PROJECT DETAILS

The need for renovation and reconstruction of the oldest mountaineering facility in Macedonia - "Ljuboten", originally arises from the long tradition of the first, oldest mountaineering lodge in the Republic of Macedonia, extending the life of the facility (there is 90 years), opportunities and conditions for full development of mountain tourism in the region and the establishment of a mountain locality which in the future will be used as a starting point for all those who want to cross the mountain transversal from the top Ljuboten to the city of Ohrid. Furthermore, the need for renovation of this mountaineering facility is a result of 96 years of operation of the Mountaineering Club "Ljuboten" (PK "Ljuboten") in continuity, the accumulated experience of several generations of mountaineers, participation in a number of development projects of Sharr Mountain mountain tourism, projects for protection of the environment and protected plant areas of Shar Mountain and over the years, holders of projects for marking the mountain trails of Shar Mountain. At the same time, the history of P.K. "Ljuboten" is related to the beginnings, history and development of mountaineering in Macedonia. Mountaineers of all ages and nationalities living in Tetovo, Macedonia have been members of the club. The club is a 60-year-old organizer of mass mountaineering trips on Shar Mountain, which are regularly attended by clubs and mountaineers from all Balkan countries and beyond. (eg Titov Vrv event, in May, in the last 30 years attended by an average of 700 mountaineers, 60 clubs, 10 countries.) The success of the club mountaineers in conquering the highest peaks in the world: Himalayan peaks, Mont Blanc, Matterhorn Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, etc. The idea and the goal for the renovation of the Mountaineering House Ljuboten arises from other factors, such as: - The natural resources of Shar Mountain: area 1600 km2, belt of 80 km long along the ridge and width of 10 - 30 km; 25 peaks over 2,000 m., 15 peaks over 2,500 m. altitude, which culminate with Titov Vrv (2747 m.); 36 glacial lakes, waterfalls, 220 springs, rivers in two catchment areas; the flora is abundant with 2,000 species of which 200 are endemic plants, 44 species of game; wide belts of forests, pastures, etc. Shar Planina is home to one of the largest ski resorts in the Balkans, Popova Sapka. - Initiative of all relevant factors for declaring part of Shar Mountain a national park. (Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy, scientific institutions, Universities in Skopje and Tetovo, European Union Office, Local Self-Government of municipalities in the region, environmental, mountaineering and other associations and clubs in Tetovo and Tetovo, political entities and citizens), - Over 75 years of organized tourism, annual visit of 100,000 visitors to Shar Mountain. - The growing interest of the citizens of Tetovo, R. Macedonia and other Balkan and European countries for recreation, individual and organized mountaineering, sports, environmental and scientific research, tourist visit to the Sharr Mountain region, by domestic and foreign visitors. - Almost inexhaustible opportunities for development of mountaineering, winter, ecological and sports tourism, offered by Shar Mountain. - The increasing coordination and cooperation of P.K. "Ljuboten" with all mountaineering, skiing, paragliding and mountain biking clubs, tourist and environmental associations in the region. - The increased interest of the local self-government for the development of the local tourism. - The modest conditions offered by the mountaineering facilities, homes throughout Macedonia, and especially on Shar Plannina