Korab

The trail

Country: Republic of North Macedonia
Area name: Korab mountain
Activity: MTB
Date of the ride: 14-Aug-2011
Length (km): 33.3
Elevation gain (m): 1460
Technical difficulty: ●●●●
GPS tracklog: download

Overview of mountain biking route:

MTB route Korab is situated in National Park Mavrovo in Macedonia. Golem Korab (Albanian: Maja e Korabit) peak is situated on Korab mountain just at the border line between Macedonia and Albania. Golem Korab is the highest elevation point of both countries at 2764 meters over the sea level. The ascent section of the route is placed on very steep carriageway and singletrack. Count to hike with the bike at least 50% of total ascent section. The trail is dry and rocky. Due to many unlabeled junctions the GPS unit with the uploaded route is a must for fast and safe navigation. The attached GPS tracklog includes the waypoints of the springs of the water.

Getting there: Europe, The Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje, Mavrovo. At the labeled junction on the paved road Mavrovo – Debar turn right and proceed on the unpaved road along Radika river canyon to police hut Pobeda. The starting point is near police hut Pobeda.

Map of mountain biking route:

Description of MTB route:

The starting point of MTB mountain bike route is in National Park Mavrovo near police hut Pobeda. From the hut proceed to the south west course on the steep and rocky carriageway. Follow the provided GPS tracklog. In few turns the carriageway leads to the section out of forest. Pass near the shepherds’ hut and proceed on the carriageway to the south course. The carriageway crosses with few streams and in the neighborhood there are few springs of the water. At elevation of 1800meters follows the descent to 1700meters and than the carriageway leads to the next shepherds hut. Pass near the hut and proceed to ascend on the carriageway. The carriageway ends near the ruins of the military hut. Proceed on the hard visible and very rocky singletrack to north west course. After few kilometers the singletrack crosses with the labeled hiking trail coming from police hut Pobeda. Proceed on the labeled hiking trail to Golem Korab peak. The peak is situated on the border line between Macedonia and Albania. From the peak I rode back to police hut Pobeda on the same trail. For more details check above interactive Map and below Video, Gallery & Notes of the route.

Elevation profile of MTB route:

Elevation profile of MTB route on Korab mountain

Video – Downhill section from Korab peak to Pobeda Hut:

Notes & references:

Best time for ride: August, September.

Due to many unlabeled junctions the GPS unit with the uploaded route is a must for fast and safe navigation. The most of the sections of my route are not placed on the labeled hiking trail (Pobeda – Korab). I avoided downhill ride on the labeled hiking trail because there were many hikers on the trail. Due to much steeper ascent the labeled hiking trail is not suitable for the ride in direction from Pobeda to Golem Korab. Take the passport.

Gallery of mountain biking route: