Cycling in North Macedonia and Greek Macedonia: Ohrid to Meteora

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Day 1: Arrival 

Arrive on your own to the town of Ohrid, your base for the next 2 days. Depending on your arrival time, you can schedule your welcome meeting with our local representative who will hand you your bikes, make all the necessary personal adjustments and give you a briefing on the tour. You can also do this on the next day if you arrive late or prefer to relax for the rest of the day.

• Accommodation: Hotel Lebed or similar

Day 2: Explore Ohrid

You have the whole day to explore the cultural riches of Ohrid. A must-see is the old town of Ohrid, a true open-air museum with beautiful ancient churches, such as the magnificent Sveti Jovan Kaneo built on an overhanging cliff above the lake and Sveti Clement at Plaosnik with its frescoes and icons. At the top of the hill above the town, you will find the remains of the medieval castle of the Bulgarian Tsar Samuil, which was built around 1018 AD. From the castle, you have a magnificent view of Ohrid and the lake. You also can get on a fantastic boat trip, enjoying the tranquillity of the lake. Our recommendation for the evening is tasting the local trout in some of the cosy restaurants on the lake promenade.

• Accommodation: Hotel Lebed or similar

Day 3: Ohrid – Sveti Naum | 45km

The trip today begins with cycling north through a valley known for its fertile soil and many orchards. Cherries, apricots, grapes, apples will surround you all the way, and you will also see a lot of plums used for the production of the national alcoholic drink: Rakia. Narrow roads, countryside and sleepy farming villages characterise this area. You cycle along an old volcano and continue along the Ohrid lake’s east banks to the Bay of Bones: a reconstruction of an ancient village on the lake, dated to be 6,000 years old.

• Cycling for the day: 45km, ↑­­­­360m ↓350m
• Accommodation: Hotel St. Naum

Day 4: Sveti Naum – Otesevo | 38km

You cycle from lake Ohrid to lake Prespa through the Galichitza mountain, separating the two. The route starts with a long (14km) gradual climb to an altitude of 1,550, revealing many stunning views. After a long descent, you finish at the Prespa lake. The hotel is located directly on the lake which is known for its rare birdlife. 

• Cycling for the day: 38km, ↑­­­­890m ↓740m
• Accommodation: Hotel Lakeview or similar

Day 5: Otesevo – Bitola | 50km

Wake up early in the morning to spot the pelicans at the lake before heading on your bike ride. You cycle along the lake through orchards and small villages, starting to ascend on a partly cobblestone road until the pass at 1,200. After the descent, you peddle through the rural landscape scattered with ancient and forgotten villages. Your trip today ends in Bitola, a vibrant city with a long history as a major trading centre of the Balkans. The Ottoman rule of the past can still be seen in the streets: Ottoman architecture, the cobblestone streets and the bazaar of Bitola. 

• Cycling for the day: 50km, ↑­­­­480m ↓710m
• Accommodation: Hotel Teatar or similar

Day 6: Bitola – Florina | 45-65km

Today you cross the border with Greece. Florina is the Florina prefecture capital situated at an altitude of 700m along the river Sakoulevas, surrounded by forests and mountains.  Today you have a choice between two routes, and the first 35km are the same for both of them and you cycle on the lower slopes of the mountains of the Pelister National Park. The easier option continues in a southern direction, and after 8km you reach Florina. The long route makes a 30km loop through unspoiled nature with a steep climb. You will reach the summit at an altitude of 1,300m with a descent of 600m over 10km. After a beautiful descent through the valley, you reach Florina.

• Cycling for the day (option 1): 45km, ↑100m ↓120m
• Cycling for the day (option 2): 65km, ↑­­­­760m ↓780m
• Accommodation: Hotel Lingos or similar

Day 7: Florina – Agios Panteleimon | 65km

Today you will cycle north towards a cluster of lakes, the largest one being Vegoritas lake. The lakes are interconnected with each other through a variety of channels and tunnels. The Vegoritas lake is a haven for rare birds and is a protected area. The first 25km are almost flat through a wide valley with farmland and small villages. After that, the road gradually ascends to an altitude of 950m. For the last part of today’s ride, you will cycle along the lake to the final destination Agios Panteleimon. You can make an optional visit to the winery Alpha Estates, one of the best in Greece.

• Cycling for the day: 65km, ↑­­­­450m ↓565m
• Accommodation: Hotel Limni or similar

Day 8: Agios Panteleimon – Kastoria | 80km

The route to Kastoria is one of the longest rides of the trip. You cycle along vineyards to the pretty village of Amindeo where you may have a break for a refreshing ice coffee before continuing along Chimaditida Lake, known to be a haven for many birds species. An elevation gain of 500m over 10km is challenging, but you will be rewarded with stunning views over the valley with lake Kastoria on the horizon once reaching the top. After a long and smooth descent, you will reach the ancient town of Kastoria. The hotel for the next 2 days is situated near the lake.

• Cycling for the day: 80km, ↑­­­­820 m ↓735 m
• Accommodation:  Hotel Kastoria or similar

Day 9: Rest day or short bike ride around the lake | 35km

Kastoria is a nice old town with lots of things to see. It lies partly on a peninsula surrounded by a large lake which is surrounded by plane trees. If you get on a bike trip across the peninsula, you will pass the caves of the “dragon” (tou Spileo Drakou). This 300m deep cave with several lakes, is a must-see. Remnants of bears that lived here 10,000 years ago were found in the cave. Kastoria is characterized by many beautiful mansions and Byzantine monuments, indicating how wealthy this city has been seen in the past. On the promenade along the water, you will find great terraces and restaurants.

• Cycling for the day: optional around the town, approx. 35km
• Accommodation: Hotel Kastoria or similar

Day 10: Kastoria – Grevena | 64km

You cycle south today. After about 20km arrive at the ancient town of Argos Orestiko with its narrow streets, squares and neoclassical buildings indicating that this area has experienced great prosperity in the past centuries by trade in furs and carpets. The special composition of the soil in this area is ideal for the cultivation of vegetables, such as lentils and beans. 25km further, the landscape becomes hillier, and the route continues through one of the most important natural habitats of Greece. The route continues through an undulating landscape along streams and villages and several short climbs emerging rapidly on the horizon, before reaching the town of Grevena, located on the river Doxaniti Greveniti. This lively city with numerous bistros and restaurants played an important strategic role during the ancient Byzantine period and was also known as the region’s trade centre.

• Cycling for the day: 64km, ↑­­­­635m ↓880m
• Accommodation: Hotel Metropolis or similar

Day 11: Grevena – Kastraki | 58km

After leaving Grevena, you are immediately riding through a vast natural landscape. The views are stunning with birds circling for prey in the distance. The toughest section of the day is right at the starts of the ride. After 10km the road gradually ascends for the next 15km. You will reach the highest point of the route and then enjoy a long descent into the wide valley of the river Pinios. Once this ‘plain of Thessaly’ was an inland sea. Now you see huge rock formations shaped by wind and water erosion, millions of years ago. On the top of these huge granite pillars, monks built impressive monasteries, Megalo Meteoron being the most famous.  Your overnight location for the next two days is next to the rock formations and waking up to this view is a feast for the eyes! 

• Cycling for the day: 58km, ↑­­­­475m ↓475m
• Accommodation:  Hotel Kastraki or similar

Day 12: Meteora | 58km

Enjoy your last bike ride with a beautiful tour along these gigantic limestone rock formations with the impressive monasteries built on top. Monks began building these monasteries in the 11th century, using ropes and ladders for lifting the building materials. Nowadays, six monasteries are all on display and are true works of art. The second part of the ride goes through the wide river valley with beautiful views of Meteora. If you don’t fancy cycling today, you may prefer to choose one of the great walks in this area and walk on old cobbled footpaths that once were the only way to reach the monasteries.

• Cycling for the day: 58km, ↑­­­­475m ↓475m
• Accommodation: Hotel Kastraki or similar

Day 13: Departure 

After breakfast, you officially finish the trip leaving your bikes at the hotel in Kastraki.
You may travel to Thessaloniki or Athens or any other destination in Greece. You can also book additional nights in one of our preferred city hotels in Thessaloniki or Athens.

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*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.