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SUMMITS
SUMMIT No. 33: MIDZOR (SERBIA)
SERBIA
MIDZOR
30/05/2026
ALTITUDE
2,169 m
Albert López, Miquel López, and Andreu López
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
LOW
CHRONICLE
This year, we had a hard time finding a destination and a peak that would work for us, as well as coordinating our schedules. Nil López, my oldest nephew, won’t be joining us this season, so the expedition will consist of a total of three members.
Serbia, officially the Republic of Serbia, is a landlocked Balkan country bordered by Hungary to the north; Romania and Bulgaria to the east; North Macedonia and Albania to the south; and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro to the west.
Serbia is an ancient nation. Its origins as the Serbian dynasty date back to the year 620, more than 1,400 years ago. It has a population of approximately 6.7 million, of whom about 1.2 million live in the capital, Belgrade, which will be the first stop on our trip.
We took off on an Air Serbia flight from Terminal 2 at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, and after a flight of about two and a half hours, we landed at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade.
Nikola Tesla is one of history’s greatest inventors, with more than 280 patents registered in 26 countries. Among his most notable contributions are the electromagnetic motor and the development of the polyphase alternating current system—innovations that made the widespread electrification of the planet possible. So good old Tesla more than deserves to have the national airport named after him.
And now that we know a little about the country… lights, camera, action.
The hotel where we’re staying is located in the Skadarlija neighborhood, which is a great place to sample traditional Serbian cuisine thanks to the many restaurants and traditional eateries there.
Skadarlija, known as Belgrade’s Montmartre, is a bohemian neighborhood with narrow, cobblestone pedestrian streets that you can’t miss during your visit to the capital. Our next stop is Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street, the true heart of the city. Knez Mihailova is an elegant pedestrian avenue lined with luxury boutiques and renowned international brands.
Our evening stroll wouldn’t be complete without visiting the crown jewel: Kalemegdan Fortress, one of Belgrade’s most iconic landmarks and a privileged witness to its historical past. Located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers—the latter of which I find particularly fascinating—it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. It’s a very spacious complex, ideal for relaxing and letting your mind wander. We took advantage of the day’s last rays of sunshine to have a drink while taking in the scenery.
My ankle is a little sore—I suffered a double sprain there just ten days ago—so after dinner I head back to my room early and let the younger members of the group stay out late.
We had planned to meet for breakfast at 9:30, but since there’s no sign of life in the WhatsApp group I share with my nephews, I decide to head out on my own to stretch my legs and, while I’m at it, do a little sightseeing by visiting the Church of Saint Sava. St. Sava is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and a must-see for lovers of architecture and history.
During my walk, I also have time to pass by the Nikola Tesla Museum, though not to visit it, since I have to be back at the hotel before noon to check out. At 12:00, we leave the hotel—with the team now back together—and the scenery changes completely. We left the urban surroundings behind and headed to the northeast of the country, where Midzor—Serbia’s highest peak at 2,169 meters—is located.
The trip from Belgrade to the Stara Planina Hotel will take us about four hours, though it never feels tedious, as the Serbian landscapes are truly a pleasure to behold. We arrived just in time for dinner, and as we sat down to eat, we briefly discussed the next day’s route. We didn’t spend too much time planning because the climb doesn’t present any major technical challenges and the weather forecast is excellent.
We started walking around 10:30 a.m. from the Babin Zub mountain lodge, located at an altitude of 1,550 meters and just a fifteen-minute drive from the hotel. The Hotel Stara Planina, located at the foot of a ski resort, is a very attractive and well-equipped lodging option, featuring a spa, gym, outdoor pool, and many other amenities.
The weather forecast was spot on, and bright sunshine greeted us in Babin Zub, where we began our hike. The route is a straight line, with a total distance of 12 kilometers and a cumulative elevation gain of about 750 meters, concentrated mainly in the first and last kilometers of the hike.
The climb to the summit is a pleasant hike with no technical challenges. The trails are wide and easy to walk on, winding through a completely green and open landscape that allows us to see Bulgarian territory on the horizon.
From Bulgaria, the climb up Midzor is considerably more challenging, with much steeper slopes. As we made our way up, we encountered quite a few people. In addition to the trail’s accessibility, it was Saturday—a day off for many hikers.
We reach the 2,169-meter mark sooner than expected, and the climb takes us less than two hours. This is the third national peak I’ve climbed with my nephews, and for me, it’s incredibly exciting to be here—so many kilometers from where we’re from—discovering the world and experiencing new adventures.
It’s a magnificent day. My ankle has held up very well, and the pain has been minimal. I take off my boots and socks at the summit so my feet can breathe in the air of the Serbian highlands. We spend about forty-five minutes at the summit resting, taking in the scenery, eating, and chatting. The return trip is straightforward—we simply retraced our steps. Whenever I can, I avoid linear routes, since I don’t particularly care for monotony and repetition. However, in the case of Midzor, there were no alternatives to the route we’d taken from the Serbian side.
After this morning’s leg workout—which involved the climb up Midzor—an afternoon of spa, sauna, and relaxation awaits us at the hotel, which is just what my still-injured ankle needs. And after the water, it’s time for soccer. Today is the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG. PSG would go on to be crowned champions for the second consecutive year after a thrilling penalty shootout. As the team led by Spanish coach Luis Enrique lifted the trophy, we retired to our rooms. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day, with six to seven hours of driving ahead of us.
We woke up early to make sure we had enough time for everything we wanted to do. Our first stop, after about three hours on the road, is Đerdap National Park, where we’ll visit Golubac Fortress. This 14th-century medieval gem is notable for its ten towers and its spectacular location next to Europe’s longest and deepest canyon. The road leading to Golubac invites you to drive slowly and enjoy the Danube, which runs parallel to the road and serves as a natural border with neighboring Romania—a country I visited in October 2023 with Jordi Girona, where we also reached the country’s highest peak, Moldoveanu Peak, at 2,544 meters.
When buying tickets to visit the fortress, we have four options (green, blue, red, or black). I opt for the black option—a tour that requires athletic shoes and comfortable clothing—and, sure enough, the route forces me to climb over rocks and navigate some sections equipped with chains. I joke with the guide accompanying us on the tour and tell him that Serbia’s true “Top Summit” is the fortress tower.
After visiting the fortress, we make a brief stop to recharge our batteries, and as soon as we’re done, we get back in the car and head toward Novi Sad, a city located in northern Serbia on the banks of the ever-present Danube River.
Novi Sad is Serbia’s second-largest city, and before dinner, we feel like taking a walk to explore it. The atmosphere is quiet—since it’s Sunday—and that doesn’t exactly suit my nephews’ plans, since they were hoping to take advantage of the day to go out and party.
As for me, I’ll call it a night early. My ankle has improved a lot, but when I stand with my full weight on it, it still hurts, so I’d rather sit this one out in case the numbing effect of the alcohol ends up causing further damage to the injury.
GALLERY
