GENERALQUESTIONS

If you complete any distance of HIGHLANDER successfully, you will receive a unique experience to remember every time you look up in the sky, lifetime friends, a hard-earned HIGHLANDER Title, Pin, Patch, and Certificate.

This is a hiking adventure, not a race. Each format has a time limit by which it is necessary to walk the intended mileage. Anyone who reaches the finish line early is welcome, but there are no benefits. Also, take into account when moving that checkpoints, including the finish line, have working hours.

Yes.

To register for the event, complete the registration form on the event website and submit using the REGISTER NOW button.

Payments are made online only using a debit or credit card.

Capacity is limited, make sure you don't miss your slot and register now for the Adventure of a Lifetime!

Check the prices and what they include here.

You can register as a team using Team registration 3+1:

• 3+1 means that the team of 4 is registered - 3 registrations are purchased and 1 is complimentary.
• Choose a member of your team that will make the purchase of the whole group. Congratulations, you are now a Team Captain. During the purchase, you are asked to name the team and make a password.
• You share the name and the password with the other 3 people in your team, that register as Team Members.
• Team Members register with a price of €0 but need Team's name and password in order to register.
• The maximum in 3+1 is 4 people. There can be less, but not more. In case of fewer people, the group is not entitled to the price deduction.

Please find all relevant information here.

No, someone else can buy the entry fee for another person, but the registration must be personal. All participants must come to the Check-in in person during the Check-in open hours and personally sign the event waiver.

Minors are permitted at the event with a parent/guardian. Please download the document attached below, complete the document with the necessary information and save it as a PDF. Once you complete the registration and the payment for a parent/guardian and a minor, please, contact the organizer at stara.planina@highlanderadventure.com to send the PDF file and get further instructions.

Consents for Minor to participate:

• HIGHLANDER Hercules Stara planina, Serbia
• HIGHLANDER Pegasus Stara planina, Serbia
• HIGHLANDER Orion Stara planina, Serbia

The confirmation email is automatically sent after submitting the payment. Check your inbox and spam folders, and if confirmation is not found, please contact stara.planina@highlanderadventure.com

If this is your first time registering for an event on the Active.com platform, you will create an Active profile. Here you will have access to all registered events, and you can edit some of your personal details.

• Log in to https://myevents.active.com.    
• Scroll through the list of registered events
• Choose “Edit Registration Information”
• Make changes to custom questions etc.  
• Save changes

If you need to change other information (such as an email address), please contact stara.planina@highlanderadventure.com

All participants must register in person at the event before the start to collect the Participant's Kit and food. We do not send out the Participant's Kit by mail. You will also receive an email with Registration Check-in information one week before the event. For any additional information, you can always contact us through the official e-mail.

Transportation from Pirot to the start will be organized for all interested participants. During registration, it is necessary to declare for the option of organized transportation.

Check Travel and Accommodation section for a detailed schedule.

No. The Organizer will only provide transportation to the HIGHLANDER Start position. Any other transportation arrangements are your responsibility. We will recommend transportation from the finish line to every participant and we will be available for any additional information according to the time and possibilities that exist at the end of the event. Don't worry about transport back to Pirot, there are always easy, simple, and cheap options for transport on the spot.

Food with meat, vegetarian and vegan food. During registration, the participant chooses the type of diet. More information about the meals will be available on the official HIGHLANDER Stara planina website a few weeks before the start of the event. The organizer will adapt the meals to the habits of hikers and the needs of the participant for this type of activity, taking maximum into account the carrying and method of preparing the meal.

If you are participating with your dog please bear in mind dog food is not provided.

Of course!

However, please note that the courses are of fixed mileage, and we expect different weather conditions during the event. For example. it could be quite hot and unless the dog is used to the heat, overheating could be a challenge. For the same reason, make sure the dog is well hydrated - you'll probably need to bring 1.5 to 2 times your amount of water for the two of you.

There is no extra registration fee required but please note the dog food is your responsibility.

Dogs are allowed onboard transportation buses. Your dog must always be kept on a leash, even in the camping area where they must be taken outside of the camping area to relieve themselves. Dogs are not allowed inside any buildings including the dining hall.

We are aware some of you might want to capture your Adventure of a Lifetime by using a drone, however, however, we must point out that drones are unfortunately not allowed by the organizers. HIGHLANDER Stara planina is a large part of the trail in the border area of Stara planina (Serbia/Bulgaria) for which special permits are required. The drone or any additional personal video/photo equipment that the law implies and a certain type of permit is the sole responsibility of the participant and is carried at his own risk

Morning temperatures on Stara Planina in June can be below 8°C and during the day over 25°C. Expect rain, fog, strong wind and sunny weather. You need to prepare well for all occasions. Pack yourself!

Of course! HIGHLANDER is not for professional hikers and mountaineers only. It welcomes nature lovers hungry for activity and adventure. HIGHLANDER is very safe but some hiking experiences are required. We suggest starting a training plan in the months before the even

All participants should be physically prepared to tackle the route smoothly. We recommend 200km of light backpacking in the months before HIGHLANDER to prepare for the trail. Above all, you must be able to carry a heavy backpack (practice with 5-7 kg and increase gradually to 15-17 kg). Make sure you can walk comfortably in your backpacking shoes and break them in prior to the event.

Find more information on how to get ready here.

In general, yes. There are however areas not covered by cellular service. We recommend every participant to download off-line maps, if he orients himself on the trail that way, and to be prepared that he will cross a certain part of the trail without reaching it.

It is not difficult, but it requires a certain knowledge of orientation in nature and the use of maps, GPS devices, compasses, etc. It is important to stick to HIGHLANDER markings and existing trails, regardless of the orientation method used. Dojkinci, Gostusa and Temska are the closest villages on the trail and checkpoints with trained staff are 20-25 km apart. Always keep the map in hand and follow the signposts to stay on course and arrive safely to your destination.

Yes, at each control point the participant must stop to put a stamp in the passport (HIGHLANDER ID), which is proof that the participant has passed the recommended route. There are recommended camping checkpoints on the trail.

Upon arrival at each checkpoint, volunteers will stamp a HIGHLANDER ID. Checkpoints have specific opening hours. During non-working hours of the checkpoint, the stamp in the HIGHLANDER ID is entered by the participant. Also, checkpoints that do not have volunteers, the participant himself stamps his HIGHLANDER ID.

Bivouacing is recommended within the checkpoints. A participant can sleep outside these places only if he has extremely justified reasons. Please note that each participant is responsible for their own movement and behavior and that any risk of sleeping outside the checkpoints is not the responsibility of the organizer. Also, the participants are reminded that the availability of water and food provided is possible only at the indicated control points during certain working hours

Designated bivouacking sites are on the Checkpoints for each HIGHLANDER format or in close vicinity, and you are required to camp on these sites.

No. Sleeping is only permitted in tents and in sleeping bags which are mandatory HIGHLANDER gear for all participants. Mountain lodges and huts have limited space and could not accommodate all HIGHLANDER participants. Sleeping in a tent is a special experience and one of the best parts of a true backpacking adventure.

A great idea!

Checkpoint staff is trained for such cases. Feel free to consult them with any gear malfunction or similar issues.

Yes. Gear that can be shared includes tent, gas/gasoline/alcohol cooker, compass, first aid kit. Participants sharing gear must reach checkpoints and finish within 30 minutes apart.

Please contact the organizer at stara.planina@highlanderadventure.com