Kozuf: Where the Balkans Meet the Mediterranean

Kozuf stands as a unique phenomenon in the southern part of Macedonia – a mountain where fresh Balkan air blends seamlessly with warm Mediterranean breezes from the Aegean. Just an hour above Gevgelija, a world begins that breathes deeper and moves at a slower pace. Its highest point is Zelen Breg (approx. 2,170 m), surrounded by a series of peaks soaring over 2,000 meters – rounded, serene, and expansive. On clear days, the view from the top stretches all the way to the distant blue band of the Aegean Sea. Kozuf is not intimidatingly steep; it is a mountain that invites you to explore and climb at your own rhythm. The climate is a rare fusion of two worlds. Summers are breezy and cool, while winters are snowy and silent. This balance makes the mountain an ideal destination for walking, hiking, and winter activities all year round. The lower slopes are blanketed in oak and hornbeam forests; higher up, the landscape opens into beech woods, juniper, and pastures scented with wild thyme, sage, and oregano. The Doshnica River is home to river trout and crabs, while the forests shelter deer, wild boar, foxes – and even the elusive Balkan lynx. Kozuf remains true to itself: pristine, vast, and quiet.