Like a gigantic wall, the huge Dinaric Mountains and the adjacent mountains to the south, such as the Sharr Mountains, the Korab & Deshat Mountains, the Jablanica Mountains and the Galichica Mountains, stretch along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea from Slovenia to Greece. Mountains that are still in a slumber, especially in the countries of the Western Balkans. Just the right place for our trekking trip.

Character: Guided explorer trekking tour on lonely paths along the award winning High Scardus Trail

Country: Kosovo, Northern Macedonia & Albania

Level: ●●●○○

Impact: Maintenance of the hiking trails on the High Scardus Trail

Tour guide: IVBV mountain & ski guide and Balkan expert Stefan Lieb-Lind

Included services: among others overnight stays in guesthouses & mountain huts with full board, luggage service, shuttle services & German-speaking tour guide

Character of the journey

The new star in the trekking sky begins in the Kosovar mountain village of Gornje Lubinje, where you will spend the night in a lovingly run guesthouse. Three lonely stages on the High Scardus Trail will bring you back to Kosovo via northern Macedonia, more precisely to Brod – simple mountain huts or guesthouses offer you shelter in this almost undeveloped tourist area. From Brod you will be taken to the town of Prizren at the foot of the Šar Planina.

Highlights of the journey

Travel itinerary*

*small program changes reserved

Included services

Price: € 1.578,- p. p.

Small group from min. 6 persons to max. 10 persons

Meet our High Scardus Trail pioneers who will accompany you on your Explorer Tour of the High Scardus Trail and provide you with many insights into the region, culture and the exciting project of the High Scardus Trail:

High Scardus hosts,
lived hospitality

The mountain region along the High Scardus Trail was virtually undeveloped for tourism until a few years ago. It is thanks to the vision and motivation of some local enthusiasts that something great is emerging in this so remote region. The owners of the …

Trail Angels tries to live up to its responsibility as a tour operator for the travel of the future. By opening up breathtaking experiences with handpicked tours and with participation in regional projects and measures for climate protection, we want to trigger the greatest possible impact for a change for the better in the destinations. You can find out more about the Trail Angels’ signature tours here.

And that’s how we frame our responsibilities on the High Scardus Trail:

3. Climate protection

Climate-neutral design

For us it is natural to compensate or neutralize the greenhouse gas emissions for their travel. This is why we are an official partner of Atmosfair®.

No, this is not a white spot on your glasses when you look at a map of Europe. This spot is located on the map, in the middle of the border mountains between the countries of Kosovo, Northern Macedonia and Albania. The isolation of Albania, as well as the Yugoslav war, made tourist development of these mountains, so remote, impossible until 25 years ago. But also in the last 25 years the development in the mountain regions of the Western Balkans was very slow: the local people – often farmers and shepherds – had no relation to mountain sports and mountain tourism. Thus, these mountains have preserved a pristine and unspoiled nature that is probably unparalleled in Europe – which is why there are now 5 national parks and a nature park along the trail. Only in the last 5 years tourists from other countries slowly discover this treasure and travel the three countries exactly because of the incredible authenticity and hospitality – so seep nice slowly enthusiastic travel reports about these countries. In any case, the tourist potential of the region is huge! Who does not believe this and doubts the scenic beauty, need only look at the photos here.

Here, bear and wolf say good night to each other. The shepherds have adapted to this and have the flocks of sheep guarded by extremely vigilant and well-mannered Sharri Dogs. Just as it was 100 years ago ©Matthew Nelson/Trail Angels

As tempting as that sounds, of course, for adventurous and discovery-loving outdoor enthusiasts to travel to regions that are not developed for tourism, life in the very remote mountain villages is arduous. Future prospects for locals are often poor and so many decide to move to the nearest town or even leave the country.

So why not combine the two? In other words, use the region’s unspoiled nature and authenticity to develop the region in a very careful and sustainable way, thus giving outdoor lovers an unforgettable trekking vacation while providing additional income to the locals? This is exactly the goal set by the High Scardus Trail and the organizations behind the long-distance trail – these organizations include the Society for International Cooperation and local experts, as well as us as Trail Angels.

So little can be so much. For the High Scardus Trail and also for us as Trail Angels, it is important to develop tourism as gently and as close to nature as possible ©Trail Angels

The High Scardus Trail is brand new and therefore only at the beginning of its journey. Even though much has already been done, there is still much to be done. But one thing is for sure: you will be amazed by the scenic beauty, the unspoiled nature and the hospitality. Get to know life there exactly as it is. To be there as a traveler and not as a tourist. The beauty and the potential have recently been recognized by international experts, as it was chosen as the “Best European Tourism Project 2022” at the “International Tourism Awards” in London in November 2022. This is something we as Trail Angels are very proud of, having played a central role in the development of the High Scardus Trail into a premium long-distance hiking trail in Europe. And it motivates us a lot to continue our work and show enthusiasts like you this treasure. And at the same time to promote a careful development of the peripheral mountain regions without losing its authenticity.

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