Winter Ascent of Hajla — Safet Mavrić Ćako Memorial
The region's most massive winter mountaineering ascent — Hajla, 2,403 m, each February from Rožaje.
Rožaje in February is deep winter country: a compact town in the upper Ibar valley, surrounded by some of the heaviest forest and most reliable snow in Montenegro, with the long crest of Hajla filling the skyline above it. The mountain's broad summit ridge is a serious undertaking in snow — which is exactly the point.
This is genuine winter alpinism, not a snowshoe walk: participants climb with crampons and ice axes through deep-winter conditions on one of the great peaks of the Hajla–Prokletije borderlands. The three-day programme builds toward the group ascent, when hundreds of climbers from Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania move up the mountain together.
The scale is what stays with participants — a snowbound peak alive with rope teams from four countries, gathered to honour a fellow climber. Rožaje, the forested town at the mountain's foot, becomes the winter-mountaineering capital of the region for a weekend.
For those with the skills to join, the weekend delivers a rare combination: a demanding winter summit within an organized frame, and an evening culture of shared meals and mountain stories back in town. Even watching has its rewards — the sight of the long column moving up the snowfields stays with people.
Participation is free with mountaineering club registration, and winter equipment and experience are required. The memorial takes place over three days in early February, based in Rožaje.
What to expect
The region's biggest winter ascent
No other winter mountaineering gathering in the region matches its scale — climbers from four countries on one peak.
Hajla, 2,403 m, in full winter
The climb is true winter alpinism, with crampons and ice axes through deep-season conditions.
A climber's memorial
The ascent honours Safet Mavrić Ćako, organized by his club, PSK "Hajla 2403".
Nearly three decades
Close to thirty years of February gatherings have made the memorial a fixture of Balkan mountaineering.
Free with club registration
Participation costs nothing for registered mountaineering club members with proper winter equipment.
What happens when
February 5 – 7, 2027
- Three February daysA winter alpinism programme based in Rožaje, building toward the main ascent
- The ascentA group climb of Hajla (2,403 m) in full winter conditions — crampons and ice axes required
- The fieldClimbers from Montenegro, Serbia, BiH and Albania, honouring the memory of Safet Mavrić Ćako
Photos
Where it takes place
More events
What else is on in Montenegro around the same time.
Lim River Regatta (Limska regata)
A three-day flotilla down 130 km of the Lim, from Lake Plav to Prijepolje.
Ocean Lava Montenegro
Triathlon in the Bay of Kotor with two races (half marathon and Olympic distance) on a course through the UNESCO zone of Kotor.
Podgorica Millennium Run
Marathon, half, 10K and 5K across Podgorica's Millennium Bridge — the capital's big running day.
