from where the ascent increases and we move carefully on the ridge because the path here is slippery and filled with small pebbles. After carefully climbing the ridge we arrive at Korab’s saddle – a sight filled with peaks and pastures. After exactly 4.5 km, the trail sinks briefly into the saddle and the Golem Korab peak is already in sight. After 6 km, the final ascent to the top begins where we spend our last efforts, but the view from the top of Macedonia is worth all the efforts.

Some of our mountaineering associations characterize this trail as difficult, and this is probably not because of the length, but because of the height difference of 1260 m. Our recommendation to be on the safe side: carefully monitor the weather conditions and leave the watchtower by 8 am at the latest. If you do not arrive at the top by 1pm, be sure to return. That way you will have the opportunity to try your strength another day :)

In winter conditions, you can visit this trail only with a certified guide or mountaineering club. Caution: on most of the track the GSM signal is missing – so in case of emergency and no satellite phone, you will be on your own.