Overview
Titov vrv peak (2748 m)
To take a trip to the mountains of
Macedonia is like taking a trip to the most beautiful and the most valuable essence contained in the Mountains of the World excluding extremity, as a feature which is aesthetically destructive and would crush the sublime code of harmony. The northwest chain of Macedonia incorporates the ring of one of the most complete and most harmonious mountains in the world:
Sar Mountain!
Any significant quality attributable to the world mountains could definitely be ascribe to Sar Mountain too! Toppointed, vertiginously steep rocks, on the threshold of horror, rise high in the blue sky, resembling the Alps, the Andes, the Pamirs, or the Himalayas. Unlike these gigantic ridges, however, Sar Mountain never steps over the borderline which, as its hallmark, makes Macedonia so recognizable: nothing steps over the human dimension.
The flowery meadows like galaxies made up of "crumbs of the starry gold" as Trakl would put it are as beautiful as mountain meadows could possibly be. Since this is a matter of beauty, the "human dimension " is even intensified. The formula of Sar Mountain is such that one receives "less from the horror, and more from the beauty and the excitement! " A mountain itself, as it is, cannot do without a certain amount of horror and danger; nevertheless, that amount has here been reduced to the point required to keep us aware of our being on a magnificent, grand and indomitable mountain. As for the beauty of Sar Mountain, it has been brought down to the opposite level: as much as the human soul can possibly take!
What it in fact means is that the pasture grounds along with the already mentioned galactic wreath of flowers are larger than anywhere else in Europe! According to leading European encyclopedias, the compact grassy area on Shara Mountain is unrivaled to any mountain range in Europe. This fact has only been implicitly rendered so far. Facts about other mountains have not been compiled in a final comparative project. Still, the implicit in this case becomes explicit for the sake of praising the harmony of this mountain.
prof. Ferid Muhic
Mount Shara characteristics
Mala Kobilica and Golema Kobilica summits (2526 m) on Shar planina
The
Shar Planina massif is located between the
Gostivar and
Tetovo valleys in the south-east, the
Mavrovo Lake on the south, the
Korab massif in the west. From here, with a small part, the massif enters the Albanian territory, while its northern and north-western parts lie on the territory of Serbia and Montenegro (province of Kosovo). It stretches on a surface of 1600km, 56.25% of the massif is located in Macedonia, 43.12% in Serbia and Montenegro, and 0.63% in Albania.
Mount Shara is the largest mountain in Macedonia - it is 80 km long and around 30 km wide. Its pastures, peaks, valleys, forests, and rivers are immense. Shar planina is a mountain with glacial relief, beautiful forests, streams and rivers. The mountain has very interesting vegetation that includes crops up to around 1000 meters, forests up to 1700 meters, and above that lie high pastures which encompass around 550 square kilometers.
High quality dairy products, mainly cheese and feta cheese, are made in the many sheepfolds on Shar and the adjacent mountains.
The mountain has been formed in the Tertiary period. The most upper parts of the mountain had been frozen with large amounts of ice and snow.
The
mountain borders extends from the Kosovo's city of
Prizren, following the
Lepenec river, the city of
Kachanik, passes the Serbia-Montenegro/Macedonia border, the canyon of
Derven and forms the waste
Polog valley. The border passes near the
Vardar spring called
Vrutok and goes near the valley of
Mavrovo. There the
Radika river separate the two highest Macedonian mountains: Shar planina and Korab. After that, the border is mounting, reaching the point of junction of three state borders: Macedonian, Serbia-Montenegro and Albanian. The border now follows the road to the Kosovo's small town of
Restelica, the river of
Globocica, Plavska river, river of Bel Drim and reaches again the city of Prizren.
Peaks
Bakrdan peak (2700 m). The highest peak on Shara - Titov vrv (2748 m) can be seen in the back
The mountain has as many as
43 peaks higher than 2500 meters above the sea level. An interesting fact is that if starting the travel through the Shar planina mountain from the domineering and magnificent
Ljuboten peak, it can be accomplished without going down below 2,000 m of altitude all the way to the
Korab mountain for at least 80 km!
The most important mountain peaks are:
• Titov vrv (2,748 m)
• Turchin (2702 m)
• Bakrdan (2700 m)
• Borislaec (2675 m)
• Bistra (2651 m)
• Dzini beg (2610 m)
• Ezerska chuka (2604 m)
• Grad (2595 m)
• Crn vrv (2584 m)
• Vraca (2582 m)
• Karabunar (2563 m)
• Kazani (2562 m)
• Durmion (2542 m)
• Bistrica (2540)
• Kobilica (2526)
The mountain
highest part begins with the peak of
Ljuboten (2499 m) which stands isolated of the main mountain massif in the north east direction. This peak is maybe the most beautiful of the Shara peaks. The following peaks in the south-west direction are
Livadica (2491 m) and
Piribeg (2522 m).
From the peak of Piribeg, two alpine mountain fractions dominate in the sky:
Ezero and
Bistrica. The most important peak in the Ezero fraction is
Ezerska chuka (2604 m) and the most important peaks of the Bistrica fraction are
Bistra (2651 m) and
Bistrica (2540 m).
The next important peak is
Crn vrv (2584 m). All these peaks are making the Macedonia/Serbia-Montenegro border. Near the Crni vrv peak are the
Kobilica peaks (the highest one has 2526 m), creating one of the most beautiful landscapes of the mountain. The mountain continues with the peak of
Kara Nikola (2408 m). Two beautiful glacier lakes are situated near the peak. Following are the peaks of
Skakalac (2494 m),
Klech (2312 m),
Strikule (2360 m) and
Dzini beg, which is situated at 2650 meters above the sea.
At this point the Rudoka fraction leaves the main mountain direction and goes in the north-east direction rising in the Shara's highest peaks of
Titov vrv (2748 m),
Turchin (2702 m) and
Bakrdan (2700 m). This fraction finishes with the peak of
Ceripashina (2525 m), forming the beautiful valley of
Leshnica.
From the Titov vrv peak, one extremely beautiful part of the mountain with vertical rocks stands above the valley of Leshnica.
Following the
Dzini beg peak is the
Durmion peak (2542 m), where a different mountain separation reaches the peak of
Borislaec (2675 m).
The main mountain ridge continues with the peaks of
Vraca (2582 m),
Mala Vraca (2452 m),
Rasangul (2383 m),
Kuchi Baba (2209 m),
Fudan (2225) and
Lera (2197 m).
Kobilica summits (2526 m) in summer and winter
Lakes and rivers
Twenty seven of the total of
39 mountain glacier lakes lie on the Macedonian side of the border.
The biggest glacier lake on the mountain is the
Bogovinsko lake, situated near the
Borislaec peak, on the 1960 meters above the sea. It is long 452 m and wide 225 m, with a depth of 2.2 m.
Following is the
Crno lake, situated near the
Borislaec peak, on the 2122 meters above the sea. It is long 248 m and wide 185 m, with a depth of 2.2 m.
The third biggest glacier lake on the mountain is the
Golem gjol lake, on the 2180 meters above the sea, it is long 290 and wide 115 meters, with a depth of 5,60 m.
On the Serbian (Kosovo's) side of the mountain, the most important lakes are:
Livadicko (2173 m) near the peak of
Livadica,
Jazinachko lake (2180 m) near the
Ezerska chuka peak,
Big lake (2400 m) near the
Bistrica peak etc.
Around 72 rivers are forming the mountain canyons and valleys. The most important ones are:
Vrutochka, Vrapchiska, Golema, Mazdracha, Bogovinska, Kamenjanska, Pena, Leshocka, Belovishka, Vratnichka, Plavska, Sharshtica, Petroshtica, Ljubinska, Restelicka etc.
The most important mountain waterfall is is situated on the
Belovishka reka (
43 meters high).
The waterfall of
Leshnica (
25 m) is situated near the peak of
Titov vrv.
Shepherd dog Sharplaninec
The
Sharplaninec is an ancient livestock guarding breed from the Shar Planina region. It is named after the Shar Planina mountain range where the breed is most common. The Sharplaninec was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1995.
The Sharplaninec has the honor of being recognized by both the Macedonian and the Yugoslav kennel clubs. Thought to be older than the Istrian Shepherd (although not as old a breed as the Greek Shepherd Dog or the Turkish Akbash), this reserved guardian exists in sustainable numbers in Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia. It was first recognized as a distinct breed in 1930. Since 1975 successful exports have been carried out to the United States and Canada to control coyotes, and this is where its future security rests. It is now gaining recognition as a hard-working, readily able flock guard in those countries. Numerous in its homeland, the Sharplaninec is still part of the great flock. It is versatile and occasionally works cattle or serves as guard.
Popova Shapka
The most popular winter ski resort in the Macedonia -
Popova Shapka is located on Mount Shara on the Macedonian side on the
1780 meters above sea level, on 35 kilometters from the capital
Skopje. Popova Shapka offers excellent ski environment and hotel accommodations.
Visitors not only from Macedonia, but also from many other countries, return season after season here to relax, have fun, and experience adventure. Popova Shapka has been a host to both the European and Balkan Ski Championships.
There are two ways to get to Popova Shapka: by car and by rope-railway with a starting location in Tetovo. The rope-railway is 6km long and it takes about 36 minutes to reach the top.
The Leshnica valley
Rocks above the Leshnica valley
The old
Jelak mountain hut was located at 1 hour walk distance from
Popova Shapka, on a magnificent mountain slope covered with green meadows and fir forest. From there one can experience beautiful views to the summits of
Mala and Golema Kobilica (2,526 m).
Carrying on along the track that leads from Jelak mountain hut, within three hours you will arrive at one of the most beautiful spots in Mount Shara: the valley of
Leshnica. It is difficult to find words that would describe the magnificence of the high peaks that rise above this marvellous place, the whisper of the ancient fir and pine forests, and the rippling of the unbelievably pristine waters of the
Pena river's springs. This site is simply a must for all visitors if they are apt to experience the magnificence and generosity of the Leshnica environment
Getting There
The most frequently used approaches on the Macedonian side are: via
Tetovo and the
Popova Shapka ski-centre or via the village
Vratnica.
From the Serbia-Montenegro Kosovo side the most common approaches are from the city of
Prizren and
Restelica. There are many alternative approaches as well.
The capital city of Macedonia,
Skopje, is located in the distance of 35 kilometers, and the foreign turists can use the
Skopje's airport. A new highway connects the capital with the city of
Tetovo. Once there, the tourist can use an asphalt road that leads to the Popova Shapka skiing centre, there are also taxi transportation and ski-lift during the winter.
Red Tape
View from Ceripashina
Because this mountain stretches across the Macedonia/Serbia-Montenegro border line, there is a need of special permit in order to visit the bordering peaks that can be obtained from the Ministry of interior. Othervise, there are no summit fees, nor a parking pass or fees.
However, it is strongly recommended to contact the Ministry of interior before going to the some of the regions of the mountain that has been affected by the clashes in the 2001. The mountain is mostly safe now, but there is still a need for precaution.
The visitor can utilize the opportunity to climb the mountain during the organized climbings that occurs every year, when no special permits are required.
When To Climb
The best time to climb the mountain is from may through the september. There is a lot of snow during the winter.
Each year several organized climbings took place on the mountain.However, the tourist interested to join these climbings should get an information whether the event will be organized for sure. The most important ones are:
25 may - climbing on the peak of
Titov vrv (organized by the Association of mountain sports of Macedonia)
11 october - the climbing on the
Ljuboten peak (organized by the Ljuboten mountain association from Tetovo)
2 august - visit of the
Leshnica valley
Accomodation
•
Hotels in Popova Shapka
•
Smreka mountain hut - located in the Popova Shapka winter resort, probably the most comfortable hut in the mountain
•
Ljuboten mountain hut (1623 m) near the peak of Ljuboten. - around 30 beds, a kitchen, more information can be obtained in the village of
Vratnica.
•
Tri vodi mountain hut, near the village of
Tearce.
•
Sharski vodi mountain hut , near the village of
Gorno Jelovce
Routes
•
Ski-center Popova Shapka – Titov vrv Peak (4 hours)
•
Ski-center Popova Shapka – Hut “Jelak” (1 hours) - peak of Ceripashino (3-4 h) - Titov vrv (7-8 h)
•
Hut Jelak – the valley of Leshnica (3 - 4 hours)
•
Village of Vratnica – Hut “Ljuboten” (4 hours) – Ljuboten Peak (6 hours)
•
Leshnica - the springs of Pena river (4 h) - Dzini beg peak (5 h) - Turchin and Titov vrv peaks (8 h)
Sunrise at Popova Sapka
Maps
MegasAlexandros - Mar 29, 2008 5:27 pm - Voted 10/10
Security on ŠarThe security issue seems a bit ambigous; the border police asured me that everything was fine but at the same time heavily armed police officers were patrolling which doesn't quite make sense. What is certain is that mine fields are (or were) present on Šar in the area of Kobilica so perhaps it might be wise to be a little cautious.