For the trail · alpventurer.com/maja-zeze-konjusha
Maja e Zezë and Konjusha peaks, hiking ‘The Edge’ in Kosovo
Maja e Zezë and Konjusha peaks · Kosovo
- Water
- Several sources; carry around 1.5 litres
- Parking
- Free
In short
This 20 km hike starts near Prevalla in Kosovo and follows the ridge to Maja e Zezë and Konjusha. It gains 1,288 m and reaches 2,585 m. There are several water sources along the route, so I suggest carrying around 1.5 litres.
The route
- Distance
- 20.0 km
- Ascent
- +1,288 m
- Descent
- −1,278 m
- High point
- 2,585 m
- Lowest point
- 1,517 m
A Prevalla: 42.17374, 20.96221▲ Maja e Zezë: 42.12865, 20.92005
Walking time, without breaks
- Relaxed11 h 40 min
- Average9 h 20 min
- Fast7 h 30 min
How steep
- Under 8% 4.7 km
- 8 to 15% 3.4 km
- 15 to 25% 4.2 km
- Over 25% 3.8 km
In two parts
- Up to Maja e Zezë 7.7 km · +1,127 m
- Back down to Prevalla 8.4 km · −1,202 m
What to pack
Every hike
- Water: about 3.5 litres (half a litre an hour)
- Rain jacket
- A warm layer (fleece or light down)
- Sun cap, sunglasses and sun cream
- Boots or trail shoes with good grip
- Phone with the map offline, and a power bank
- Small first aid kit
- Headlamp, in case it gets late
- Some cash and your ID
For the summit
- Hat and gloves: it is colder and windier at the top
- Walking poles, for the way down
For a long day
- Lunch, and a snack for every two hours
- Salty snacks or electrolytes
- Blister plasters
Water and sun
- Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel, if you fancy a dip
The guide
Maja e Zezë and Konjusha are beautiful mountain peaks in the Sharr Mountains, part of ‘The Edge’ trail. The Edge trail is known because within a day, you can climb 4 peaks, all above 2’550 m/alt, on the border between Kosovo and North Macedonia. Part of this trail, are Bistra peak, and Guzhbaba peak.
How to get there
The starting point for this trail is near the touristic village of Prevalla, Prizren, and there are two ways to get to Prevalla.
The first way is from the city of Prizren. You will go through some villages like Recan, Musnikovo, and finally, in Prevalla, the distance is 26 km.
The other way is to go through Shterpce. Once you arrive in Shterpce you continue to Brezovica, and after that follow the road to Prevalla. The distance from Brezovica to Prevalla is 21 km.
About the Maja e Zezë and Konjusha peaks, ‘The Edge’ hike
As mentioned before you will start the hike from Prevalla. First, you will go through an unpaved road for around 3 km, after this, you continue ascending the hill to your left. You will go through a meadowy terrain for more than 3 km. After 3 km, you will have a water source, the Lumbardh river spring. As soon as you ascend the hill you need to turn right and follow the ridge, and you will reach the Maja e Zezë peak (2’585 m/alt).
Through the ridge is the border between Kosovo and Macedonia, you will continue and climb the other peak, Konjusha (2’571 m/alt). When you start descending, you will be able to go through a very beautiful mountain lake. This is Konjusha Lake, which is the mountain lake located at the highest altitude in the Sharr Mountains (around 2’400 m/alt). In conclusion, the total distance of the hike is 20 km.
There are several water sources during the hike, so take around 1.5 liters of water.
Points of interest:
Starting point: Prevalla, Kosovo
Starting altitude: 1’563 m/alt
Highest altitude: 2’585 m/alt
Elevation gain: 1’288 m/alt