The main starting points for climbing Ruen Peak are the “Osogovo” mountain hut, the Tri Buki area, and the village of Gyueshevo. The trails from the “Osogovo” mountain hut and the Tri Buki area follow almost exactly the same route.
The main starting point for the ascent of Mount Ruen is the Tri Buki area, located just over a kilometer past the Osogovo Hut. The route is approximately 12.5 km long. There are three water sources along the way; the hike is easy and follows a wide dirt road in the open almost the entire time. A permit from the Border Police is required to visit the peak, as it is located on the border with North Macedonia.
The start of the red-marked trail is behind a fountain near the turning point in the area. The trail initially winds through the forest, but soon emerges from it and reaches a crossroads marked by a monument. From here, turn left; in the distance, you can see the highest peaks of the Osogovo Mountains, behind which lies Mount Ruen. The trail is easy to follow. Halfway through the hike, you’ll reach the “Prevala” shelter, located at a fork where you must turn left. Shortly after that is the third and final water fountain along the route.
A little later, the winter trail markers begin. From here to the summit, there are two nearly identical routes, depending on the season. The difference between them is that the winter route passes through all the peaks to the end (Tserni Kamak, Shapka, Mali Ruen), while the summer route follows the dirt road.
A distinctive feature of the summer route is that shortly after the ruined “Shapka” shelter (below Shapka Peak), you leave the trail to the right, cross a wide pasture, and then rejoin the main trail. You follow this trail all the way to the summit of Ruen.
