Hiking in Kosovo

Hiking in Kosovo started with establishment of the first hiking association in 1928, and it continued with creation of different association all around the territory which was then part of Yugoslavia. After the Kosovo War a lot was done also by the support of the societies such as: HikingNjeri[1] which have worked hard to not only organize activities, but also to expose hiking to the general public via social media.

People hiking in Brezovica mountain

Hiking as an activity started in its true sense circa 1930, the year in which a group of friends climbed the Gjeravica mountain in Peć. This was the first time that a peak in Kosovo was climbed (there is no evidence of that). Even though people started to show interest shortly after, many mountains were near border areas and people needed special permission to visit them due to the political issue at the time.

That is the reason why people were able to actually become active hikers only after the war, especially in 2003-2005. The vast majority of the terrain of Kosovo is mountainous.[2]

Currently hiking and mountains have started to become an asset for tourism. One of the companies offering these services in Kosovo is the Balkan Natural Adventure . Additionally a big support to Kosovo hiking tourism was made by a German Development Agency program called The Peaks of the Balkans which goes through Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania.

Central mountains are not sufficiently hard to climb, yet they make a good hiking trail, their height goes from 800–1200 meters. The Mirusha river splits these mountains in two groups. The first one is located in the south-west of central mountains and includes the following: Millanoviq mountains, Gajrak, Zatriq, Bajrak and Gremnik.[3] The second group consists of Crnoljeva, Goleshi, Berisha, Kosmaqi, Drenica, Qyqavica mountains. Surrounding mountains are located near border areas. They are harder for hiking because of their steep trails and require a lot of experience and agility. Mountains that are in this group are: east ridge mountains of Albanian alps, Hasi mountains, Pashtriku peak, Sharr mountain, Kortnik, east mountains of Gallak, Kopaoniku and Rogozna.[4]

Hiking zones

Hasani peak

The preferred hiking zones are those providing at least a somewhat challenging set of trails, but also proximity to cities such as Prizren and Peć.[5] Even though Kosovo has many mountains that offer great trails for hiking, there are some that any hiker must visit because of their beauty and paths like: Sharr Gorge, mountains in Rugova Canyon and also Istog Gorge.[6] In many of these places it is possible to go by car but in some mountains like :"Đeravica", Mariashi, Roshkodoli, Žuti kamen, Milishefci and mountains in Belegu Gorge the only way to go is by off-road vehicle. "Sharr mountain" is known for its good region and good roads (passable by any vehicle) but that is not the case for Rugova and Deçan Gorge.

Hiking trails

The following is a list of some of the best and most secure hiking trails, a list compiled by several local and national hiking clubs.[7][8]

Name	Length	Region	Difficulty
Guri i Kuq	9.82 miles (15.80 km)	Pejë	Moderate
Brezovica	21.17 miles (34 km)	Ferizaj	Difficult
Drenaj	2.3 miles (3.7 km)	Pejë	Easy
Hajla	6.51 miles (10.47 km)	Pejë	Moderate
Gjeravica	12.83 miles (20.64 km)	Pejë	Moderate
Shatoricë	26.39 miles (42.47 km)	Leposaviq	Moderate

Hiking seasons

Close to Koritnik peak 2395 m

April to December is considered the most suitable time for hiking, as most passionate hikers are skiing during the cold winter months. However, with shorter ski seasons due to low snowfalls and the increasing popularity of hiking, a lot of hikers have begun to remain active during winter as well. Mountains in Kosovo are covered in snow from November to April that's why snowproof and waterproof boots are mandatory in the West due to the need for stream fording.[9] The mountains preferred for hiking during hot weather are: Đeravica, Hasi mountains, Šar Mountains outskirts, Gallak, Kopaoniku, Rogozna, Žuti kamen, Milishefci, Roshkodoli, Mariashi. As for the cold winter months, the preferred mountains are those that are lower in altitude and are less steep: Prevallë, Pashallore, Pashtriku, Brezovica, Brod outskirts, and Kortnik.

Types of hiking

Hikers in Kosovo speak of four kinds of hiking activities:[1]

• Trekking
• Rock climbing
• Dayhike (a hike that can be completed in a single day and does not require overnight camping)
• Backpacking (including camping one or more nights, also known as multi-day hiking)

Equipment and directions

The equipment required largely depends on the hiking activity and the nature of the trail. A basic kit must include water, a map, a backpack and a flashlight.[10] As for the outfit, one can wear anything but hiking boots are a must. Dangerous hiking circumstances include getting lost, hazardous terrain, animal attack and sickness. It is therefore also advisable to bring medications or first aid kit. One could quite easily get lost because not all trails in Kosovo are marked, which is why one needs to carry a magnetic pocket compass. Different hiking clubs in Kosovo have a list which includes items such as sunglasses, sunscreen, clothes, first aid kit, fire starter, knife and many other stuff to get you prepared as you can be.[11] The maps that are used are mostly GIS maps(Geographic information system). Also there are maps that were created by the "Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS)" with a scale of 1:25000 and 1:50000. Even though signs are rare, hikers are not so it is easy to get around by asking directions.[1]

People and hiking

Kosovo has a great potential for development of mountain tourism. The whole territory of Kosovo has more than 50% of mountain relief. People of all ages can go on hiking, although currently most hikers in Kosovo are aged between 30 and 60. The percentage of people that are interested in hiking, compared to the potential that Kosovo offers, is really low even though there is a big effort on raising that percentage.[1] Hiking in Kosovo can be very interesting and an unforgettable experience and many have written about it.[12] Hikers usually take a journal with them to keep track of different hiking trips.[13] Their journal usually contains how many kilometers they walked, how long did it take to arrive to the peak, the places they visited and notable things they saw during the hike.[6]

Rarities while hiking in Kosovo

While hiking in Kosovo one can run into different endangered species,[14] rare and poisonous plants.[15][16]

Lynx lynx

Some of these animals are:

• Eurasian lynx[17]
• Chamois[18]
• Brown bear[19]
• Buzzard[20]
• Wild boar[21]
• Western capercaillie[22]
• White stork[23]

As for the plants:

Amanita muscaria

• Amanita muscaria[24]
• Forsythia[25]
• Linum[26]
• Malus florentina[26]
• Prunus mahaleb[26]
• Salvia ringens[26]
• Gentiana lutea[27]

Clubs

In Kosovo there are more than 25 hiking clubs organizing different hiking events. The most known in Pristina are: "HikingNjeri[1]" and "SHBA Prishtina[28]" but still Prizren is known for the largest number of hiking societies. During the last years, hiking in Kosovo has gotten more and more support from different foreign organizations like:"USAID", "EU Commission" and "Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS)".[29] The best way to taste Kosovo's mountains and enjoy the stay there is to join one of these clubs for a small membership fee. The hikes are organized on weekends(almost every weekend) going from weekly ones with general attendance in some clubs to more rare but demanding hikes in others.[9]

Chronology of the establishment of hiking clubs

The society "Gjeravica" from Peć is the first society that was created in 1928. After the World War II many clubs were created in: Mitrovica, Gjakova, Ferizaj, Pristina and Prizren. In 1951 the first Hiking community was formed which later was called "Lidhja Bjeshkatare - Skitare e Kosovës". Except outdoor activities many clubs started publishing magazines and books for example "Gjeravica", which managed to publish 19 issues of the magazine "The Voice of Gjeravica".[28]

• 1928 (1928): Gjeravica, Peć
• 1948 (1948): Pashtriku, now Sharri, Prizren
• 1948 (1948): Gërmija, now Prishtina 1, Pristina
• 1948 (1948): Pashtriku, Đakovica
• 1928 (1928): Sharri, now Lyboteni, Uroševac
• 1948 (1948): Trepça, Kosovska Mitrovica (no longer exists)
• 1950 (1950): Cicavica, Vučitrn (no longer exists)
• 1967 (1967): Zheleznicar, now Kalaja, Kosovo Polje
• 2000 (2000): Eko, Prizren (no longer exists)
• 2000 (2000): Guri i zi, Dragaš
• 2000 (2000): Blinaja, Lipljan
• 2004 - Marimangat e Pejes
• 2004 (2004): Guri i shtrenjtë, Štimlje
• 2004 (2004): Shkëlzeni, Đakovica
• 2005 (2005): HikingNjeri, Pristina
• 2008 (2008): Dardania, Gnjilane
• 2009 (2009): The Hikers, Pristina

Nowadays many clubs have been more active, exploring new paths and new places. For example, "Sharri" club from Uroševac worked with GPS to mark and sign new paths and make the orientation much easier.[30]

References

1. http://www.hikingnjeri.com/english/Welcome.html
2. http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/kosovo-facts/
3. http://www.kosovotourismcenter.com/kiking.html
4. Islami, Arben (2013). Pure Kosovo, INIT productions, Prishtinë
5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-02-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
6. http://www.fbaku.org/index.php/sq/udherrefimet.html
7. http://www.wikiloc.com/trails/outdoor/kosovo
8. http://www.everytrail.com/browse.php?page=2&country=Kosovo&activity_id=5
9. http://www.newkosovareport.com/201004222184/Society/hiking-kosovo.html
10. The Mountaineers, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, (1997), ISBN 0898864275.
11. Çaplar, Alan (2011). Bazat e bjeshkatarisë, Blini-BK, Đakovica.
12. Wassel, Tod, 2011, The Mountains of Dragash/Dragaš, Kosovo: Hiking and Nature Tourism Guide, United Nations Development Programme
13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-02-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
14. Ministria e mjedisit dhe planifikimit hapësinor, 2010. Natyra, UNDP, Pristina
15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2013-02-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
16. Veselaj, Z, Sherifi, 2001, Llojet e rralla bimore dhe shtazore të Kosovës, Ekoklina & IMNMK, Prishtinë
17. Odden, John; Linnell, John D. C.; Andersen, Reidar (2006). "Diet of Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx, in the boreal forest of southeastern Norway: The relative importance of livestock and hares at low roe deer density". European Journal of Wildlife Research. 52 (4): 237. doi:10.1007/s10344-006-0052-4.
18. Macdonald, D.W.; Barrett , P. (1993). Mammals of Europe. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-09160-9.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
19. Bear Online Information System for Europe. Kora.ch. Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
20. Georges Cuvier, Edward Blyth, Robert Mudie, George Johnston, John Obadiah Westwood, William Benjamin Carpenter, The Animal Kingdom: Arranged After Its Organization, Forming a Natural History of Animals, and an Introduction to Comparative Anatomy, 1851, p. 171
21. Groves, C. (2008). Current views on the taxonomy and zoogeography of the genus Sus. pp. 15–29 in Albarella, U., Dobney, K, Ervynck, A. & Rowley-Conwy, P. Eds. (2008). Pigs and Humans: 10,000 Years of Interaction. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-920704-6
22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-08-23. Retrieved 2013-02-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
23. Mužinic, Jasmina; Rašajski, Javor (1992). "On Food and Feeding Habits in the White Stork, Ciconia c. ciconia, in the Central Balkans" (PDF). Ökologie der Vögel (Ecology of Birds). 14: 211–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21.
24. Wasson, R. Gordon. The Wondrous Mushroom: Mycolatry in Mesoamerica, pp43–44
25. Ferat REXHEPI & Elez KRASNIQI, 2004, http://hacquetia.zrc-sazu.si/vol3_pdf/HQ3-1_6.pdf
26. Krasniqi, E.A., Mala, Xh., Maxhuni, Q., Bajraktari, F., Hajdari, (2007), Stenoendemic species of Kosova's flora, 31st International Symposium on Vegetation in SE Europe,04-06 July 2007 Prishtina, Kosovo.
27. Millaku F (1999). Flora subalpike dhe alpike e Alpeve Shqiptare (Kosovë), Doctorate thesis, Prishtinë, Kosovë. Pp 90-91
28. http://www.fbaku.org/
29. http://www.mkrs-ks.org/?page=2,1
30. http://shbsharri.com/

Commercial sites

• Balkan Natural Adventure
• Experience Kosovol