Strezimir–Restelica Border Crossing

The southernmost point in Kosovo

A yellow diamond-shaped sign that reads 'Border Crossing' in bold black letters.

The Strezimir–Restelica border crossing is a seasonal mountain checkpoint linking North Macedonia and Kosovo via the R113 road. It is a temporary, seasonal crossing typically open from June to September between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. The road surface changes at the border with the North Macedonian side being gravel and rutted tracks which might cause problems for non 4×4 vehicles. I visited this point as part of the IBRG WEBTEX -26 expedition after visiting the ALKVMK tripoint.

It operates strictly as a seasonal, local-only Category C crossing created primarily for local residents and members of the Goran minority living in nearby villages (such as Urvič and Jelovjane in North Macedonia and Restelica in Kosovo). The Gorani are a distinct South Slavic-speaking, predominantly Muslim ethnic minority native to the mountainous Gora region, which straddles the borders of southern Kosovo, northeastern Albania, and northwestern North Macedonia. They speak the Gorani dialect, are Sunni Muslim with some communities retaining unique pre-Islamic or mixed cultural traditions.

There are no passport-stamping booths, insurance offices, or permanent facilities at the post.

While rare or difficult to arrange independently, hikers or cyclists (such as those on the High Scardus Trail) have occasionally crossed by obtaining advance special cross-border and national park permits through local outdoor guides

Map showing the border crossing between North Macedonia and Kosovo, labeled with 'ALKVMK' and 'Border Crossing'.
Click on map above to access Google maps location

We drove the short distance from where our car was parked for our ALKVMK trek. The landscape was awesome and the border crossing with its signs, markers and flag was really interesting to visit, being a “compass point” the most southernly point of Kosovo was an added bonus.

A winding dirt road leads into a mountainous landscape with rolling hills in the background. A signpost is prominently displayed on the roadside, warning of a restricted border zone.
Note the surface change
A group of five people standing on a rural road, with a car parked nearby and a flagpole displaying a flag under a clear blue sky.
Members of IBRG investigating the border.
A flag featuring a yellow map silhouette against a dark background, flying on a flagpole with a clear sky in the background.
A man stands next to a large sign that reads 'Attention! Border zone. Only persons with permission are allowed.' The background features rolling hills and clear blue skies.
Mike
A person standing beside a large sign warning of a border zone, written in multiple languages, indicating that only authorized individuals are allowed.
Eva
A person standing next to a warning sign stating 'Attention! Border zone. Only persons with permission are allowed.' The background features a hilly landscape under a clear blue sky.
A person standing next to a large sign that reads 'Attention! Border zone: Only persons with permission are allowed.' in both Russian and English, set against a scenic mountainous landscape.
Steen
A man standing beside a large warning sign in a border area, with mountains in the background. The sign reads 'Attention! Border zone. Only persons with permission are allowed.'
Jesper
A panoramic view of rolling hills and a valley under a clear sky, with sparse vegetation and scattered rocky terrain in the foreground.
Looking down into North Macedonia

Border markers

There was a border marker on each side of the road.

A weathered concrete boundary marker with two compartments, situated on a dirt path surrounded by grass and rocks.
A warning sign in a border zone, written in Russian and English, stating that only persons with permission are allowed.
A concrete milestone marked with 'R' in a grassy landscape, overlooking a winding road in a valley surrounded by hills.
Looking down into North Macedonia
A weathered concrete mile marker with 'PM' painted on the front, surrounded by dry grass and small plants beside a road.

Celebrations

The obligatory group shot!!

A group of seven people posed in front of a warning sign that reads 'Attention! Border zone. Only persons with permission are allowed.' The background features hilly terrain and grasslands.
A simple graphic of a calendar with a grid layout and three binding rings at the top.

Date of Visit: 29 August 2026

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