Winter in Kosovo: Hiking in the Šar Mountains

When visiting Kosovo during the winter months, one of the top activities worth pursuing is hiking in the Šar Mountains. You will find this mountain range in the Balkans, extending from the Southern tip of Kosovo to Northeastern Albania along the Republic of Macedonia. The range offers an imposing appearance, giving the mountains a dominant position along the Balkan Peninsula. The range features numerous peaks towering as high as 2,500 m and rising up within the Kosovo Valley.

Most hiking excursions begin in the Šar Mountains National Park, which spreads out across the northern slopes. This is one of the largest areas of biodiversity in the Balkans, serving as a habitat for 20 naturally rare endemic species. Northwest along the range, you will find the ski resort at Brezovica (below). The climate, the characteristics of the snow cover, and the slopes make this one of the most well-known Alpine ski resorts in Kosovo and around Serbia. The ski resort is approximately 2,500 m above sea level and features 11 chair lifts with the ability to transport 10,000 skiers every hour.

During the Winter, you will find opportunities for leisure walks, hiking, medicinal plant picking, and other excursions. You can explore the range’s glacial mountain lakes, mountain brooks, streams, and wildlife as you hike this vast mountain range.