Albania - Maja e Korabit

Introduction :

Maja e Korabit lies on the border with North Macedonia where the mountain is known as Golem Korab (Голем Кораб).

Mount Korab from the Albanian side. © Ricardo Hernani

On gaining independence from Yugoslavia, Macedonian security forces found themselves attacked by the ethnic Albanian National Liberation Army (NLA). The conflict lasted much of 2001, and as a result, the border region was mined. One of the mined zones includes areas around Korab. Whilst there were no formal restrictions on climbing the mountain on the Albanian side, a permit from the Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affair was required to climb from their side.

The Albanian side was officially declared mine free in 2009. Hikers climbing from the Albanian village of Radomira encounter no mine warnings or restrictions. Where previously you may have had to rely on a local guide as there were neither maps nor way markings, in the years since 2009, the route has become waymarked, and now appears on maps. Accommodation has been built for the many hikers who attempt the summit each year.

Following the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece in June 2018, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, aka Republic of Macedonia, changed its name the Republic of North Macedonia. For many years those ascending from this side had acquire a permit from the Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affair or join the annual, international climb in early September organized by the Macedonian club PSD "Korab". However the red tape has since been cut as relations between the two nations have improved. Whilst he established, standard paths have been thoroughly cleared and are completely safe, registration is still required from a local police station / checkpoint within the Mavrovo National Park. Take ID, and start from trailhead at Strezimir.

Mount Korab on the ascent. © Ricardo Hernani