Rugova Mountains

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.

History The Balkans have been inhabited since prehistoric times. There are signs that Rugova has been populated since the time when people lived in caves. This was proven by the discovery of a man's femur, found in the Bukuroshja e Fjetur (Sleeping Beauty) Cave, and by a petroglyph. Because this region has not been studied extensively, its earliest history is known mostly through local traditions.

Medieval and Ottoman Period The earliest official documents about Rugova are from the 13th century but this area was heavily populated only two centuries later. After the invasion of the Balkans by the Ottoman Empire (1389), Rugova was part of the Sanjak of Scutari (Old Shkodra). From the 16th century, it was part of the Sanjak of Dukagjin. Rugova became a part of the Kosovo Vilayet after the new administrative division in the 19th century. The region had a kind of autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. They were exempted from the obligations of the Ottoman government, but time after time there were conflicts between the natives and the invaders. In 1638, the Ottoman Empire in Rugova sent an army of 15,000 soldiers to invade this region. However, their attempt was unsuccessful and the Ottomans were forced to turn back. Eleven years after that, in 1649, highlanders attacked the Meduni's castle. Three days after the attack they occupied it and won more autonomy. The fighting restarted in 1700, when the High Porte charged the Pasha of Peja to vanquish Rugova, resulting in 274 families being displaced from R

Getting there

Many important roads pass through Rugova: Shkodra’s valley relates Rugova with Tropoja and Shkodra, Qafa e Çakorrit (Pass of Cakorr) leads to Plave and Guci, Qafa e Dasmorëve (Pass of the Wedding Guests) 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.

Getting 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. 1 Xhamia e Drelajve (Mosque of Drelaj) (in Drelaj village). Situated in Drelaj village, the first mosques in Rugova Mountains, built on 1915. 2 Patriarkana e Pejës (Peja's Patriarchate), 30000 Patrijasiska road, Pejë (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. 3 Liqenati (Drelaj and Kuqishtë) (at Drelaj). Liqenat refers to two picturesque alpine lakes. The name derives from the Albanian word liqen (singular: lake) and liqenat (plural: lakes) (updated May 2025) 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 (Near Peja's Patriarchate). 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. (updated May 2025)

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. Hiking Hiking in Rugova Mountains is a must when you visit Kosovo. This valley is part of the Accursed Mountains and it includes the region around the riverbed of Lumbardhi i Pejes. These peaks, cliffs and fields — home of 12 villages — are mostly populated only during the summer. The most interesting hiking in Rugova is the Hajla peak 2405. This peak also marks the border with Montenegro. This is a rocky mountain crest surrounded by woodlands and fields. It’s rich with flora and fauna. It is also used as an area for pastures for both sheep and cow. Other popular hiking trip is visiting the Lake Liqenat.

Other things to do when hiking in Rugova Further north the Village of Boge is the most populated village and it hosts several hotels and guest houses. The village is overbuilt however in the winter there is a 1-km ski lift which works also during the night. In-b

Eat

1 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

1 Hotel Magra Austria, Bogë Village, Rugovë, Peja (from Peja, take the road to Rugova, make a right towards Bogë), ☏ +383 49 560 560, [email protected], [email protected] EMAIL. 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 an