The Gorna Reka Trail starts at the tourist information point in Mavrovi Anovi and passes through three villages. Along the way, the route offers scenic landscapes and panoramic views of the Gorna Reka region. Both the route through the villages and the views of Gorna Reka are highlights.

Gorna Reka Trail: Route and directions

The trail mostly follows a wide, paved forest road; markers and signposts make it easy to follow. The Mavrovo National Park Information Centre in Mavrovi Anovi provides route maps. Check in advance whether maps will be available during your visit, and check the current trail conditions before setting out.

More experiences in the broader destination of Mavrovo and Rostuša

Two annual events take place in Galichnik, in the broader destination of Mavrovo and Rostuša: the Galichnik Wedding Festival is celebrated on St. Peter’s Day (Petrovden), July 12, and the Art Colony takes place in August. These offer different planning reference points—a specific day for the festival and a month for the Art Colony. Check the latest announcements for each edition before your trip.

In the broader destination of Mavrovo and Rostuša, the history of St. Nicholas Church in Mavrovo is also closely connected to changes in the area. The church was built in 1857 on the then-existing field of Mavrovo and was flooded in 1957 during the construction of the Mavrovo hydroelectric facilities. It becomes visible on rare occasions when the lake level drops. Its visibility therefore depends on this particular water-level situation.

In the broader destination of Mavrovo and Rostuša, Sharkova Dupka Cave can be visited in organized groups. A lit metal staircase leads to its first underground chamber. If you are planning a cave visit, check the current arrangements in advance.

In the broader destination of Mavrovo and Rostuša, the Duf Waterfalls can be reached from the centre of Rostuše in about 30 minutes via a marked trail through Duf Gorge. The trail is considered easy to walk, but is steep in several places and has a wooden railing for safety. Duf Waterfall is at the end of the gorge and is about 25 metres high. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Another hiking trail in the broader destination of Mavrovo and Rostuša starts at the ski centre in Mavrovo and ends at the location of Chavkarnik near the sheepfold. Its named endpoints provide a different point of reference from the Gorna Reka Trail, which starts at the tourist information point and passes through three villages.

The two trails can also be distinguished by their focus: the Gorna Reka Trail highlights village passages and panoramic views, while the trail to Duf Waterfall leads to a named natural destination at the end of the gorge. This can help you choose an outing based on whether you prefer a particular route or a specific destination.

Discover more destinations: Janche, Leunovo, Lazaropole, Mavrovo, Trebishte, Rostushe, Galichnik, Nikiforovo.

For the broader travel guide: Mavrovo and Rostuša.