Korab Massif

Hiking /Technical mountaineering /alpine climbing /ski mountaineering /ice climbing /rock climbing -enormous potential to explore this uncomercialized beauty that this wild mountain hide in it's lap.

 

Getting There

There are several approach points to get to different areas & sides of the Korab's massif. The best logistic option is to overnight in Mavrovi Anovi -the administrative town by the lake, located on the regional road R1202 . The 'classic' one for approaching and the ascent of the higghest summit of the mountain, Golem Korab (2.764msl) is to leave Mavrovi Anovi towards city of Debar, and after 9km, turn right on the bridge and continue 12km more towards Border tower 'Pobeda', passing trough the border police settlement at Strezimir village. At the following junction you take upwards left. You can park at the border tower -no problems for that. After on, the trail is well marked up to the summit of Golem Korab (2.764msl).

Type of activities

Mountaineering /Hiking

Whether you go for a single day to the summit or the surrounding peaks, or for a multi-day adventure, Korab has to offer you it's magical beauty, with its beautiful colors and vivid and adventurous terrain. Most of the trails are well marked, but feel free to explore the peaks and the surrounding highlands and summits (according to your experience in the mountains), which will make you feel stoked.

Some of the surrounding peaks and it summits require technical ascent, alpine tie, belayed or solo, there are dozens of peaks that arise tall in the Korab massif that are beautiful climbing experience and even more that await their First Ascents. in general they characterise with steep rock faces, almost vertical to vertical and sometimes grassy parts in them. Be careful after a period of rainfall. Slippery and loose. More details for this at the objects related.

Rock Climbing

There are bolted sport climbing routes in the grades range from 6a up to 9a into the Korab region and it surroundings.  Up in the Korab heights there are some existing trad lines, and endless potential for new ones. More info for this on email or in the objects related.

Ski Mountaineering /Free Ride

During the winter Korab massif offers enormous potential for backcountry skiing. Whether you go for putting new ski lines, or go for the existing ones, it is hard to do the whole in a lifetime. You can go for ski summiting some of the peaks as well as Golem Korab, or you can explore new freeride lines in the mounting skiing on this mountain heaven. There are organised multi-day winter ski expeditions, with sleeping high in the mountains in the sheepfolds or in base camps. more info for this on guiding@mavrovooutdoors.mk.  

        Red Tape       Logistics      Warnings!       Good To Know

RED TAPE -although there are still rumours on many forums that to ascend Korab you need a special permit --that is 'bs'. NO PERMIT is required to approach nor to ascend Golem Korab or any other peak in the vicinity. However, be advised that you are moving and acting in border zone between Macedonia and Albania, so it is strongly suggested to check-in  the border police station  passing on the road to the start point. REACHING THE START POINT, The border tower 'Pobeda' -Strezimir the only thing that is 'challenging' into the logistics of the approach for the start point is the 12kms of unpaved road. There is no 'taxi' available for that purpose, so the best thing is to contact Dimitar Popov guidedpopov@gmail.com  (MavrovoOutdoors) where you might get some assistance for this issue. If you walk this section, you will need additional day for approaching the start point only.