From Legacy to Leadership: How “Ljuboten” Mountaineering Club is shaping year-round Eco-Tourism on Shar Mountain

Over the past century, the Mountaineering Club “Ljuboten” – Tetovo has carried out a wide range of activities aimed at the development of mountaineering, tourism, education, and environmental protection. As an organisation, the club has experienced both ups and downs over the years, yet it has successfully endured for a hundred years, adapting and operating through various socio-political circumstances.

In the past two decades, the club has been fully dedicated to strengthening its organisational capacity. While we are proud of the many milestones achieved throughout our history, we take particular pride in the work accomplished over the last quarter-century, especially in the area of mountain tourism development on the Shar Mountain. We are honoured to have played a significant role in these efforts and to have contributed to the process that led to the proclamation of Shar Mountain as a national park.

Thanks to the support of PONT (Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust), several of our ongoing activities are now focused on further strengthening our organisation, implementing actions aligned with the Shar Mountain National Park Management Plan, and collaborating with local stakeholders involved in the development of sustainable mountain tourism in the region. Among these efforts was one initiative that really represents the culmination of our mission across all these areas.

In 1931, our club built the very first mountain hut in North Macedonia and for many years, this facility served as a vital base for all visitors to the Ljuboten section of the Shar Mountain. The club managed the hut until 1962, when, due to political and social circumstances, it was handed over to a regional industrial company for use. However, in 2014, the Mountaineering Club “Ljuboten” regained ownership of the mountain hut and began a major reconstruction project. The story of the hut entered a new chapter. By 2021, the hut was fully operational and met all modern standards for a facility of its kind. However, bringing the hut up to this level was no easy task. While we managed to ensure functionality during the summer months, winter conditions remained a challenge. Now, thanks to PONT’s continued support, starting from the 2025/2026 winter season, the hut will be fully equipped to welcome guests year-round. It has been outfitted with central heating, solar panels for hot water, and photovoltaic panels for electricity generation.

With this transformation, the mountain hut is now ready to host all visitors to Shar Mountain throughout the year. It will serve not only hikers and mountaineers but also researchers working in this part of the national park. Most importantly, it stands as a model of a modern mountain facility aligned with European standards — a testament to our club’s enduring commitment to sustainable mountain tourism and environmental stewardship.

By: Jovan Bozinoski, “MC Ljuboten”