Kosovo Trail Running & Adventure — 5 Days

September 4–8, 2026 · Self-Guided · Prizren + Peja

Race the ridge. Then run the valley.

Five days in Kosovo’s wildest terrain — starting with a cross-border race through the Sharr Mountains, then heading west to trail run above Peja and explore the Rugova Canyon.

No guide. No hand-holding. Just GPX files, guesthouse keys, and mountains.

The Trip

Day 1 — Arrive Prizren

September 4 · Race prep

Prizren is Kosovo’s most beautiful city and the backdrop for race day. Walk the old bazaar, cross the Ottoman stone bridge, and climb to Prizren Fortress — where the Bear Trail starts and finishes. Collect your race bib. Do a 20-minute shakeout on the course. Eat well. Sleep early.

Overnight: Prizren

Day 2 — High Scardus Ultra Race Day

September 5 · Sharr Mountains

The High Scardus Ultra is a cross-border trail running event through the Sharr Mountains, starting in Prizren and crossing into North Macedonia. Choose your distance when you book:

The Bear Trail starts and finishes at Prizren’s Marash — a short scenic loop, perfect if you want the race experience without the ultra commitment. The Scardus Ultra crosses into North Macedonia on high-altitude ridgelines above 2,000m.

Overnight: Prizren

Day 3 — Transfer to Peja + Trail Running

September 6 · Livadhi i Sakës + Peja trail network · ~15–20km

Morning transfer Prizren → Peja (90 min). Drop your bags and head straight out. From Peja city center, the Lumbardhi River promenade takes you to the trailhead. Livadhi i Sakës climbs 375m through protected meadows to an open plateau with views across the Vjellaku massif and down into the Rugova gorge. From there, link into the wider Peja trail network — canyon-side singletrack, forest paths, ridge lines — and build the day to whatever your legs have left after the race.

Overnight: Peja

Days 4–5 — Your Choice

September 7–8 · Two options, pick one at booking

Option A — Via Ferrata Rugova

Day 4 · Via Ferrata Rugova Canyon Three kilometers from Peja, the canyon walls of Rugova offer four via ferrata routes ranging from 300m to 1,000m in length, climbing up to 300m above the gorge floor. Gear available for rent on site. Allow 3–4 hours on the wall. The rest of the afternoon is yours.

Day 5 · Depart Easy morning, depart at leisure back to Pristina (90 min).

Overnight both nights: Peja

Option B — Hajla Peak Run

Best suited for runners who did the 10km or 20km on race day.

Day 4 · Transfer to Drelaj · Valley run Drelaj sits 18km into Rugova at the heart of the Accursed Mountains National Park. Check into your guesthouse and run easy in the valley — open meadows, glacial streams, peaks above 2,000m on every side.

Day 5 · Hajla Summit Run · Depart Hajla (2,403m) is the highest point on the Rugova ridge and sits exactly on the Montenegro border. The route climbs from Drelaj via Reka e Allagës: 12km, 850m of ascent, a ridge line with views into three countries. Run it, then transfer back to Pristina.

Overnight: Day 4 in Drelaj / Day 5 depart from Rugova

Pricing

Prices include accommodation (4 nights), all transfers, race entry, and via ferrata gear rental where applicable.

Bring a friend. Transfers split two ways — traveling with someone saves each of you €372 on Option A and €415 on Option B.

Option A — Via Ferrata (includes gear rental)

Option B — Hajla Peak Run

What’s Included

• 4 nights accommodation
• All transfers (airport–Prizren, Prizren–Peja, Peja–airport, and Peja–Drelaj–Peja for Option B)
• Race entry for your chosen distance
• GPX files for all running days
• Route notes with waypoints, water sources, and bail-out options
• Pre-trip logistics brief with local contacts

What’s Not Included

• Flights
• Meals
• Via ferrata gear rental is included in Option A pricing

Good to Know

Drelaj books fast. Guesthouses in Rugova fill up weeks ahead in September. Once you confirm Option B, book your Drelaj accommodation immediately — we’ll send you the contacts.

Option B and race distance. Running Hajla two days after a 35km or 58km race is serious load. Option B works best paired with the Bear Trail or Jelak Trail. If you’re doing the Oshlak or Scardus Ultra, Option A gives your legs a better recovery.

Race entry is paid directly to High Scardus Ultra at highscardusultra.com. We coordinate registration — the fee goes straight to the race organizers.

Getting there. Fly into Pristina (PRN). Prizren is 75 minutes by bus or taxi. Peja is 90 minutes in the opposite direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fitness level do I need? You should be running regularly and comfortable on uneven terrain. Day 3 has 15–20km with elevation gain the day after a race — plan your race distance accordingly. If you’ve done a half marathon on trails, you’re ready.

Can I change my race distance after booking? Yes, up until the High Scardus Ultra registration deadline. We’ll let you know when that closes.

What is Via Ferrata? A climbing route on rock equipped with fixed steel cables, rungs, and ladders. No prior climbing experience needed — gear is rented on site and the Rugova routes are beginner-accessible. Full experience takes 3–4 hours.

Can I come solo? Yes. Everything is self-managed so solo travel works well. Prizren has a strong race-weekend atmosphere and Peja is easy to navigate independently.

What’s the weather like in September? Ideal. Mountain temperatures range from 10–22°C. September is dry season in Kosovo with stable conditions. Bring a wind layer for the Sharr ridgelines and Hajla summit.