Hiking Trails

Austria - Grossglockner 3.798 m, National park Hohe Tauern

The “black mountain” rises 3,798 m above a sea of three hundred 3,000 m peaks surrounding it. The view from its summit falls on the high alpine scenery all around, which was shaped millions of years ago by elemental forces and hasn’t stopped since. Legend has it that a pitch-black crystal that concentrates the mountain’s energy – alluring, awe-inspiring and therapeutic at the same time – is hidden inside the Glockner. The greenstone core is surrounded by a mantle of schistous rock that gives the Glockner its black colour. The Grossglockner is upstream to the south of the main chain of the Alps located in the heart of Europe. Moreover, it is the centre of Austria’s largest national park and bears the weight of 180 km² of glacial ice on its shoulders.

Photo gallery from Mt. Grossglockner

Ostatné (možno pre niekoho dôležité) informácie:
* Na vrchol ide z chaty veľké množstvo turistov, na viacerých úsekoch sa čaká. Sprievodcovia nie sú zbytočne tolerantní k turistom a často sa predbiehajú. (Nám dokonca jeden z nich na drzovku zrušil istenie...)
* Web stránka s informáciami o horských chatách: http://www.alpenverein.at/huettenHome/DE/index.php?navid=9

Bulgaria - Musala 2.925 m, national park Rila

The great Rila Mountains are probably the most famous alpine range in Bulgaria. Not only because of their beauty and scale – they are the highest in the country and on the Balkan Peninsula – but also because of their special charm, fed by legends and stories about them. These start with the Tracian origins of the mountain’s name (Rila – well-watered mountain), following are the stories about the first ascent of the peak point of Musala by Philip of Macedon during 2nd century BC – an expedition that took 7 days. Also the unclear theories about the appearance of the name “Musala” – it is considered that the name of the highest peak of the mountains comes from Arabic and means “Close to God”.

If you want reach the summit, the best starting point is the ski resort of Borovets.

Photo gallery - Musala

Croatia - Sinjal (Dinara) 1.831 m 

Sinjal is the highest peak in Croatia and is located in Dinara mountains on the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia (Dinaric Alps). Its massif, 20 km long and almost 10 km wide, ascends as natural boundary wall between Dalmatia and Bosnia and separates like a wall two different worlds: mediterranean and continental. Its amazing several hundreds meters high southwest wall by its size attracts glances of everyone who finds himself at the foothill. Especial beauty at the same time provide abundant flowery meadows and forests. Climbing to the top of Dinara demands good shape because approaches are long, steep and difficult. Croatian mountaineering association with mountaineering clubs in Knin and Kijevo organizes every year collective ascent to its top.

The top can be reached from the village Glavaš. This ascent takes 4-5 hours. Above the village Glavaš there is an old picturesque tower, and at half way to the top hiking shelter Martinova košara is situated, arranged in former shepherd summer cottage. Since there are no water sources along the path, and it is exposed to the sunshine, one has to carry plentiful of water.

Photo gallery from Sinjal

More informations:
* Informations in enlish language: http://www.hps.hr/english/dinara/
* We recommend accommodation in Knin town. Distance to Glavaš is about 32 km.

Finland - Halti 1.328, Lappland

There are several mountain peaks in this area, the highest of which is on the Norwegian side. It is called Ráisduottarháldi, which is a Sami name, and rises to a height of 1,361 m above sea. Finland’s highest peak, Halti, is situated nearby and reaches 1,328 m above sea level

Halti attracts a lot of hikers, being the highest in Finland, and the main hiking trail runs from Kilpisjarvi in Finland. This hike normally takes several days with overnight stays on huts along the way. A much shorter alternative, is to reach Halti from the Norwegian side (Birtavarre).

Hiking from Kilpisjärvi (in Finland) to Halti is also a popular option. This hike is 55 km long, of which part forms part of the Arctic Trail.

Photo gallery from Halti

More information:
* Camping in Birtavarre: http://eng.high-north.com/camp-birtavarre/
* Tourist information about Kilpisjärvi: http://www.nationalparks.fi/en/kilpisjarvivisitorcentre

Macedonia - Golem Korab 2.764m, national park Mavrovo

Mount Korab is the highest mountain of both Albania and Macedonia. Korab’s gigantic peaks form a frontier between the two countries. The Korab mountain is adjacent to the Sar Mountains /Sharr Mt/ and makes the most stunning and the most beautiful mountain relief in Macedonia which is part of the Mavrovo National Park.

Settled along the Macedonian west mountain flank, shared with Albania, is the 12 peak highest in Europe by country.

Photo gallery - Golem Korab

More informations:
* Great place to stay when preparing to ascent Golem Korab is Hotel Korab Trnica.
* As a start point is usualy used Pilana Pobeda, passing trough the border police settlement at Strezimir village.
* Ascent from Pilana Pobeda needs 4 1/2 hours. Total time 7-8 hours.
* There are 2 water sources at sheepfolds.
* In Macedonia, the tolls are levied according traveled sections of the toll gates. Toll fees are required to pay as drivers of motorcycles and cars, as well as truck drivers, trucks and buses. Compared with other countries in Macedonia not need to pay additional fees for passage of bridges and tunnels.
* Telefonický kontakt do informačnej kancelárie Mavrovo: +389 42 489 019
* ATM withdrawal limits in MKD - Usual limit by MK banks (Stopanska banka, NLB Tutunska banka, Komercijlnaa Banka, Halk Banka and more) is around 30.000 MKD or €500 daily.

Slovenia - Triglav 2.864 m, National park Triglav

Mount Triglav is the highest mountain of Julian Alps and is undoubtedly the best-known and most visited mountain in Slovenia. But despite the popularity, ascending to its summit is not for anyone!  

There are more options to ascent it. The most popular ascent starts at "Alžajev dom (1.015 m)"  through Tominsek route or Prag to "Triglavsky Dom (2.515 m)".  Najčasteším východiskom tejto túry je chata Alžajev dom (1.015 m) a z chaty po Tominšek-Weg alebo variantou cez Prag na chatu Triglavsky dom (2.515 m) and then through "Maly Triglav (2.739 m) to the summit. 

Photo Gallery - Triglav

More informations:
* Triglav is not only Slovenia's highest mountain but it is also a national symbol featured in their flag.
* Information Centre of National Park Triglav (Trenta Lodge): +386 (0) 5 38 89 388 
* Just below the summit there are 4 mountain huts, (Triglavski dom na Kredarici, Dom Valentina Stanica, Dom Planika and Koca na Dolicu).