5-Day Hiking Adventure: Trek 100 Kilometers Around Jablanica Mountain

The Kajak.mk team constantly says that 2021 will be the year of a new era in tourism. We are happy to inform you that interest among Macedonian tourists in searching for trips and private accommodations on our travel platform is growing, and even more gratifying is that our travel tips continue to be widely read. In 2021, we will grow even more. We will expand our horizons and start offering travel advice beyond Macedonia, focusing first on accommodations and attractions in neighboring Greece.

A big highlight will be the HIGHLANDER team, who will lead a 5-day, 100-kilometer hiking tour, giving you the chance to see all the beautiful sights of Macedonia.

The Past Year Brought Deep and Important Changes

The year that is ending has brought profound and significant changes, deeply affecting each of our lives. Alongside the challenging circumstances, 2020 inspired a renewed appreciation for true values and the importance of intangible, universal goods: fresh, clean air; the warmth of the sun; the scent of trees and the earth beneath our feet. This year taught us to cherish Mother Nature and her priceless gifts. Increasingly, more of us have discovered new hobbies and found peace in the mountains.

In this period of seeking new beginnings, Macedonia joined the global HIGHLANDER family. In partnership with Camp SKAUT from Struga, in September 2021, Macedonia will host an unforgettable adventure — “HIGHLANDER Ohrid Lake 2021.”

HIGHLANDER Ohrid Lake is a 100 km hiking and adventure challenge on the Jablanica Mountain, lasting 5 days and leading you through the untouched natural beauty of southwestern Macedonia. In just five days, you will experience Jablanica’s pristine nature, breathtaking landscapes, four peaks overlooking Europe’s oldest lake — Ohrid Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site — and four glacial lakes whose beauty must be seen to be believed. This adventure doesn’t require you to be an experienced hiker, but it does require good physical fitness and, most importantly, a love for nature.

Throughout 2021, HIGHLANDER will organize adventures in 15 countries worldwide. Which one will you choose? The options include Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Greece, Portugal, Austria, Egypt, Spain, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

HIGHLANDER is for Everyone — from professional hikers to nature lovers and adventure seekers. The safe and easy mountain trail requires minimal hiking experience and good physical fitness. We recommend preparing yourself well before participating.

Let’s be honest — HIGHLANDER is not just an ordinary walk in the park!

To fully enjoy the event, we suggest a conditioning program starting several months before it begins. (Our recommendation is to hike a total of 200 km in the months leading up to the event.) The gear you plan to bring must be thoroughly checked and tested beforehand.

On Jablanica, you can feel the influence of warm and humid air masses from the Adriatic Sea, which here collide with continental air currents from the east. Perhaps that’s why, no matter how clear the sky is in this part of Macedonia, clouds constantly form over the highest parts of Jablanica. We can expect varying weather conditions, so be prepared for all seasons.

The most important thing is for every participant to get used to carrying a heavy backpack (start with a weight of 5 to 7 kg, then gradually work your way up to carrying 15 to 17 kg). Make sure your hiking boots are well broken-in before the event begins.

Learn about ultralight backpack packing techniques for hiking, including how to pack efficiently and how to walk with the pack. Your backpack should contain only the essentials. Choose natural materials as much as possible. Merino wool is excellent (especially for base layers) because it dries quickly, doesn’t retain odors, and has antifungal properties.

A fully packed backpack, excluding food and water, should not weigh more than 17 kg. The lighter, the better!