Dear travelers,
This letter comes from Sebastjan, whom I met through the running group, Runs’n Coffee, in Ljubljana. When he’s not running , he’s probably off climbing rocks somewhere. I loved hearing about his trip to Macedonia, so I asked him to share his story here. Here’s his beautiful winter escape from 2020, told in his own words.
A Climber from Ljubljana
Hi, I’m Sebastjan. I’m 32 and I live in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I started bouldering in 2019 after my cousin told me about an indoor climbing gym. The idea of climbing without ropes, partners, or much gear – just shoes, chalk, and movement – felt exactly right. I signed up for recreational sessions at Balvanija and never looked back. Since then, climbing has found a permanent rhythm in my life — at least once a week, often more.
First Time in Macedonia
In February 2020, long before Prilep had become a familiar name in the climbing world, I packed into a van with six other climbers and we headed south. It was my first time in Macedonia, and the main goal was simple: climb as much as possible.
Climbing in Prilep
Prilep is still a bit of a hidden climbing spot. Not many people know about it, but it’s starting to get more popular. The rock is rough granite, which gives you great grip, but it’s also hard on your skin. After a few days, your hands start to feel it.
We used the Prilep – Macedonia: Bouldering Guidebook, a brilliant local effort born from the team at Balvanija. At 227 pages, it felt like we were exploring a new continent. Even in one full week, we only managed to explore around 30% of the area. There’s so much to climb that you could stay for months.
There’s one sector I still dream about: Šisernik, home to the Alien Block. “Cocoon” (7A) pushed me just far enough, while “Stairway to Heaven” (6B+) felt like a quiet gift. But the one that stuck was Shapeshifter (7A+), my first at that grade.
Our Climbing Week
We stayed in an apartment rented from a local who’d hosted Slovenian climbers before. I can’t remember his name, but he made us feel welcome. Our days followed a simple script: breakfast, climbing all day, dinner in town, recovery, repeat. On our one rest day, we wandered through Prilep’s old streets and hiked up to Markovi Kuli. That evening we stayed out longer, sipping rakija and letting the place sink in.
The food? Grilled meat, šopska salad, beer and yes, more rakija. Our first night’s dinner was so good, we never changed the order.
We brought all our own gear — including plenty of crashpads — and back then, there weren’t any rental options in town (though that might’ve changed by now). We climbed mostly alone, except for one day when we crossed paths with local climbers. Language wasn’t a barrier — Slovenians and Macedonians share enough Serbo-Croatian to get along just fine.
Useful Info
We brought all our own gear, including crashpads. Back then, I don’t think there was a place to rent anything, but maybe that’s changed by now.
Most of the time, we had the climbing areas all to ourselves. We climbed mostly alone, except for one day when we crossed paths with local climbers. Communication was easy since Slovenians and Macedonians can usually understand each other.
What I’d Tell You, If You’re Thinking of Going
Go. Just go.
Prilep is still a little under the radar, but that’s part of its magic. The people are warm, the food is real, and the stone is endless. You’ll want to come back. I do.
If I could do it again, I’d stay longer. A week was just a taste.
Huge thanks to Sebastjan for sharing this story with us. If you’re ever in Ljubljana and want to run, join us at Runs’n Coffee. And if you’re planning a trip to Prilep: bring chalk, good shoes, and an open mind.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
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