High Scardus Trail (7 days)

The details

The High Scardus Trail offers a multi-day trekking experience across the rugged alpine landscapes of Kosovo and North Macedonia. The trip includes five full days of hiking, across diverse landscapes, including an opportunity to climb to the summit of Luboten Peaks (2,498 m). In total, trekkers will travel over 78 kilometers in the high peaks of Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Nights on the trail are spent in remote mountain huts and traditional guesthouses, so hikers experience traditional hospitality and local cuisine. Outside of the mountain lodges, the tour includes one night in each Prishtina and Prizren, so travelers will be able to experience Kosovo’s most modern and most traditional cities.

The High Scardus Trail was recognized as the Best European Project of 2022 by the British Guild of Travel Writers.

Your Guides

Uta Ibrahimi

UIMLA + UIAA

Meto Chillimanov

UIMLA + UIAA

Nadir Murseli

Expert

What’s included

Guide

Professional hiking guides, friendly and English-speaking

Accommodation

Authentic and traditional stays

Transfer

All transfers according to the itinerary, with own minivan and an English speaking professional driver
Transfers of the loads can be organized.

Food

Breakfast, packed lunches and dinners are included in the package

More info

This trip is ideal for experienced hikers interested in more challenging hikes and summits. The High Scardus Trail takes travelers off the beaten path to explore one of the Europe’s least traveled trails. This tour also offers cultural experiences, through stays in traditional mountain villages in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.

The guided format makes this route especially well-suited for small groups, couples, and solo travelers who want the challenge and freedom of a high-alpine trek without the stress of navigation or logistics.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Prishtina Airport and transfer to hotel. Time to explore Prishtina in evening before meeting for dinner and briefing with guide.

Included: Airport transfer, accommodation in Prishtina, dinner, and briefing with the guide.
Accommodation: Hotel in Prishtina

Day 2: Shterpce Village – Luboten Peak
Early start to the day with breakfast and transfer (60 minutes) to trailhead in Shterpce Village. Trekkers will hike through forests and meadows, before climbing Luboten Peak. The summit offers stunning panoramas of Sharr Mountain range. Descend to Luboten Mountain Hut in North Macedonia.

Trail: 15 km | +1,500 m / –1,078 m | 4–6 h (Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, transfer, and accommodation
Accommodation: Luboten Mountain Hut, North Macedonia

Day 3: Luboten Hut (MK) – Brezovica (KS) via Livadica Lake
Hike begins through forests and past alpine meadows on the way to Livadica Lake, where there is an option to stop for lunch and swimming. Hike ends at Brezovica, where hikers will meet the vehicle and drive (about 40 minutes) to the Village of Lubinje. Stay at Lubinje and stay at local guesthouse.

Trail: 12 km | +950 m / –1,078 m | 3–5 h (Easy)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, transfer, and accommodation.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Lubijne, Kosova.

Day 4: Kobilica (KS) – Vejce (MK)
Hike from Lubinje towards Kobilica and Traskavec peaks, trekking through forests and up and over a mountain ridgeline that form the border between Kosovo and North Macedonia. Trek into North Macedonia and descend into the Macedonian Village of Vejce. Dinner and accommodation in Vejce.

Trail: 12 km | +1,300 m / –1,200 m | 4–6 h (Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and accommodation
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Vejce, North Macedonia

Day 5: Vejce (MK) – Bozovce (MK)
Start hiking from Vejce, climbing to a dramatic ridgeline. Walk along ridgeline surrounded by some of the most dramatic peaks of the Sharr Mountains. Stop at Karanikola Lake with an option for swimming before descending back into Bozovce in Kosovo. Dinner and accommodation in local guesthouse.

Trail: 17 km | +700 m / – 850 m | 4– 6h (Easy – Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and accommodation
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Bozovce (North Macedonia)

Day 6: Bozovce – Brod (KS), Transfer to Prizren
Start trekking from Bozovce, descend into Sharr National Park and end in Kosovo Village of Brod. Transfer (about one-hour) to Prizren, Kosovo’s most charming and historic town. Time to explore Prizren before meeting for dinner.

Trail: 21 km | + 1,200 m / – 1,000 m | 6-7 h (Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, transfers, and accommodation
Accommodation: Prizren, Kosova.

Day 7: Transfer to Prishtina Airport
Breakfast in hotel. Depending on flights, optional walking tour of Prizren. Transfer to Prishtina Airport.

Included: Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

Note: The actual itinerary and the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions and forecast, road conditions, etc. For further details on the itinerary, please write to us at info@butterflyoutdoor.com.

Accommodation

We stay exclusively in locally owned guesthouses and enjoy traditional, home-cooked meals prepared by local families. Supporting these communities is a core part of our work, and we are proud to contribute directly to the people who have lived in these mountains for generations.