Jakupica massif covers the heart of North Macedonia with an area of 1500 km2, and spreads in longitude and latitude in 50 by 50 km. The mountain has a glacial past that can been seen in many cirques, few glacial lakes and deep narrow valleys carved by fast mountain creeks. Thus the massif has a rare esthetic beauty when looked from above – either by plane or in a map – it resembles a starfish – five tentacles emerging from a central body (head).
These hikes will take into Jakupica and Dautica mountains on the south, sunny side, and up to Solunska Glava peak – the most prominent and the highest peak in the Central Macedonian Massif. The mountains are rich with flora and fauna typical for sub-alpine regions, pastures and torrents, where many water springs spread all over the mountain offering the cleanest water for drinking and refreshment thus the alternate name of the mountain – Mokra Planina (Wet Mountain).
DAY 1: To the foothill of Jakupica
Hike from Papradishte village (983m) to mountain hut Cheples (1.407m) takes 3 hours (7,5km). Please plan to arrive in Papradishte by 15:00h the latest so you can hike during daylight. As you begin this hiking tour following jeep roads in the heart of beech-wood forests you will notice that the area around the village is surrounded by many wild fern fields – dried fern was the ideal building material used by the first settlers to cover their roof tops. Thus the name of the village – Papradishte (Fernville). It is an indescribable pleasure to stay in this area no matter if its winter or summer. Especially in summer you can find many wild berries, tea herbs and the delicious mushroom “morchella” on your way to mountain hut Cheples. Overnight in the mountain hut.
Hike: 6,6 km / 622m D+, 202m D-
DAY 2: Solunska Glava Peak
The first stop on this hike is Dolna Babina Rupa – a beautiful spot at the edge of the forest at 1.680m with a natural water spring. As you are getting close to it, among the centuries old pine and beech-wood tree tops a massive eastern rock face with heights from 500-1000m is looming in the distance with the peak Solunska Glava – making it look like the head on a huge body (the rock face) that hugs with its hands Babuna river valley. As you continue hiking up, the forest is gradually replaced with shrub vegetation and pastures, you will pass by the upper rock amphitheater Gorna Babina Rupa and start hiking close by the rock face – stay at safe distance here! As you get near the summit Solunska Glava you will reveal a small military base at its peak – soldiers here may be very friendly and may offer you some tea and a pleasant conversation, but note that no one is allowed to enter inside the base under any circumstances, even bad weather or storm. The return way is by the same path to mountain hut “Ceples” in 3 hours. Overnight in mountain hut Cheples.
Hike: 14,8 km / 1.260m D+, 1.260m D-
Day 3: River Babuna springs and waterfall
As you walk from Cheples to Nezhilovo village, on half-way down there is a special spot where magnificent Solunska Glava peak appears again and its mighty Nezilovi Spili rock face, looming above your head reflecting golden sunshine. And finally deep into the forest, following a narrow well-marked trail, Babuna river roam can be heard but with a surprise: there is a small but picturesque waterfall few hundred meters before the springs - stealing the glory of the locale. Refresh yourself, fill all your bottles with water and get ready for a walk down by a jeep road to Nezhilovo village where you can finish the day in the local fish restaurant by Babuna river.
Hike: 13,6km / 698m D+, 1.418m D-
149 € + 60 € local supplement / per person
Price is valid for min 2 participants sharing double room
INCLUDED IN PRICE:
- Transfer from Bogomila train station to Papradishte village on Day 1
- Transfer from Nezhilovo fishpond to Bogomila train station on Day 3
- Accommodation: 2 nights in mountain hut Cheples / private rooms/ based on 2 participants sharing double room
- Detailed hiking visual route descriptions and maps
- Mobile app with uploaded tracks with visual descriptions and locator
- Local safety information and contacts
- Complimentary copy of Bradt Travel Guide - North Macedonia
- Stand-by support (cell phone and contact person)
- Organization and logistic by Macedonia Travel
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:
OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS:
- Supplement for single room accommodation: 7 €
- Supplement for full board (2 x breakfast, 1 x lunchbox, 2 x dinner): 62 € / per person. Vegetarian and vegan meals available on request
- Private arrival / departure transfers from / to Skopje available on request
- Extra night before or after the tour
- In village Nezhilovo: hotel 1*, private rooms: from 15 € / per person sharing double room. Single supplement: 10 €
- In Cheples mountain hut: private rooms: from 15 €/ per person sharing double room. Single supplement: 10 €.
- In Papradishte village: mountain hut (shared facilities): from 15 €/ per person
- In Bogomila: hostel: from 15 € / per person sharing double room. Single supplement: 10 €
- In village guesthouse in Omorane: from 20 € / per person sharing double room; Single supplement from 12 € - Rent of Global Positioning System (GPS) console: 45 €
By train & car transfer / walk from Skopje:
Trains start from
Skopje Railway Station to village
Bogomila train station, which is on 9km (20min) drive from village Papradishte, and 9km (20min) drive from village Nezhilovo. Transfers from Bogomila train station to village Papradishte and from village Nezhilovo to Bogomila train station are included in the price.
Taxi / private transfer from Skopje:
Available on request.
