We are happy and proud to close another successful season on the High Scardus Trail, after welcoming more than 100 guests from around the world to the mountains of Kosovo and North Macedonia. For many of our guests, this was their first visit to this part of the Balkans. They arrived curious about a destination they knew little about and left with memories of wild mountains, generous hospitality, delicious local food, challenging days on the trail, and new friendships. Their feedback confirmed what we have always believed: the High Scardus Trail is much more than a hiking route. It is an experience connecting landscapes, communities, cultures, and people.
Helping to develop the trail
Butterfly Outdoor Adventure has been actively involved in developing, testing, and promoting the High Scardus Trail. Over the years, we have walked and explored these mountains, helped shape the itinerary, worked on logistics and safety, established relationships with accommodation providers, and introduced the route to international travelers. Today, we are proud to be the only local tour operator consistently bringing organised international groups along this trail.
This is important not only for our company, but also for the long-term development of mountain tourism in the region.
Tourism that supports local communities
One of our main goals has always been to make sure tourism creates real benefits for the people who live in these mountains. Our groups stay in locally owned guesthouses, eat food prepared by local families, and use local transport services. We also involve people from the surrounding communities in guiding, transfers, accommodation, food preparation, logistics, and other support services. Every group arriving on the High Scardus Trail brings income directly into mountain villages. It creates reasons for people to remain in their communities, improve their services, and see tourism as a possible and sustainable future.
This is the kind of tourism we want to develop: tourism that respects nature, supports local livelihoods, and keeps mountain communities alive.
What our guests valued most
At the end of the season, we analysed 44 client reviews. The strongest message was the importance of our local guides and the personal care they provided. Guests repeatedly mentioned the guides’ knowledge, leadership, patience, humour, safety awareness, and ability to support people through difficult moments. They also spoke about the beauty of the Sharr Mountains, the quiet trails, the warm local hospitality, the food, the varied accommodation, and the friendships created within each group.
Many described the area as wild, untouched, peaceful, and still undiscovered. One guest wrote: “It’s not just a hiking holiday. It’s one of those rare experiences that reminds you why you travel in the first place.” Another described the journey as: “A challenging adventure rewarded by some of the most stunning scenery you’ll ever see.” Guests also appreciated the feeling of having the mountains almost entirely to themselves. On some departures, groups walked for several days without meeting other hikers—only local shepherds, villagers, and animals along the trail.
A challenging but rewarding journey
The feedback also confirmed that this is a demanding hiking experience. Guests spoke honestly about the steep ascents and descents, long days, summer heat, exposed sections, and the physical effort required. But they also described the pride, confidence, and deep sense of achievement they felt at the end of each day. For the coming season, the trip will be presented at a higher difficulty level so that future guests arrive with the right expectations and preparation. The challenge is part of what makes the experience so powerful.
The High Scardus Trail is not an ordinary holiday. It asks something from you—but it gives back even more.
Thank you for walking with us
We are grateful to every guest who trusted us and travelled to Kosovo and North Macedonia this season. We are also thankful to our guides, local hosts, drivers, transfer teams, accommodation partners, and everyone working behind the scenes. This season would not have been possible without their commitment and care. Most importantly, we are proud that every successful departure helped bring more attention, work, and opportunity to the mountain communities along the trail.
The High Scardus Trail is still quiet, authentic, and wonderfully wild. We will continue working to protect these qualities while creating responsible opportunities for the people who call these mountains home.
The season may be over, but the journey continues.
See you on the High Scardus Trail.
