DUKAT (Crnook 1881 m)

Dukat is located near Bosilegrad. You must drive by the highway Belgrade-Nis, and then turn toward Vladicin Han, pass by Surdulica and continue to Bosilegrad. From Belgrade, it is about 380 km, or 4 hours of drive. From Bosilegrad, drive to the village Klisura, for about half an hour. Village Klisura is the starting point. You will see the bus stop, with red markings. That is the beginning of the trail.

There is about 7.5 km to the top, or about 3 hours by foot. Path follows the river, for the first 500 m.

Soon, you will come to the crossroad, where the trail leads to the left. It is the center of the village Klisura. You will also see the church.

Village Klisura is located at 1460 m a.s.l. Most of the path is covered with trees, which provides a good shelter from the sun and opens wonderful views at mountain Besna kobila.

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Finally, you arrive at the village Crnostica, which is located below the summit. From here, you can see Crnook.

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On the way to the top, in a small forest, there is a monument of Serbian-Macedonian-Bulgarian friendship. A good place for rest, before demanding climb.

And now, straight to the top!

From the top is a great view at Musala and Pirin, in Bulgaria, and Osogovske mountains, in Macedonia. This is one of the most beautiful peaks I climbed, alongside Jadovnik!

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When you continue by the ridge of Dukat, you will reach the village of Zli Do and then the village of Brankovac, located at the triangle of Serbia, Bulgaria and Macedonia. The village is mostly inhabited by the Bulgarian population. Through the village, the river Brankovska flows. There is a beautiful church from the 18th century, dedicated to St. Haralampi. It is not easy to follow the path to this village, so do not go without topographic maps, because the path is overgrown at one point!

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May 2012.