PONIKVA AND THE OSOGOVO MOUNTAINS

The Osogovo Mountains are the second (just after Jakupica) largest massif in our country. These mountains are spread in the eastern part of Macedonia. According to their age, the Osogovo Mountains represent old huge mountains that are characterized by rounded peaks and ridges. The highest peak of these mountains is Ruen, with a height of 2,252 meters.
The Ponikva tourist center is located about 20 km north of Kochani, at an altitude of 1,560 meters, in an area with dense beech forest and diverse vegetation. It is designed as one of the 34 winter tourist centers in the spatial plan of the Republic of Macedonia.
The natural beauties, the ecologically clean environment and the favorable climate are excellent prerequisites for the large number of tourists. In addition to Ponikva, there are other excellent locations on Osogovo region for the construction of longer ski tracks, such as the terrain under Tsarev Vrv (Sultan Tepe – 2,076 m).
There are a number of hiking and biking trails, so why not spend the time there for this kind of activity. Natural tea lovers may enjoy picking herbs. Finally, throughout Ponikva there are many springs, streams and dense forest complexes, so even a simple walk will benefit both the body and the soul.
As a special tourist attraction for hunting enthusiasts, there is also a wildlife reserve in the immediate vicinity. The commercial hunting ground-reserve offers visitors the opportunity to hunt deer, fallow deer, mouflon, wild boar, etc.
Tsarev Vrv can be climbed from two sides: from the Monastery of St. Joachim of Osogovo in Kriva Palanka and from Kochani area through Ponikva. You can go from Kriva Palanka to the monastery of St. Joachim Osogovski on foot or with your own vehicle for about 3 km on an asphalt road. The PM marking starts from the monastery and leads towards Tsarev Vrv through the village of Varovishte, Lovechka kukja (Hounting house) and Kalin Kamen. From the Lovechka kukja to the top, you walk along meadows. The hiking trail is about 25 km long in one direction, which takes you about 5 hours. There are several springs and fountains along the trail, and it is moderately strenuous.
From the Kochani side, you need to leave the Ponikva Tourist Center and follow a wide road that is used for mountain biking, adrenaline motorcycling, and even hiking.