The Osogovo Mountains or Osogovo — a high and massive mountain massif that dominates the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia. It is located between the Slavishka Kotlina in the north, the Kumanovska Kotlina in the northwest, the Probishtip-Zletovo basin in the west, the Kochanska Kotlina in the south, Pijanec in the southeast and the Strum basin with the Kyustendilka Kotlina in the east on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
As a natural entity that stretches across two countries, the Osogovo mountain massif covers a total area of ​​1,535 km2, of which 1,102 km2 or 71.8% belong to the Republic of Macedonia, while 443 km2 or 28.2% belong to the Republic of Bulgaria. In terms of its area, it is the second mountain massif in the Republic of Macedonia, after the Jakupica mountain massif (Mokra Planina). The highest peak is Rouen (2,252 m), and besides it, 5 other peaks are higher than 2,000 m, among which is Tsarev peak.
The Osogovo mountain massif tectonically belongs to the Serbian-Macedonian massif, which represents an old landmass on the Balkan Peninsula. The tectonic movements with which this mountain was affected caused it to be raised, fractured and crushed, whereby it was formed as a horst. The geological composition is represented by Precambrian metamorphites and Paleozoic shales. During the Tertiary period, intense volcanic activity took place, which made possible the creation of large reserves of lead-zinc ore.
The relief of the Osogovo mountain massif is represented by high, flattened and long mountain ridges, which are separated from each other by deep river valleys, volcanic mounds and craters. The most famous were the Ruen hill, a watershed between the Vardar and Struma basins; Sokolsko was; Kalinkamensko ridge; Kostadinečko-lisečko, which is a watershed between Pcinja and Bregalnica; Lopensko mountain; D›lgidelsko bilo and others. In addition to the ridges, river valleys with gorges are a significant relief element. The most famous are the valleys of Toranicka Reka (source of Kriva Reka), Kamenička Reka, Orizarska Reka, Zletovska Reka, etc.
The flora differs according to the vertical distribution:
Submountainous zone up to 1,000 m where oak, elm, hornbeam, ash, hazel and similar trees grow; Mountain zone of 1,000-1,800m, where beech prevails; A subalpine zone that is covered with grass and juniper bushes.
There are many legends about how Osogovo got its name, but the most famous is the one according to which it comes from the old Saxon miners who mined gold and silver in this area in the past. The story goes that the name was created by combining the Old German words “osso” (lord) and “gov” (place), which means “God’s place”.

The top of Tsarev Vrv can be accessed from two sides: the Krivopalanec monastery of St. Joakim Osogovski and from Kočani via Ponikva.
From Kriva Palanka to Man. St. Joakim Osogovski has about 3 km. In man. you can spend the night in lodgings because there is no plan on this mountain. home. The marking starts from the monastery. From the monastery, the path to Tsarev Vrv leads through the village of Varovishte, Lovechka Kuća, Kalin Kamen, Tsarev Vrv. From the Hunting House to the top, you walk along meadows. The hiking trail is about 25 km long in one direction, which takes you 5 hours. There are several springs and fountains along the path. The trail is moderately difficult.

Kočani side – the marking for the hiking trail starts from the end of Kočani, the end of the street “14th Brigade” continues under the landfill, above the village. Crvena Niva passes through a forested area with breccia and pine all the way to the asphalt, it passes by the Zmbava fountain. Then it continues along D’ga Ridina all the way to the asphalt. Cutting the asphalt road, it continues through Leshki Hill. About 500 meters in front of a forest house, there is an asphalt road. It continues along it, after 200 meters from the forest house. Leave the asphalt road (right) and continue along the old road (carriage road) to Ponikva. It takes 5 hours from the city to Ponikva. Ponikva can be reached by an asphalt road of about 20 km.
From Ponikva, the path to Tsarev Vrv continues along a wide road, with a shortcut at the ZZ Galeb mountain hut, about half an hour before the top, you leave the wide road (to the right) and go all the way through meadows, the path is well marked. In the second part of the route, you should be careful at the intersections because there are quite a few of them. This part of the trail takes you 5 hours