Biking Mountains And Lakes Tour

- Hotel to hotel
- 3 Nights
- Max 60 km per day
- Choice of moderate to challenging routes
- 3 days cycling
- May to October

Overview

A weekend for some of the best cultural and historical sites in North Macedonia. Start from Bitola, the city with more than 1600 years of urban tradition; cycle through the bird habitat by Lake Prespa and in national park Galicica; swim in the oldest and deepest lake in Europe; walk in the old town of Ohrid – a true time travel through the many layers of history of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

End this long weekend in a laid-back village style: get to know the locals of Vevcani, taste their excellent homemade food, and take a walk in the nature around Vevchani Springs.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Bitola – Oteshevo (Prespa Lake)
Day 2: Oteshevo, Galichica,Ohrid
Day 3: Relaxing day in Ohrid
Day 4: Ohrid – Vevchani

Highlights:

Bitola is the former city of consulates and embassies, today one of the most beautiful cities in Macedonia which managed to maintain its 18th and 19th century neoclassical architecture and monuments. While in Bitola, don’t miss:

- Shirok Sokak
- The Old Bazaar
- Heraclea Lyncestis
- Museum of Bitola

The Ethno Museum in the village of Podmochani, with an impressive collection of over 2000 exhibits.

Birdwatching in Prespa Lake

Galicica National Park: With 130 different types of trees and shrubs, many of which are relict.

Ohrid Lake: The deepest and oldest lake in Europe, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Bay of Bones: An authentic reconstruction of a part of the pile-dwelling settlement dating back to 1200 BC.

Ohrid: The pearl of the Balkans, also known as the Jerusalem of the Balkans, for its amazing historical, religious, and cultural heritage. The major attractions of Ohrid are located within a walkable area, among and above the narrow cobblestoned streets of the old town, lined with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops.

Some must-see sites in Ohrid:

- St Sofia Church: The treasure of medieval architecture and painting with frescoes are best-preserved examples of Byzantine monumental activities from the period between the 10th and 13th centuries.

- Ancient Theatre: Renewed piece of history in the heart of Ohrid. It was first dedicated to Dionysus and the muses of poetry and theater games, and later it served as a gladiatorial arena for battles. Today, it is a host to world artists such as Jose Carreras, Tina Gorina, and the conductor David Himenez.

- Tsar Samuil Fortress: The shield of Ohrid has protected the city from the tribes’ invasion since the 5th century.

- The Handmade Papermaker: If you like the history of books and writings, this workshop is a must to visit, with one of the two remaining (and operating!) Gutenberg press machines in the World.

- Struga: The city of poetry, where River Drim flows out of Ohrid Lake. The beach with many restaurants and cafes is on your left. On your right, you can enter the old town and the busy open market.

- Kalishta Monastery: The Nativity of the Holy Mother of God is the oldest part of the monastery: it was built in the 14th century and is completely preserved with no restoration works. You will also find three monk cells carved in these rocks.

- Vevchani Village: The Vevchani people have always been known as skillful builders – this can be seen in the typical village architecture. It is also the place visited by many tourists, including Macedonians, for their good, traditional homemade food.

- Vevchani springs. Declared a Monument of Nature. The biggest spring comes out of a cave above the village and converges together with 10 minor springs below.

Difficulty Grading:

MODERATE
up to 75km / 46mi
hilly terrain with moderate uphills
Regular cyclists, who are used to longer rides and are happy to take an uphill, or two along the way
NOTE: One long uphill on day 2. Transfer can be arranged to the mountain pass. Please contact the agency for more details.

Itinerary:

DAY 1: Bitola

As you leave urban Bitola, you enter the old local road that used to connect Bitola with Prespa Lake in the times of Yugoslavia. Today it is rarely used, as it hasn’t been maintained since the opening of the new motorway from Bitola to Prespa, and it is still covered with cobblestone in parts. One part of this road is on the ancient route of the Roman road Via Egnatia, built over the old Candavian Road some 2.200 years ago.

You will know that you are close to Lake Prespa when you notice the apple orchards around you. It is the region that supplies all of the Balkans with apples.

DAY 2: Galicica National Park

A beautiful and challenging cycling route over Mount Galicica, with wonderful views over the two biggest lakes in North Macedonia. Once you leave Prespa Lake behind, you will enter Galicica National Park. Here you start a 14km long uphill (860m to 1590m) on a curvy narrow road leading to Mount Galicica pass. (if you think that this is too challenging for you, please ask our agents to arrange a transfer up to the mountain pass, so you can enjoy riding only the downhill to the lake, and by the lake coast).

Don’t rush to your destination, take some time to stop and visit Trpejca fishing village, with a lovely beach hidden between the rocks by Ohrid Lake. There are also a couple of fish restaurants on the shore where you can enjoy fresh trout for lunch. Also, we recommend making one more stop on your way to visit the archaeological site on water – the Bay of Bones.

Cycling: 5h (55 km, ascent 1.298 m, descent 1.328 m)

Optional: Transfer to Galicica Pass where you can continue riding down to Ohrid Lake.

DAY 3: Ohrid

A day to relax and explore Ohrid. Ohrid Lake is considered the oldest lake in Europe, whilst the historic heart of the town is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, with archaeological sites from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Hellenistic periods.

Take a stroll through the cobblestoned alleys of the Ohrid old town, see Tzar Samoil’s fortress, shop for Ohrid pearls, and visit the unique workshop for hand-made paper and the open food market, where locals meet each day and sell fresh fish, delicious tomatoes, red paprika, and watermelons.

Take a boating tour and dine at the fisherman’s house, visit the ancient Bay of Bones on a kayak, and enjoy swimming on a hidden beach. Learn about the Cyrillic script at its birthplace, at St Naum monastery.

Cycling: No Cycling

DAY 4: Ohrid

You will be riding on the scenic local road along the lake coast from Ohrid to the villages before the border with Albania. A nice stop on the route is the colorful Struga open market, with a great choice of fresh fruit and veggies, along with all housewares and souvenirs. Your last stop before the border is Kalishta Monastery with the icon of the Holly Mother painted black.

Next to the church, you will find the entrance that leads you up the stairs to an old cave church and a few monk cells dug into the rocks centuries ago. Here would be also the place for your last swim in Ohrid Lake before you head to Jablanica Mountain, and to Vevchani village at its foothills, which is your destination. Treat yourself to a tasty homemade dinner in one of the guesthouses in Vevchani.

Cycling: 5h (52 km, ascent 614 m, descent 440 m)

When To Go:

Possible: 01 May – 31 May and 15 October to 01 November
Recommended: 01 June– 14 October
Not available: All other dates

Price:

Available on request

INCLUDED IN PRICE:

Accommodation based on 2 participants sharing a double room

Luggage transfers

Detailed cycling route descriptions and maps

Local safety information and contacts

Stand-by support (cell phone and contact person)

Organization and logistics by Macedonia Travel

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Airplane tickets to/from Skopje

Personal medical and travel insurance (mandatory)

Any extra expenses not mentioned under "included in the price"

OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS:

Supplement for single room accommodation: 120€

Vegetarian and vegan meals available on request

Private arrival/departure transfers available upon request

Rent of bike: on request;

Rent of Global Positioning System (GPS) console.

Bike Information:

Available on request.