Skrebatno to Istok peak (18 km)

This hike in Galicica National Park is 18 km long with about 960 m climbing. It starts at the road from the village Leskoec to the village Skrebatno. I parked the car about 100 m before the starting point. It was VERY DIFFICULT to figure out where and how to start this hike. I could not find a clear trail head, although it is obvious that you have to go directly uphill onto the ridge. After several attempts I made my way up, involving a bit of climbing using hands and feed. I am not sure if it was the best route, but it got me there. Actually I almost decided to give up, because I was afraid that the whole trail would be very difficult and overgrown for the entire 18 km. Luckily, directly after the rather difficult and frustrating start it became quite clear how to walk, just following the ridge and all the time uphill. Very much uphill I may add, about 20% for the first 3 km!

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To your right you sometimes can see the Church of St Bogorodica of Skrebatno in the distance, which you will visit later this hike.

After the pretty demanding climb, you reach an open space and continue for 3 km on 4×4 dirt roads through Galicica National Park.

I did not notice a clear trail to climb the Istok (East) peak, it is a bit freestyle. The same is true for the way down. The peak itself offers good views and you can see Lake Prespa.

The last part is about 8 km downhill over dirt roads and forest area where quite a lot of woodcutting seems to take place. At a certain moment the GPS track leaves the 4×4 road for no obvious reason, but it soon becomes clear that this is to connect to another trail. There are some springs nearby as well, that we visited during another hike, their location is included in the GPS file.

Soon you’ll reach the grounds of the Monastery of St Bogorodica near Skrebatno. The fields around the church are very well taken care of, because of the festivities that yearly take place at August 28^th. On that day, about 5000 people from Ohrid and the surrounding area are going to the church. A traditionally prepared lunch with broth from sheep meat and homemade bread is served and people are consuming it sitting on the fields.

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The church itself was closed when we were there.  The location is definitely good for a picnic, there are benches and a spring with drinkable water near the church. Next to the church you’ll have a good view of the ridge that you climbed during the first part of the hike.

The last 2 km take are via an asphalt road through Skrebatno back to the starting point. I am glad I did not give up because of the difficult start, it was a demanding but nice hike with good views and diverse scenery. It gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Another nice hike that passes the Monastery of St Bogorodica of Skrebatno is the hike from Velgosti to Sbrebatno.

You can view and download the GPS track from Skrebatno to Istok Peak here: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/skrebatno-istok-peak-in-galicica-national-park-54979769