MARKUKULE TRAIL

Detailed Course Guide – Markukule Trail 13K

Markukule Trail 13K is the shortest yet exceptionally dynamic race of Krali Marko Trails. With a length of almost 13 km and a total elevation gain of around 730 m D+, this course is ideal for runners seeking an intense mountain experience in the heart of the protected Markovi Kuli area.

Start location and opening kilometers

Location: Amphitheater in the Varosh neighborhood (690 m a.s.l.), Prilep – a millennia-old quarter beneath the Markovi Kuli fortress.

From the start, the route climbs uphill on cobblestones, and after several hundred meters enters a narrow goat trail that steeply ascends toward the Markovi Kuli fortress. The course passes through the remains of ramparts and towers, delivering the first strong visual and historical impression of the race (~2.5 km, 945 m a.s.l.).

Shared section and movement toward Treskavec

The first ~8 km are shared with all race distances. From Markovi Kuli, the trail continues over the peak of Zelenik (993 m a.s.l.), past the area of Nakovalna, following a centuries-old and well-trodden hiking path toward the location of Crkvishte (1060 m a.s.l.), where there is a spring and a small aid station.

At 6.2 km from the start lies the most adventurous section of the shared route: a steep granite rock face approximately 50 meters high, equipped with a fixed safety cable for ascent. This section requires full concentration and careful movement.

At the 8th kilometer, the course splits:

runners in the 23K and 40K races continue straight ahead, westward toward Treskavec Monastery,

while runners in the 13K race turn left (south) and descend toward Markovi Kuli and Prilep.

Split and descent toward Prilep

At the 8 km mark, Markukule Trail 13K runners branch off to the left (south) and begin their descent toward Markovi Kuli and Prilep. This segment, known as Zagrad, is fast and rhythmic, with frequent but gentle elevation changes and an ideal surface of well-packed, soft singletrack, allowing for smooth and controlled running.

Finish beneath the towers toward Prilep

As the route approaches Markovi Kuli once again, the trail skirts the towers and continues along their right side, beneath the northwestern slopes of the fortress. A gentle and continuous descent follows toward the Varosh neighborhood and the finish at the Amphitheater—an ideal finale for a strong finish.

Elevation profile and terrain

The course ranges between 690 and approximately 1,000 m a.s.l., with dominant rocky terrain, short but intense climbs, and technical descents. Although the shortest in distance, the race demands full engagement and constant focus from start to finish.

Markukule Trail 13K is an intense mountain experience that passes through landscapes inhabited and used for millennia—places where routes converged, communities evolved, and civilizations flourished.

Feel the myth – run the legend with Krali Marko Trails.