Rugova Mountains

The Rugova Mountains are in the north-western part of Kosovo. It is a region within Bjeshkët e Nemuna (the Cursed Mountains), also known as the Albanian Alps or the Accursed Mountains. It was proclaimed a national park in 2013.

The Rugova Mountains are ranked 45th in winter sports by the International Ski Federation. People also hike, mountaineer, paraglide, and have picnics in the area.

There are many caves, waterfalls, glacial lakes, high peaks and tunnels in Rugova. The highest peak is Hajla (2,403 m), with Volujaku almost as tall. There is a panorama of Peja from the top of "Qafa e Qyqes" (Cuchoo's Neck). Guri i Kuq (1,522 m) also offers tremendous panoramas.

Understand

Rugova is 93 km from Pristina. The Lumbardhi River splits the mountain in half, creating a valley and a canyon (Rugova Gorge).

85% of the territory is covered by forests, 15% by pasture. The terrain is rugged with limestones and bluff slopes and deep-narrow erosive gorges. Mountain sites are with a slope of 15°-30° but occasionally they reach 45°-90°. The terrain is composed of various forms of numerous karst such as caves, natural tunnels, waterfalls, glacial lakes etc.

Flora

Rugova region has a multitude of habitats such as meadows, pastures, bushes and shrubs, forests, foothills, holes, slopes, streams, gorges, river water, pond water, caves, karst pits, half-wet properties, almost dry properties and limestone, acids with red, purple and black colours, coastlines and valleys, massive rocks and shed stones.

This variety of habitats indicates high diversity of vegetation. Rugova's region vegetation is present as in central Europe altitudes, but it also grows plants that are characteristic of Balkans or only for this region. Rugova region distinguishes four areas of plants (beech, oaks, coniferous forests and alpine pastures)

Fauna

The region features a rich fauna both in diversity, spread or rare and endangered species. The most common mammals include hedgehogs, moles, shrews, squirrels, rabbits, bats, bears, and ungulates. Common birds include the golden eagle, the rock partridge, the griffon vulture, the European green woodpecker, and the Eurasian sparrowhawk. Several species of trout are found in the streams.

Climate

Rugova has wet continental climate with mountain influence, short and hot summers, but long and harsh winters. Spring is belated and the temperatures change within a day. Sunny hours are not very long. High level of precipitation is a result of clashes between hot/humid tropical and continental climates. Maximum precipitation is in December, and minimum in July.

Snow is present on the peaks until August, with a depth ranging from 30 cm to 2 m.

Average temperature during springtime fluctuates from 4.4°C to 7.5°C, during summer from 10.6°C to 17.2°C, during fall 5.2°C and in winter from -10°C to 15°C.

Get in

Many important roads pass through Rugova: Shkodra’s valley relates Rugova with Tropoja and Shkodra, Qafa e Çakorrit leads to Plave and Guci, Qafa e Dasmorëve relates Rozhaja and Qafa e Hajlës with Dacaj and Husaj.

Minibuses leave Peja at 08:00 (€3). It goes at each village and also came back in Peja. Also there are private taxis that can send a group of 10 persons and bring them back for €50.

Fees and permits

None.

Get around

The region of Rugova is divided into 13 villages (Shtupeqi i Vogël, Shtupeqi i Madh, Reka e Allagës, Drelaj, Pepiq, Malaj, Kuqishtë, Dugaivë, Haxhaj, Stankaj, Bogë, Shkrel dhe Koshutan) and five small neighbourhoods (Llaz, Bellopaq, Pecaj, Ujëmirë, Dreshaj). These villages are 2–7 km far from each-other. Roads are partially paved and can be blocked during winter.

See
  • Shpella e Mbretëreshës (Queen's Cave) (5th kilometer). Situated in Rugova Canyon, near the 5th kilometer. One can go there by via ferrata. 
  • 🌍 Xhamia e Drelajve (Mosque of Drelaj) (in Drelaj village). Situated in Drelaj village, the first mosques in Rugova Mountains, built on 1915. 
  • 🌍 Patriarkana e Pejës (Peja's Patriarchate) (at the entrance of Rugova Mountains). Situated in the entrance of Rugova, built in the 13th century, this was the main monument for Serbians in Kosovo. Since 2003 it has been protected by UNESCO, while for more than 300 years it was protected by a Rugovian family, called "vojvoda" meaning "sentry". 
  • Lapidari i heroit kombëtar Jashar Haxha (Monument of national hero Jashar Haxha) (at the entrance of Drelaj Village). Situated in the entrance of Drelaj, in honour of Rugova's hero. There are a lot of songs about him in Albanian folklore. 
  • 🌍 Liqenati (Liqenat) (at Drelaj). It is the biggest lake in Rugova. 
  • Tri krojet (5th kilometre). There is a terrace with some tables and chairs, with waterfall background. Also, there is a source of cold water. It is a most visited point in Rugova Canyon. Part of it is also a tunnel, a place for climbing and in its peak is situated a cave. 
  • Te sharra (35rd kilometre). Situated in entrance of Rugova Canyon, near the Peja's Patriarchate. It gather a lot of visitors in summer. Best part of it is the direct access with the river and a beautiful view of a waterfall. 

Do

Due to the historical past, sports in Rugova started developing later than in other countries, although there are sufficient resources. Today Rugova has several ski areas (one of them is equipped with a telpher), trails for hiking, and a parachuting runway. Also climbing rocks and mountaineering are towards development.

Skiing

Up to 1974 skiing was a part of mountaineering. Rugova is known as a cradle of skiing in Kosovo and Balkans. “Rusolia” was the first club from which were formed three other groups: “Peja”, “Alpi” and “Rugova”. “Rusolia” club has participated in the Olympic Games too.

The most advanced track it is placed in Bogë, but it has many favorable tracks in other places too, for example: in Stankaj. In Bogë we can also find two skiing schools “Dardani” and “Ke Luani”.

Mountaineering

Mountaineering, unlike Alpinism (hiking), means walking on the ground and climbing in height without any tool until you encounter with difficulties of nature: high craggy rocks. Within the mountaineering group works the rescue group with the consisting of 30-40 people who help in cases of nature disasters.

Mountaineers march in four marching lines:

  • The southern side of the region (6 streets)
  • The western and northern side of the region (1 street)
  • From the centre to north (3 streets)
  • The northern side (2 streets)
  • The eastern side (1 street)
  • Hiking (Kosovo Tourist Guides Association), guidesinkosovo@gmail.com, ☏ +38349372639, . umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. (updated May 2022)

Buy

Eat
  • 🌍 Hotel-Restaurant “Gryka”, Shtupeq i Madh. (updated Jul 2023)
  • Restaurant “Mulliri”- Drelaj
  • Restaurant “Rugova Camp” - Shtupeq i Madh
  • Guest House " Ariu" - Reka e Allages

Sleep
  • 🌍 Hotel Magra Austria, Bogë Village, Rugovë, Peja (From Peja, take the road to Rugova, make a right towards Bogë), ☏ +383 49 560 560, . Family ecohotel and restaurant with strong Austrian influence. The hotel is 1,450 m above sea level. You can get various forms of spa treatments there, such as a sauna, straw bath, sea salt bath and walking barefoot. €40-80. (updated Jul 2021)
  • 🌍 Villat Bora, Bogë Village, Rugovë, Peja (In the center of Bogë, near the ski track), ☏ +383 49 286 520. There are five houses, each of them has a potential for a family. €50-80. 
  • 🌍 Guesthouse Shqiponja, Drelaj Village, Rugovë, Peja (Drelaj Village, near Mosque of Drelaj), ☏ +383 49 586 740. It is an old home renovated, all in traditional way. 
  • 🌍 Rudi A&G Complex, Bogë Village, Rugovë, Peja (In the center of Bogë, near the ski track), ☏ +383 44 900 028. Hotel and restaurant in Bogë. It also offers ski school and ski equipment for rent. 
  • 🌍 Ke Luani, Bogë Village, Rugovë, Peja (In the center of Bogë, near the ski track), ☏ +383 44 328 229, +386 49 328229. Hotel and restaurant in Bogë. It owns the cableway of ski track. It also offers ski school and ski equipment for rent. 
  • 🌍 Bjeshka, Shtupeqi i Madh, Rugovë, Peja (Across the road, in 13th kilometer). At the entrance of Shtupeqi i Madh Village, it can be seen from the street. There are 4 houses, each for a family. €40. 
  • Log Cabin, Shkrel, Rugovë, Peja, ☏ +383 44 746 001, +386 49 110 450 (viber), . 1700m €30. 
  • 🌍 Gryka Restaurant, Malaj, Rugove, Pejë, ☏ +38344732771. Check-in: 11:00 AM. (updated May 2024)
  • Hotel “Rudi” – Bogë
  • Resort “Berati” – Bogë
  • Hotel-Restaurant “Ke Luani”-Bogë.
  • Neighborhood “Hani” - Shtupeq i Madh
  • Villas “Kodra” –Bogë
  • Hotel “Rugova Relax” – Bogë

Household tourism

This tourism is represented from 6 home-hotels which offer place to stay as a guest house and where better than in any other place tourists set to know local traditions and the life of residents there. This tourism is developed from these resorts:

  • Villa Husaj, Shkrel - 1700m - +383 44 746 001
  • Shqiponja, Drelaj
  • Lagjja e Kaprojve, Reken e Allages
  • Hajla Hut, Pepaj
  • Llazi i Ujkut, Pepaj
  • Sali Jaha, Malaj
  • Ariu, Hokaj

Camping

Stay safe

Area is quite safe. Ask for help local villagers if in any trouble.

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