Korab
2,764 m
Albania, North Macedonia
Also known as Голем Кораб, Velký Korab, +10Also known as
Голем Кораб · Velký Korab · Όρος Κοράμπ · Mount Korab · Monte Korab · mont Korab · კორაბი · Golem Korab · Munții Korab · Кораб · Veľký Korab · Maja e Korabit
- Elevation
- 2,764 m
- Prominence
- 2,169 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: T3 (Loose, pebbly ridge path; some trip reports)
The shortest way up the highest peak of both North Macedonia and Albania: a marked path of about 8 km and 1,260–1,350 m of ascent from the border-police post at Strezimir in Mavrovo National Park, through forest and high pastures past the Nistrovo shepherds' huts to the border ridge and the summit. 4–5 hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 8.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,366 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,764 m
- Time Up
- 5h 44m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 59m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Mavrovi Anovi drive towards Debar, turn right (north) at the bridge and continue about 12 km, the last part on a rough gravel road best tackled with a high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle, to the border-police settlement at Strezimir and the 'Pobeda' border watchtower, where most people park. In winter, or if the upper road is impassable, start about 2 km lower at the valley junction. Carry your passport: the route lies in the border zone and hikers are expected to register with, or at least show ID to, the border police. The red-and-white marked path climbs through forest to a spring at about 1.7 km, the last reliable water, then over open pastures to the Nistrovo Bačilo shepherds' huts. Above, the climb steepens onto a ridge where the path is slippery with small pebbles, then crosses the broad, peak-studded saddle below Korab; at about 4.5 km it dips briefly and the summit comes into view. The final climb begins at about 6 km and follows the border ridge to the top, where the frontier with Albania runs through the summit. About 4½ hours up for most parties (3–6 hours quoted). Descend the same way in 2–4 hours. There is little shade above the forest and no mobile signal on most of the route; local guidance is to start by 08:00 and turn back if not on top by 13:00. Do not follow other people's tracks off the marked line: the slopes below the ridge are steep and crumbling. A traditional mass ascent is organised from this side around 8 September, North Macedonia's Independence Day.
Start
Strezimir1,447 m
- None to Strezimir. Buses run from Skopje to Mavrovi Anovi and Debar; a car (ideally high-clearance) or arranged transport is needed for the last 12 km.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strezimir → Korab | 8.7 | 1,366 | 49 | 5h 44m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Strezimir1,447 m
Elevation derived from published ascent figures; coordinates are those of the Strezimir settlement
- Summit: Korab2,764 m
Key Passages
- Pebbly ridge above Nistrovo Bačilo
- Final border ridge to the summit
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 65%Overview
The highest point of both Albania and North Macedonia (2,764 m), on the border ridge between the Radika valley and the Black Drin. A long but straightforward walk on marked paths from either country, through remote pastures with almost no infrastructure.
Korab (Maja e Korabit in Albanian, Golem Korab in Macedonian, 'Great Korab') is the highest summit of a 40 km long range running north–south near the tripoint of Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo, south-west of the Šar Mountains. The frontier runs over the summit, making it, with Mont Blanc, one of only two European peaks that are the high point of two countries. The western side drops in rock walls into Albania; the south-east side, where the walking routes go, rises over rock bands and high meadows grazed by shepherds' flocks. Korab II, a twin top about 150 m north-west, is only slightly lower, and several other tops in the range exceed 2,700 m.
The Macedonian side lies in Mavrovo National Park and the Albanian side in the Korab-Koritnik Nature Park. The usual approaches are from the border-police post at Strezimir in North Macedonia (about 8 km and 1,300 m of ascent one way) and from the village of Radomirë above Peshkopi in Albania (slightly longer, with more ascent). Both are marked and technically easy in summer, but long, exposed to wind and storms, and short of water.
The area was a closed border zone for decades and still feels remote: roads to both trailheads end on rough gravel, there are no huts, and there is no mobile signal on much of the Macedonian route. In return Korab offers huge views over the Balkans and very few people outside the traditional September mass ascent.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for 1,300–1,600 m of ascent and a 7–10 hour day is the main requirement; the paths are T2–T3 with no scrambling in summer. Carry all the water you need from the last spring, a map or GPS track, and warm, windproof clothing: the summit ridge is exposed and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Start early (by 07:00–08:00) and set a turnaround time.
Take your passport on both sides. From North Macedonia you pass the border-police post at Strezimir and should expect to register or show ID; from Albania no permit is needed, but checks near the crest are possible. A high-clearance vehicle is strongly advised for both approach roads. Local guides are available in Radomirë and through Macedonian mountaineering clubs; in winter the Macedonian guidance is to go only with a certified guide or club. Snow lies above about 1,800 m into May and returns in October or November.
History
The summit appears on the national emblem of North Macedonia. For many years the border area was closed, and access from the Macedonian side was limited to an organised annual climb in early September; the traditional group ascent around 8 September (Independence Day) continues. Today the mountain can be climbed year-round from both sides. No reliable record of a first ascent was found; shepherds have grazed the upper slopes for centuries.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Deep snow; remote winter mountaineering only, with a guide or club
- Feb
- Winter conditions; avalanche risk
- Mar
- Winter; ski-touring on the north-west side for experienced parties
- Apr
- Snow cover; access roads muddy or blocked
- May
- Snow above about 1,800 m; crampons may be needed
- Jun
- Late snow patches; flowers in the pastures
- Jul
- Best conditions; hot at lower levels, carry plenty of water
- Aug
- Stable weather; afternoon thunderstorms
- Sep
- Traditional group ascent around 8 September from North Macedonia
- Oct
- Cooler and clear; first snow possible late in the month
- Nov
- Early winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Permits
- Border-zone registration (North Macedonia)Required
The Macedonian approach crosses the border zone. Sources differ: some say a special permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs is formally required, others that hikers simply register with or show a passport to the border police at Strezimir. Carry your passport and check with Mavrovo National Park or a local club before going.
- Fees
- Mavrovo National Park entrance fee on the Macedonian side (a small fee; 30–50 MKD quoted for the organised September event)
- Guides from Radomirë quoted at EUR 40–80
- Rules
- Border zone between Albania and North Macedonia: carry a passport on both sides; police checks are possible
- Mavrovo National Park (North Macedonia) and Korab-Koritnik Nature Park (Albania) regulations apply
- Getting There
Mavrovi Anovi and Gostivar (North Macedonia); Peshkopi (Albania)
Skopje International Airport (SKP); Tirana International Airport (TIA)
- North Macedonia: from Skopje via Gostivar to Mavrovi Anovi, towards Debar, then right at the bridge for about 12 km on a partly rough gravel road to Strezimir (high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle recommended)
- Albania: from Tirana to Peshkopi (about 3 hours), then about 35 km to Radomirë, the last section on an unpaved mountain road; minibus Tirana–Peshkopi and taxi onwards
- No public transport to either trailhead
Hazards
- Weather
- Remoteness
- Avalanche