Sunday, June 30 -- It was another hiking day with the hiking club in Kaçanik. We started the hike today from near the old mosque at 8:30 am and hiked to Guri i Shpum. I learned from our language teacher that shpum means a "hole". The area was named Guri i Shpum as there was a tunnel for traveling to and from Kaçanik in the hillside and it was at one time the only way to Skopje from Kaçanik. The tunnel was closed during one of the wars to protect the city (I think). The group was smaller today with only two female hikers -- me and Arbnora.
Thom and I have walked out to the area several times, but we have never climbed up the unfinished stairs as it is a work zone and there are warning signs. With the hiking group, we hiked up the stairway and headed up to the top where there is a new UÇK sign that is lit up at night. It was a bit of a hike up, but not too bad to the sign. We also encountered our first turtle (breshke) of the day on our way to the sign. We took a break at the sign and got plenty of photos as the views of Kaçanik were really nice. The police droved up while we were there. I think they were just making sure that we were not causing any problems (I am not sure though.) The one police officer said "hi" in English and asked me how I liked it.
The photo of the group before starting the trail
After the break at the sign, we headed back down the road leading from the sign and then found a trail that to us to the park at Guri i Shpum. I saw a posting on facebook about the park and I wanted to see it. The views here were even better and we could see Ferizaj in the distance as it was a really clear day. We had a coffee break at the park, before heading on again. This time we took a trail that lead along some Ottoman ruins. At one point we were actually walking on the top of a wall from the ruins.
Along the way, we occasionally see another turtle or two. I looked the type of turtle up and they were Hermann's tortoise. They look similar to a box turtle, but are much bigger. As the trail came to a junction with a rustic road, we came upon another picnic area. It was time for another break with a snack of all kinds of nuts (Brazil, hazel, walnuts, and almonds). There were two turtles by the picnic area. At the area, there was water that comes from a spring, that you can refill your water supply.
After a break, we started walking again. We were going towards a river, where it was possible to swim in clean refreshing water. The hike itself was through wooded areas. In the shade of the trees, it was nice and comfortable. When we were in the sun, it was very hot and a little sticky. Thom and I went with Fatmire and Ekrem on a short side hike, while the others took a break. They wanted to show us a portion of an old Roman Road. It was determined that it is a Roman road, because it matches the prescribed measurements. Much of the stones were removed and used in other building, but portions still remain.
We walked for a bit and then the group split up. I not sure why, but I think we went the best way. We finally came to a spot where we could sit not far from the river near a little, old mill. Some of the guys went and dammed up the river with rocks to make a pool of water and they splash around for a bit. We had lunch by the mill.
Fatmirë was checking out the mill and saw a bat. I went to see it and it started flying around. I don't think it liked being disturbed. After lunch, we started heading back. We retraced our steps with lots of breaks back to the picnic area with the spring. Then we headed back to Kaçanik along the road. I counted 10 turtles on our hike today, so it was a 10 turtle day.
As always, we enjoyed the hike with the hiking group. There are always so kind and generous. They always make us feel welcomed.
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