First Macedonian Traverse

First Macedonian Traverse is hiking trail that runs from Ljuboten to Ohrid. In its features it is the longest hiking trail in Macedonia, and is probably one of the more difficult hiking trails of this type in Europe.
The trail is set in 1975 by a group of Macedonian mountaineers from Mountaineering club “ELEMA” from Skopje.

TRAVERSE passes across Western Macedonia through arrays of Shar Planina, Rudoka, Vratsa, Bistra, Stogovo through Karaorman to Ohrid, with a total length of 225 kilometers.

Characteristic of the first half of the track, while passing through Shar mountain massif, is relatively high altitude, the lowest point is 2,100 meters above sea level. Also track passes trough 5 mountain lakes, of total 15 Shar Mountain lakes that can be found at Shar mountain massif.

The second part of the track features with forest areas and fast mountain rivers which cascades down through the slopes forming countless waterfalls. Perhaps most interesting are the villages through which Traverse passes, Selce, Tresonce, Lararopole and Gari with an abundance of old Macedonian architecture specific to this part of the Balkans. Traverse final spot is town of Ohrid, with its numerous churches of the Byzantine period, and beautiful Ohrd Lake. For this city are bound first European university and the beginnings of Slavic literacy.
Accommodation on the last day of the traverse is at Scout camp in Ohrid.

Traverse will taka place in the period from 04th July till 12th July 2015. 
– Gathering of the participants at Mountain Hut “Ljuboten” on 03rd July 2015. Organizer will provide transportation from the capital Skopje to mountain Hut “Ljuboten” 
– Traverse starts the next day on the 04th July 2015 at 06.00 pm
– Entry fee for Traverse is 30 Euros per participant, and for those who want to wear their luggage with horses extra charge 80 Euros for the first five days to Mavrovo.
– Traverse Diary can be bought at the outset, for 5 Euros.
Traverse will be guided by licensed mountaineering guides.

Important:
Bring food for four days and full bivouac equipment. The trail is nearly 225 km, with an average elevation of 2200 meters above sea level in the first four days; therefore pay attention on the equipment, it must be complete but not too heavy. The total altitude variation that goes from start to end of the traverse is 6000 meters.
Please note that Daily hike is 7 to 9 hours effectively.

We hope that this extraordinary Traverse will provoke interest to join us this summer in exploring the mix of natural beauties and cultural and historical landmarks of Macedonia.

Registration on e-mail: transverzalec@t-home.mk
Face book profile page: https://www.facebook.com/transverzalec
contact person: Bozhinovski Mijalce