| Revision as of 12:39, 9 April 2013 editEvlekis (talk | contribs)30,289 edits →Chronology of the establishment of hiking clubs← Previous edit | Revision as of 11:29, 23 April 2013 edit undoBobrayner (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers53,708 edits Name fixesNext edit → | ||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| ] mountain]] | ] mountain]] | ||
| '''Hiking''' in ] is a fairly new ], which has gained popularity after the ]. The success of hiking in Kosovo is mostly attributed to the support from different hiking societies like: "HikingNjeri<ref name="HikingNjeri">http://www.hikingnjeri.com/english/Welcome.html</ref>" which have worked hard to not only organize different activities, but also to expose it to the general public via social media. |
'''Hiking''' in ] is a fairly new ], which has gained popularity after the ]. The success of hiking in ] is mostly attributed to the support from different hiking societies like: "HikingNjeri<ref name="HikingNjeri">http://www.hikingnjeri.com/english/Welcome.html</ref>" which have worked hard to not only organize different activities, but also to expose it to the general public via social media. | ||
| Hiking as an activity started in its true sense of work circa 1930, the year in which a group of friends climbed the "]" mountain in ].This was the first time that a peak in ] was climbed. Even though people started to show interest shortly after, many mountains were near border areas and people needed special permission to visit them due to the political issue at the time. That is the reason why people were able to actually become active hikers only after the war, especially in 2003-2005. | |||
| The vast majority of the ] terrain is mountainous.<ref>http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/kosovo-facts/</ref> Central mountains are not sufficiently hard to climb, yet they make a good hiking trail, their height goes from 800–1200 meters. The ] splits these mountains in two groups. The first one is located in the south-west of central mountains and includes the following: ] mountains, ], ], ] and ].<ref>http://www.kosovotourismcenter.com/kiking.html</ref> The second group consists of ], ]i, ], ], ], ] mountains. | |||
| Surrounding mountains are located near border areas. They are harder for hiking because of their steep trails and require a lot of experience and agility. Mountains that are in this group are: east ridge mountains of ], ], ] peak, ], ], east mountains of ], ]u and ].<ref>Islami, Arben (2013). ''Pure Kosovo'', INIT productions, ]</ref> | |||
| ==Hiking zones== | ==Hiking zones== | ||
| ]]] | ]]] | ||
| The preferred hiking zones are those providing at least a somewhat challenging set of trails, but also proximity to cities such as ] and Peć.<ref>http://endritstrail.blog.com/2012/06/16/hiking-around-peja-kosovo/</ref> |
The preferred hiking zones are those providing at least a somewhat challenging set of trails, but also proximity to cities such as ] and ].<ref>http://endritstrail.blog.com/2012/06/16/hiking-around-peja-kosovo/</ref> | ||
| Even though ] has many mountains that offer great trails for hiking, there are some that any hiker must visit because of their beauty and paths like: ], mountains in ] and also ].<ref name="DITARET" /> In many of these places it is possible to go by car but in some mountains like :"]", ]i, ]i, ], ]i and mountains in ] the only way to go is by ]. "]" is known for its good region and good roads (passable by any vehicle) but that is not the case for ] and ]. | |||
| ===Hiking trails=== | ===Hiking trails=== | ||
| Line 18: | Line 22: | ||
| ! Name !! Length !! Region !! Difficulty | ! Name !! Length !! Region !! Difficulty | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | ] || 9.82 miles (15.80 km) || ] || Moderate | | ] || 9.82 miles (15.80 km) || ] || Moderate | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | ] || 21.17 miles (34 km) || ] || Difficult | | ] || 21.17 miles (34 km) || ] || Difficult | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | ] || |
| ] || 2.3 miles (3.7 km) || ] || Easy | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | ] || |
| ] || 6.51 miles (10.47 km) || ] || Moderate | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| | ]|| |
| ] || 12.83 miles (20.64 km) || ] || Moderate | ||
| |- | |||
| | ]|| 26.39 miles (42.47 km) || ] || Moderate | |||
| |} | |} | ||
| ==Hiking seasons== | ==Hiking seasons== | ||
| ] 2395 m|left]] | ] 2395 m|left]] | ||
| April to December is considered the most suitable time for hiking, as most passionate hikers are skiing during the cold winter months. However, with shorter ski seasons due to low snowfalls and the increasing popularity of hiking, a lot of hikers have begun to remain active during winter as well. Mountains in ] are covered in snow from November to April that's why snow and water-proof boots are mandatory in the West due to the need for stream fording.<ref name="HikingSociety" /> |
April to December is considered the most suitable time for hiking, as most passionate hikers are skiing during the cold winter months. However, with shorter ski seasons due to low snowfalls and the increasing popularity of hiking, a lot of hikers have begun to remain active during winter as well. Mountains in ] are covered in snow from November to April that's why snow and water-proof boots are mandatory in the West due to the need for stream fording.<ref name="HikingSociety" /> | ||
| The mountains preferred for hiking during hot weather are: ], ], ] outskirts, ], ]u, ], ], ]i, ]i, ]. As for the cold winter months, the preferred mountains are those that are lower in altitude and are less steep: ], ], ], ], ] outskirts, and ]. | |||
| ==Types of hiking in Kosovo== | ==Types of hiking in Kosovo== | ||
| Line 86: | Line 93: | ||
| === Chronology of the establishment of hiking clubs === | === Chronology of the establishment of hiking clubs === | ||
| ⚫ | The society "Gjeravica" from ] is the first society that was created in 1928. After the ] many clubs were created in: ], ], ], ] and ]. In 1951 the first Hiking community was formed which later was called "Lidhja Bjeshkatare - Skitare e Kosovës". | ||
| ⚫ | Except outdoor activities many clubs started publishing magazines and books for example |
||
| Event names provded as in Albanian per promotion:<br> | |||
| ⚫ | The society "Gjeravica" from ] is the first society that was created in 1928. After the ] many clubs were created in: ], ], ], ] and ]. In 1951 the first Hiking community was formed which later was called "Lidhja Bjeshkatare - Skitare e ]". | ||
| ⚫ | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1928}} |event= Gjeravica |location= ] }} | ||
| ⚫ | Except outdoor activities many clubs started publishing magazines and books for example "Gjeravica", which managed to publish 19 issues of the magazine "The Voice of Gjeravica".<ref name="FBAKU" /> | ||
| ⚫ | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1928}} |event= Gjeravica |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Pashtriku, now Sharri |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Pashtriku, now Sharri |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Gërmija, now Prishtina 1 |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Gërmija, now Prishtina 1 |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Pashtriku |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Pashtriku |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1928}} |event= Sharri, now Lyboteni |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1928}} |event= Sharri, now Lyboteni |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Trepça |location= ] }} (no longer exists) | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1948}} |event= Trepça |location= ] }} (no longer exists) | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1950}} |event= Cicavica |location= ] }} (no longer exists) | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1950}} |event= Cicavica |location= ] }} (no longer exists) | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1967}} |event= Zheleznicar, now Kalaja |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|1967}} |event= Zheleznicar, now Kalaja |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2000}} |event= Eko |location= ] }} (no longer exists) | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2000}} |event= Eko |location= ] }} (no longer exists) | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2000}} |event= Guri i zi |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2000}} |event= Guri i zi |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2000}} |event= Blinaja |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2000}} |event= Blinaja |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2004}} |event= Guri i shtrenjtë |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2004}} |event= Guri i shtrenjtë |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2004}} |event= Shkëlzeni |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2004}} |event= Shkëlzeni |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2005}} |event= HikingNjeri |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2005}} |event= HikingNjeri |location= ] }} | ||
| * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2008}} |event= Dardania |location= ] }} | * {{Timeline-event |date={{Start date|2008}} |event= Dardania |location= ] }} | ||
| Nowadays many clubs have been more active, exploring new paths and new places. For example "Sharri" club from ] worked with ] to mark and sign new paths and make the orientation much easier.<ref>http://shbsharri.com/</ref> | Nowadays many clubs have been more active, exploring new paths and new places. For example "Sharri" club from ] worked with ] to mark and sign new paths and make the orientation much easier.<ref>http://shbsharri.com/</ref> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 11:29, 23 April 2013
 | This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (February 2013) |
Hiking in Kosovo is a fairly new outdoor activity, which has gained popularity after the last war (1999). The success of hiking in Kosovo is mostly attributed to the support from different hiking societies like: "HikingNjeri" which have worked hard to not only organize different activities, but also to expose it to the general public via social media. Hiking as an activity started in its true sense of work circa 1930, the year in which a group of friends climbed the "Gjeravica" mountain in Peja.This was the first time that a peak in Kosovo was climbed. Even though people started to show interest shortly after, many mountains were near border areas and people needed special permission to visit them due to the political issue at the time. That is the reason why people were able to actually become active hikers only after the war, especially in 2003-2005. The vast majority of the Kosovo terrain is mountainous. Central mountains are not sufficiently hard to climb, yet they make a good hiking trail, their height goes from 800–1200 meters. The Mirusha river splits these mountains in two groups. The first one is located in the south-west of central mountains and includes the following: Millanoviq mountains, Gajrak, Zatriq, Bajrak and Gremnik. The second group consists of Carraleva, Goleshi, Berisha, Kosmaqi, Drenica, Qyqavica mountains. Surrounding mountains are located near border areas. They are harder for hiking because of their steep trails and require a lot of experience and agility. Mountains that are in this group are: east ridge mountains of Albanian alps, Hasi mountains, Pashtriku peak, Sharr mountain, Kortnik, east mountains of Gallak, Kopaoniku and Rogozna.
Hiking zones
The preferred hiking zones are those providing at least a somewhat challenging set of trails, but also proximity to cities such as Prizren and Peja. Even though Kosovo has many mountains that offer great trails for hiking, there are some that any hiker must visit because of their beauty and paths like: Sharr Gorge, mountains in Rugova Canyon and also Istog Gorge. In many of these places it is possible to go by car but in some mountains like :"Gjeravica", Mariashi, Roshkodoli, Guri i Kuq, Milishefci and mountains in Belegu Gorge the only way to go is by off-road vehicle. "Sharr mountain" is known for its good region and good roads (passable by any vehicle) but that is not the case for Rugova and Deçan Gorge.
Hiking trails
The following is a list of some of the best and most secure hiking trails, a list compiled by several local and national hiking clubs.
| Name | Length | Region | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guri i Kuq | 9.82 miles (15.80 km) | Pejë | Moderate |
| Brezovica | 21.17 miles (34 km) | Ferizaj | Difficult |
| Drenaj | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | Pejë | Easy |
| Hajla | 6.51 miles (10.47 km) | Pejë | Moderate |
| Gjeravica | 12.83 miles (20.64 km) | Pejë | Moderate |
| Shatoricë | 26.39 miles (42.47 km) | Leposaviq | Moderate |
Hiking seasons
April to December is considered the most suitable time for hiking, as most passionate hikers are skiing during the cold winter months. However, with shorter ski seasons due to low snowfalls and the increasing popularity of hiking, a lot of hikers have begun to remain active during winter as well. Mountains in Kosovo are covered in snow from November to April that's why snow and water-proof boots are mandatory in the West due to the need for stream fording. The mountains preferred for hiking during hot weather are: Gjeravica, Hasi, Sharr outskirts, Gallak, Kopaoniku, Rogozna, Guri i Kuq, Milishefci, Roshkodoli, Mariash. As for the cold winter months, the preferred mountains are those that are lower in altitude and are less steep: Prevalla, Pashallore, Pashtriku, Brezovica, Brod outskirts, and Kortnik.
Types of hiking in Kosovo
Hikers in Kosovo speak of four kinds of hiking activities:
- Trekking
- Rock climbing
- Dayhike (a hike that can be completed in a single day and does not require overnight camping)
- Backpacking (including camping one or more nights, also known as multi-day hiking)
Equipments and directions
The equipment required largely depends on the hiking activity and the nature of the trail. A basic kit must include water, a map, a backpack and a flashlight. As for the outfit, one can wear anything but hiking boots are a must. Dangerous hiking circumstances include getting lost, hazardous terrain, animal attack and sickness. It is therefore also advisale to bring medications or first aid kit. One could quite easily get lost because not all trails in Kosovo are marked, which is why one needs to carry a magnetic pocket compass. Different hiking clubs in Kosovo have a list which includes items such as sunglasses, sunscreen, clothes, first aid kit, fire starter, knife and many other stuff to get you prepared as you can be. The maps that are used are mostly GIS maps(Geographic information system). Also there are maps that were created by the "Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS)" with a scale of 1:25000 and 1:50000. Even though signs are rare, hikers are not so it is easy to get around by asking directions.
People and hiking
Kosovo has a great potential for development of mountain tourism. The whole territory of Kosovo has more than 50% of mountain relief. People of all ages can go on hiking, although currently most hikers in Kosovo are aged between 30 and 60. The percentage of people that are interested in hiking, compared to the potential that Kosovo offers, is really low even though there is a big effort on raising that percentage. Hiking in Kosovo can be very interesting and an unforgettable experience and many have written about it. Hikers usually take a journal with them to keep track of different hiking trips. Their journal usually contains how many kilometers they walked, how long did it take to arrive to the peak, the places they visited and notable things they saw during the hike.
Rarities while hiking in Kosovo
While hiking in Kosovo one can run into different endangered species, rare and poisonous plants.
Some of these animals are:
As for the plants :
Clubs
In Kosovo there are more than 25 hiking clubs organizing different hiking events. The most known in Prishtina are: "HikingNjeri" and "SHBA Prishtina" but still Prizren is known for the largest number of hiking societies. During the last years, hiking in Kosovo has gotten more and more support from different foreign organizations like:"USAID", "EU Commission" and "Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS)".The best way to taste Kosovo's mountains and enjoy the stay there is to join one of these clubs for a small membership fee. The hikes are organized on weekends(almost every weekend) going from weekly ones with general attendance in some clubs to more rare but demanding hikes in others.
Chronology of the establishment of hiking clubs
The society "Gjeravica" from Peja is the first society that was created in 1928. After the World War II many clubs were created in: Mitrovica, Gjakova, Ferizaj, Prishtina and Prizren. In 1951 the first Hiking community was formed which later was called "Lidhja Bjeshkatare - Skitare e Kosovës". Except outdoor activities many clubs started publishing magazines and books for example "Gjeravica", which managed to publish 19 issues of the magazine "The Voice of Gjeravica".
- 1928 (1928): Gjeravica, Pejë
- 1948 (1948): Pashtriku, now Sharri, Prizren
- 1948 (1948): Gërmija, now Prishtina 1, Prishtinë
- 1948 (1948): Pashtriku, Gjakovë
- 1928 (1928): Sharri, now Lyboteni, Ferizaj
- 1948 (1948): Trepça, Mitrovicë (no longer exists)
- 1950 (1950): Cicavica, Vushtrri (no longer exists)
- 1967 (1967): Zheleznicar, now Kalaja, Fushë Kosovë
- 2000 (2000): Eko, Prizren (no longer exists)
- 2000 (2000): Guri i zi, Dragash
- 2000 (2000): Blinaja, Lipjan
- 2004 (2004): Guri i shtrenjtë, Shtime
- 2004 (2004): Shkëlzeni, Gjakovë
- 2005 (2005): HikingNjeri, Prishtinë
- 2008 (2008): Dardania, Gjilan
Nowadays many clubs have been more active, exploring new paths and new places. For example "Sharri" club from Ferizaj worked with GPS to mark and sign new paths and make the orientation much easier.
References
- ^ http://www.hikingnjeri.com/english/Welcome.html
- http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/kosovo-facts/
- http://www.kosovotourismcenter.com/kiking.html
- Islami, Arben (2013). Pure Kosovo, INIT productions, Prishtinë
- http://endritstrail.blog.com/2012/06/16/hiking-around-peja-kosovo/
- ^ http://www.fbaku.org/index.php/sq/udherrefimet.html
- http://www.wikiloc.com/trails/outdoor/kosovo
- http://www.everytrail.com/browse.php?page=2&country=Kosovo&activity_id=5
- ^ http://www.newkosovareport.com/201004222184/Society/hiking-kosovo.html
- The Mountaineers, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, (1997), ISBN 0898864275.
- Çaplar, Alan (2011). Bazat e bjeshkatarisë, Blini-BK, Gjakovë, ISBN 978995199306.
- Wassel, Tod, 2011, The Mountains of Dragash/Dragaš, Kosovo: Hiking and Nature Tourism Guide, United Nations Development Programme
- http://www.shba-prishtina.com/donacione/
- Ministria e mjedisit dhe planifikimit hapësinor, 2010. Natyra, UNDP, Prishtinë
- http://www.aragonit-speleo.org/en/visitingkosova
- Veselaj,Z,Sherifi, 2001, Llojet e rralla bimore dhe shtazore të Kosovës, Ekoklina & IMNMK, Prishtinë
- Odden, John; Linnell, John D. C.; Andersen, Reidar (2006). "Diet of Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx, in the boreal forest of southeastern Norway: The relative importance of livestock and hares at low roe deer density". European Journal of Wildlife Research. 52 (4): 237. doi:10.1007/s10344-006-0052-4.
- Mammals of Europe. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. 1993. ISBN 0-691-09160-9.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|authors=ignored (help) - Bear Online Information System for Europe. Kora.ch. Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
- Georges Cuvier, Edward Blyth, Robert Mudie, George Johnston, John Obadiah Westwood, William Benjamin Carpenter, The Animal Kingdom: Arranged After Its Organization, Forming a Natural History of Animals, and an Introduction to Comparative Anatomy, 1851, p. 171
- Groves, C. (2008). Current views on the taxonomy and zoogeography of the genus Sus. pp. 15–29 in Albarella, U., Dobney, K, Ervynck, A. & Rowley-Conwy, P. Eds. (2008). Pigs and Humans: 10,000 Years of Interaction. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-920704-6
- http://www.arkive.org/capercaillie/tetrao-urogallus/
- Mužinic, Jasmina; Rašajski, Javor (1992). "On Food and Feeding Habits in the White Stork, Ciconia c. ciconia, in the Central Balkans" (PDF). Õkologie der Vögel (Ecology of Birds). 14: 211–23.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Wasson, R. Gordon. The Wondrous Mushroom: Mycolatry in Mesoamerica, pp43–44
- Ferat REXHEPI & Elez KRASNIQI, 2004, http://hacquetia.zrc-sazu.si/vol3_pdf/HQ3-1_6.pdf
- ^ Krasniqi,E.A.,Mala,Xh.,Maxhuni,Q.,Bajraktari,F.,Hajdari, (2007), Stenoendemic species of Kosova's flora, 31st International Symposium on Vegetation in SE Europe,04-06 July 2007 Prishtina, Kosovo.
- Millaku F (1999). Flora subalpike dhe alpike e Alpeve Shqiptare (Kosovë), Doctorate thesis, Prishtinë, Kosovë. Pp 90-91
- ^ http://www.fbaku.org/
- http://www.mkrs-ks.org/?page=2,1
- http://shbsharri.com/
External links
- http://www.toddswanderings.com/2011/06/camping-and-hiking-in-kosovos-backcountry-brod-to-lake-shutman.html
- http://www.kosovotourismcenter.com/index.html
- http://mashinter.blogspot.com/2008/05/good-hiking-in-kosovo.html
- http://www.marimangat.org/index.html