I3 – Demir Kapija – Lebedovo Lake – 134.3km

General details:

• Length: 134.3 km
• Elevation profile:

GPS track

Section I3 is complete with all tracks, markers, photos of points of interest, and added digital elevation.

Download the complete GPS track (KML format) for this section HERE

You can read instructions for the meaning of the markers, the types of trails, and the colors used HERE

Google MAP- ( How to use it ? )

More significant peaks accessible directly or via side trails:

• Volchak (Vol – chak) 
• Kara Tepe (Kara – teppe)
• Milkin (Myl – kyn)
• Visoka Chuka (Vi – so – ka  Chu – ka)
• Semer Kajas (Se – mer  Kay – as)

Description/Status:

Demir Kapija (De-mir Ka-pi-ya) – Volchak

The section starts on the outskirts of the town of Demir Kapija. After just a few kilometers and passing the main road towards Valandovo, the trail takes you into the heart of the Demir Kapija gorge through a very picturesque terrain filled with cliffs and caves, including the iconic Demir Kapija windows cave. At the same time, you are constantly moving along a route that offers beautiful views of the entire gorge. After passing the archaeological site of Prosek, you gradually leave the gorge and enter a forested area along the slopes of Sreden Rid. After passing through this area, you will come out onto a wide forest road with a gentle incline that will slowly lead you to the foothills of Volchak. After crossing the Bukova River, the forest road turns into a steeper mountain path that continues up to the foothills of Volchak, which can optionally be climbed via an alternative path.

Condition: After passing the bridge in front of old highway tunnel, the trail goes through a newly cut path making it less recognizable in some places, however the path has been recently waymarked and can be easily navigated . The trail continues towards Prosek, where remnants of old markings can be found at times. From the pass above Chelevets (Che-le-vets) onwards, the trail has no markings but is in great condition except for a short section on Sreden Rid (Sre-den rid) that needs a bit more detailed cleaning in order to be in acceptable condition.

Volchak – Kara Tepe

From the foothills of Volchak, the trail skirts around Volchak and mostly follows a narrow mountain path, except for a short section where it joins a wide dirt road. The traverse then climbs onto the ridge of the Gradeshka Mountain via a forest mountain path, where it connects to an older forest road. The trail continues to move near the ridge of Gradeshka Mountain, alternating between forest roads and mountain paths. This section of the trail often offers wide views of the southern parts of Gradeshka Mountain, with seemingly endless green mountains and hills, one of the wildest areas in southern Macedonia with no nearby settlements. In general, the trail in this region has little elevation change, allowing for relaxed movement and enjoyment of the surroundings.

Condition: This segment of the trail is not marked anywhere, but it is easy to follow and clear, requiring only occasional checking of the GPS signal.

Kara Tepe – Valandovo Hill

From the foothills of Kara Tepe, you are already on Plavush (Pla-vu-sh) Mountain and moving along a beautiful mountain path, which has been improved for the needs of the traverse to cover the most interesting areas of Plavush, at times offering wonderful views of the entire Valandovo valley. In this section, the trail alternates between the cliffs of the rocky slopes of Plavush and slopes rich with beautiful forests and green meadows. The peaks Kara Tepe and Milkin Peak are also accessible via short side trails.

Condition: The trail in most of this area is in excellent condition and certain sections are already marked. Some shorter parts, mainly where a new path has been cut, still need some improvement and clearing, but the overall condition is excellent.

Valandovo Hill – Asalk

After crossing the main road at Valandovo Hill, the trail descends via a mountain path into the Suva Reka area, passing near the small canyon of Suva Reka and Goce’s Waterfalls, and through an area where you can see endemic cacti. In the Suva Reka valley, the trail transitions to a wide forest road leading to the vicinity of the village Memeshli, an area abundant with green meadows rich in a variety of wildflowers of all colors, depending on the season. From here, the path turns into a narrow mountain trail that takes you through the southern slopes of Belasica, a region that captivates with its picturesque scenery and numerous waterfalls, both large and small that are either directly on the route or in the near vicinity, including the well-known Koculski, Razigran, Angelski, Zelen, Zavasa, Kotel, and others.

Condition: The condition of the trail in this segment is excellent. It is almost entirely clear except for some very short sections where clearing is still in progress. The trail is not marked except in the section above Koculi, but marking efforts are actively ongoing in the rest of this area.

Asalk – Bansko

From the location Asalk, above the village of Koculi, the trail begins to ascend towards the higher areas of Belasica. Initially, it alternates between rocky areas with wide views and the river valley of Chamdak Dere, passing by several more waterfalls and lakelets in the riverbed. The traverse then climbs towards the garden of monoliths, the iconic monolithic sanctuaries where the most interesting rocky, monolithic formations in Macedonia are found. After passing the monoliths, the trail soon reaches the ridge of Belasica and continues through the small settlement of Murtinski Kolibi and the famous monument of the Five Strumica, towards the Ticha Valley area. From the Vancho Atanasov mountain hut, the trail starts descending on the northern side of Belasica towards Bansko. At the beginning of the descent, the trail follows a wide forest road through the deep forests of Belasica, then transitions to a narrow mountain path towards the area of the village of Bansko.

Condition: Considering that much of this segment, especially the ascent to the ridge of Belasica and the descent towards Bansko, consists of newly traced paths, frequent checking of the GPS signal will be necessary, but as the trail marking progresses, this need will gradually decrease.

Bansko – Lebedovo Lake

The traverse continues through the area of the village of Bansko, past the famous archaeological site of the Roman Baths, along an almost flat path towards the first major waterfall on this side of Belasica – the Gabrovski Waterfall. In the vicinity of Gabrovski Waterfall, other Gabrovski waterfalls higher up along the river are accessible via side paths, and the trail briefly ascends and then transitions to a wide dirt road leading to the well-known lavish Koleshinski Waterfall. From here, the traverse climbs steeply towards the highest peaks of Belasica, passing through parts with beautiful deep forests rarely found in Macedonia. After reaching the ridge, the trail follows a wide forest road towards the rocks above the Devil’s Bridge, where it branches off onto a mountain path leading towards and passing just below the peaks of Visoka Chuka and Semer Kayas (Zvezden Peak). After passing Semer Kayas, the trail descends to the Sharena Cheshma mountain lodge and continues to the famous Smolari Waterfall, from where it descends through the area of the village of Smolari to the Lebedovo Lake complex.

Condition: The trail from the Roman Baths to Gabrovski Waterfall is maintained and marked. From Gabrovski Waterfall to Koleshinski Waterfall, the trail is not marked but is easy to follow with some GPS assistance. From Koleshinski Waterfall to the ridge of Belasica, the trail is again marked with one shorter part that is in bad shape due to recent logging and where you should follow the GPS track . From Semer Kayas peak to the Sharena Cheshma mountain lodge to Smolari Waterfall, the trail is marked and does not require GPS assistance. From Smolari Waterfall to Lebedovo Lake, the trail is not marked but can be easily navigated with minimal GPS assistance.