Korab (mountain)

Mountain Highest peak on North Macedonia–Albania border

Mount Korab, the highest peak on the North Macedonia-Albania border, attracts hikers who traverse steep ridges and cross a national frontier to reach the summit and broad alpine views.

Main image

Korab is a mountain massif on the border between North Macedonia and Albania, whose highest point reaches 2,764 m and serves as the highest peak for both countries. It forms a compact, rugged range with steep slopes and high alpine ridges.

The massif contains steep crags, high pastures and glacially formed features that make it a focus for mountaineering and multi-day trekking routes rather than casual day-trips. Routes approach the summit from both the North Macedonian and Albanian sides.

The mountain has long served as a natural boundary and was mapped and visited in the 19th and 20th centuries as mountaineering in the region developed; seasonal grazing has shaped lower slopes.

Korab is located in the western interior of North Macedonia within the Mavrovo and surrounding municipalities, rising above nearby valleys and small mountain communities.

  • Summit elevation: The summit at 2,764 m is the highest point of both North Macedonia and Albania, forming a prominent border peak.
  • Alpine terrain and activities: Rugged alpine terrain with glacial cirques and high pastures, popular with mountaineers and hikers in summer months.
Korab (mountain)
Mount Korab (Korab massif), Mavrovo i Rostuše area, North Macedonia / on the Albania-North Macedonia border
41.7903, 20.5467
Free to access (mountain area)

How to Get to Korab (mountain) #

Mount Korab (Golem Korab) lies in the border area within Mavrovo National Park. Access is by road to nearby towns or villages in the Mavrovo/Debar/Gostivar area, from which hiking routes and mountain-trailheads begin. Reaching trailheads typically requires a car or taxi on mountain roads and then a multi-hour hike to the summit; plan with local guides or park information for exact trail access.

Tips for Visiting Korab (mountain) #

  • Start ascents from the Mavrovo side and begin very early in summer months - Mount Korab is the highest peak in North Macedonia and weather can change rapidly, so an early start reduces exposure to afternoon storms.
  • Carry your passport or ID when summiting - the ridge follows the Albania-North Macedonia border and hikers can cross the international boundary near the summit, so be prepared for border formalities.
  • Choose marked routes and local guides if you're unfamiliar with the area; routes are steep and remote in sections, and local knowledge shortens transfers and avoids time-consuming navigation mistakes.

Best Time to Visit Korab (mountain) #

Climb Korab in mid-summer (July-September) for the most reliable conditions; expect alpine temperatures near the summit even in summer.

Summer (hiking season)
July-September · valleys ~10-25°C; high elevations often ~0-10°C
Best window for climbing and trekking when snow is usually minimal; expect alpine conditions near the summit and rapidly changing weather.
Late spring & early autumn
June, October · valleys ~5-15°C; high elevations often around freezing to low single digits
Possible hiking outside peak summer but conditions can be unpredictable and some high routes may still have snow; plan conservatively.
Winter
November-March · typically below freezing at higher elevations
Alpine and often snowbound - suitable only for experienced mountaineers with proper equipment.

Weather & Climate near Korab (mountain) #

Climate

Korab (mountain)'s climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1143 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 43 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -11°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

27 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-11° -4°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -12°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

27 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-12° -5°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
6.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -3°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
15.0h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

68 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
14.7h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

66 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-7°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

124 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -3°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Korab (mountain)