Ski Adventure Serbia and Kosovo
In the center of the Balkans, a ski adventure Serbia and Kosovo awaits you. A crazy journey to two regions that have a love-hate relationship with each other. The trip begins in Skopje, the capital of northern Macedonia. In Serbia, we ski at the large Kopaonik ski resort.
Peaks of the Balkans Winter (Kosovo, Montenegro & Albania)
Discover Peaks of the Balkans, the cross-border route through Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania, on touring skis or a splitboard! Originally designed as a hiking trail to promote local tourism and bring regions closer together, all across national borders. Majestic mountains, deep powder, and delightful Balkan hospitality make this journey an unforgettable experience.
Rugova Canyon
Rugova Canyon is located about three kilometers outside Peja, in western Kosovo. The gorge is located at the foot of Prokletije, the “Cursed Mountains” (also called the Albanian Alps). It is one of the longest and deepest canyons in all of Europe. We will explore this impressive canyon along the ropes, bridges and ladders of the Rugova Canyon Via Ferrata, the most impressive and only via ferrata in Kosovo. Adventurers, beware!
In short
- Coordinates; 42°41′32″N 20°10′07″E
- 25 km long and 1000 m deep
- Created by water erosion from the retreating Peć Glacier
- Main cave: the Gryka e Madhe (or Great Canyon Cave)
In the long
Rugova Canyon is located in the Rugova region of the same name. According to tradition, the region has been inhabited since the 12th century. In 2013, the Kosovo Parliament appointed the region a national park, and the Rugova Canyon received the status of monumental natural heritage as early as 1985. The region consists mostly of forest land and alpine pasture (15% is high mountains). The mountains have an average slope of 15 to 30°, but there are also slopes of + 45°. The highest peak is called Hajla and reaches 2403 meters.
The plan in Rugova Canyon
We first visit the Patriarchate Monastery at the base of the Canyon. The Serbian Orthodox monastery dates back to the 13th century and was founded by Saint Sava of Serbia. It is very peaceful and quiet here. Only a cautiously shuffling nun suggests that we are not at the end of the inhabited world here.
After visiting the monastery, we will continue into the mountains, where we will explore the ravine through a via ferrata. This will be a stretching exercise for the practiced climber, but a bit exciting for the rookie. We get a helmet, climbing harness and muskets and begin a tangle of steel ladders, suspension bridges and impressive views of the jagged rock walls of Rugova Canyon. Far below us, flows the Peć Bistrica Bistrica e Pejës or Lumbardhi i Pejës in Albanian, (Пећка Бистрица in Serbian). After about an hour, we are back on the ground safe and sound.
Finally, another fact for the collection: Rugova is also a traditional Albanian sword dance, named after the Rugova region. Here is a video (footage found in the caverns of Youtube, quite impressive).