Trekking in North Macedonia: White Lake and White lake Peak 2610m

As trekking in North Macedonia is getting more and more popular, the word of the beautiful nature of this small European country is spreading and attracting more and more mountaineers from all around the world.

We decided to do as many hikes we can and document them, publish them on our blog and maybe inspire even more tourists to give chance to this relatively unexplored country in the Balkans that is a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers.

More to read: One day in Skopje

Trekking in North Macedonia: White Lake and White lake Peak 2610m

We have been trekking in North Macedonia since always, but not in the Sar Mountains (Sar Planina) which are near Tetovo and just 50km from Skopje. Beautiful nature with a few lakes, lots of springs and more than 25 peaks that are over 2000m, with 15 of them being over 2500m.

The peak we conquered in the mountains of Sar Planina on July 22, 2018 is called Beloezerski Vrv (White Lake Peak), named after the White Lake from where the descend begins. Beloezerski Peak is 2610m high.

We had an awesome guide for this trek that we can highly recommend if you want to conquer this peak and visit the lakes. He did his own trail in Spring 2018 that makes a loupe from the staring point, in other words you are not coming back the same way you are going up.

We started from 900m above sea level to ascend a ridge from which you can see 4 peaks, from left to right (Borislavec 2560, Little Turk 2702m, Titov Vrv 2748 and Bakardan 2700m) and also you can see the two lakes. On the way up you will see first the biggest lake in Sar Planina called Bogovinsko Lake which lays on 1960m above sea level. Than you will see the White Lake that lays on 2280m. The view is amazing, seeing these beautiful lakes surrounded by peaks.

It is a 23km trek that our guide rates as a moderate/difficult route but do listen to us: it is difficult, especially if you are recreational hiker! It is demanding because of the elevation. You will have to ascend 1700m and than descend 1700m on the same day.

Best time to do this trek is from May to October.

There are springs up in the mountains where you can fill up your water bottles, but also carry some with you
Bring sunscreen because 90% of the trek is out in the open, a hat and sunglasses is a must + lip balm
Bring sandwiches, fruits and some snacks

Pack a T-shirt to change and also a fleece or technical shirt is recommended when ascending the peak
Light hiking boots but also can be done in trainers
We would recommend long pants or leggings because of prickly plants at the end of the trek

No need to say about cameras, but just to remind you 🙂

The trail described here is not marked, so don’t do it without a guide.

However if you don’t want to do the whole loop you can go by the lakes and up to the peak and than back. You can do it by your selves the path is marked. The trek starts from the village called Novo Selo.

MORE HIKING: If you are near Ohrid you can do an amazing hike towards the peak Magaro. Read more in our Skopje to Ohrid blog post.