Overview
An eight day, self-guided cycling holiday exploring the ancient towns, spectacular lakes and mountain landscapes of North Macedonia. Delving into North Macedonia by bike holiday takes you on routes to the likes of Lake Ohrid, and its magical UNESCO lakeside town of the same name. One of the highest points is Galičican Pass, located in a mountain range of the same name, and perfectly located between Lakes Ohrid and Prespa. Explore ancient monasteries and churches, Ottoman and Grego-Roman architecture as well as the capital city of Skopje. Stay in 3-star hotels and family-run guesthouses, with luggage transfers.
- Kruševo
- Bitola
- Lake Prespa
- Lake Ohrid
- UNESCO site of Ohrid town
- Matka Canyon
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Skopje and transfer to Kruševo
You are met at Skopje airport by our local representative and transferred to Kruševo, a handsome small town in the central mountains of North Macedonia, and the most elevated town in the country at 1,350m. It is also famous for the first uprising against the Ottomans in 1903, and we highly recommend visiting the monument to commemorate this. It’s also a hub of traditional architecture, local arts and crafts and superb food. Our local representative brings your rental bikes to the hotel.
- Accommodation: Sveti Nikola Boutique Hotel or similar
Day 2: Kruševo – Bitola | 62km
Your first full day of cycling starts at the hotel, taking you on a route down Mount Buševa to the villages at its foothills. You can stop at the village of Obršani to climb the bell tower for the best view of the surrounding tobacco fields. Continue on to some archaeological ruins of one of the biggest ancient towns in the region, still being excavated. There are plenty of village shops along the way to buy lunch supplies. In the afternoon, continue cycling along an old road to Bitola and Heraclea Lyncestis – an ancient city built by the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II. Bitola is the second largest city in North Macedonia, with a fascinating Ottoman history and cultural heritage.
- Cycling for the day: 62km, 5h, ↑171m ↓813m
- Overnight: Hotel Teatar or similar
Day 3: Bitola – Lake Prespa | 50km
Today’s cycle starts from your hotel in Bitola, heading out along the old road to Lake Prespa. On this route you also cycle along the ancient Roman road Via Egnatia at one point. Continue up Gjavato Pass followed by a descent to Lake Prespa, where we recommend visiting the Ethnological Museum in the village of Podmočani. The cycling trail then takes you alongside Ezerani Nature Park to the other side of the lake. You stay at a lakeside hotel tonight, perfect for a cool-down swim.
- Cycling for the day: 50km, 6h, ↑752m ↓503m
- Overnight: Hotel Lakeview Oteshevo or similar
Day 4: Lake Prespa – Lake Ohrid | 45km
This morning’s cycle starts with an ascent of Mount Galičica, following an asphalt road through Galičica National Park’s dense forests. The ride starts at 860m, and takes you up over Galičica Pass at 1,590m. From the top, you are rewarded with the best views of Lake Ohrid and the surrounding mountains stretching all the way to Albania. You then cycle down on a winding road to Lake Ohrid, clinging to its shores to the idyllic town of Ohrid. Please note that if you don’t want to take on this quite challenging climb up Galičica Pass, we can book an optional transfer up to the highest point if you prefer.
- Cycling for the day: 45km, 4-5h, ↑980m ↓1,159m
- Overnight: Hotel Royal View or similar
Day 5: Ohrid
A free day to explore lakeside town of Ohrid, protected by UNESCO World Heritage status and boasting 365 Orthodox churches, an old town, the ancient Hellenistic theatre and the medieval city walls of Tsar Samuil. Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe and really is a magical spot to visit.
- Overnight: Hotel Royal View or similar
Day 6: Lake Ohrid – Vevčani | 45km
Today’s cycle is a beautiful route, back along the lake shore again, through traditional villages, all the way to the border with Albania. We recommend stopping in the lakeside town of Struga, which has a wonderful outdoor market. Your last stop before the border is Kališta Monastery, an old cave church. This is also a perfect spot for one last swim in Lake Ohrid, before heading on to Vevčani, in the foothills of Mount Jabllanica.
- Cycling for the day: 45km, 4-5h, ↑980m ↓1,159m
- Overnight: Kutmmicevica guesthouse or similar
Day 7: Matka Canyon and Skopje | 20 – 30km
After breakfast, transfer to Matka Canyon where you have a guided tour of this natural spectacle, cut to depths of 1,000m by the River Treska. It is also home to several Byzantine monasteries as well as Lake Matka. After the tour, continue by bike to your hotel in Skopje, cycle around the city streets, or take in the views from Mount Vodno (1,066m).
- Cycling for the day: 20km – 30km, distance and elevation depend on the route you choose
- Overnight: Ibis Skopje City Centre Hotel or similar
Day 8: Departure
Your tour comes to an end today, although it’s worth timing your flight or onward travel to give you more time to explore Skopje, a honeypot of mixed heritage, architecturally and culturally.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 3-star hotels and family-run guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Sveti Nikola Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Teatar
- Hotel Lakeview Oteshevo
- Kutmicevica Guesthouse
- Hotel Royal View
- Ibis Skopje City Centre Hotel
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days, and dinner is included on day six. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at the guesthouse you are staying at or at the village inns and restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for experienced cyclists and requires a good level of fitness. You will cycle on average 45km or 5-6h per day, with an average daily elevation gain of 900m. Cycling is mostly on asphalt roads, and occasionally the route passes through dirt and cobble-stoned roads (read more about difficulty grades). We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from May till the end of October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season. During the active season, the weather is normally pleasant and sunny. More rain is expected at the beginning and the end of the season, and it gets warmer during July and August.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Our recommended airport for this tour is Skopje. Arrival transfer is included from Skopje Airport.
Inclusions
Included
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary, based on two participants sharing a double or twin en-suite room
- 7 x breakfasts and one dinner on day six
- Arrival airport transfer from Skopje to Kruševo (single transfer per group)
- Transfer from Vevčani to Matka Canyon on day 7 (single transfer per group)
- Baggage transfers on cycling days
- Route navigation materials: maps and route book (one set per booking)
- GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Plane tickets
- Departure airport transfer on day 8
- Lunches and dinners (apart from the dinner on day 6)
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights before, after or during the tour
- Bike rental
- Half board package
- Optional transport to Galičica Pass on day 4 (payable locally)
Bike rental
We can provide high-quality, regularly checked rental bikes and additional equipment if requested. Both hardtail and full suspension mountain bikes are available. Note that exact models may vary depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Click to view standard bike models
Hardtail mountain bikes
Jynx Comp 650B
- Fork: SR Suntour XCR 32 650b
- Frame: A1 Premium Aluminum
- Brakes: Shimano BR-M315, hydraulic disc
- Gears: Shimano Altus, 9-speed
- Wheels: Ground Control Sport, 650bx2.1″, 60TPI
Pitch Expert 650B
- Fork: SR Suntour XCR 32 650b
- Frame: A1 Premium Aluminum
- Brakes: Shimano BR-M315, hydraulic disc
- Gears: Shimano Acera 3×9
- Wheels: Ground Control Sport, 650bx2.1″
Bianchi Magma 9.1 2019
- Fork: SR Suntour XCR32 RL-R
- Frame: Magma 29, aluminium
- Brakes: Shimano BR-MT200, hydraulic disc
- Gears: Shimano SL-M3000 2x9sp
- Wheels: Kenda Honey Badger XC 29×2.20
Full suspension mountain bikes
Ghost Kato FS 5
- Fork: Fox 32 Float Performance 130 mm
- Frame: KATO FS 27.5 Alloy AL SL
- Brakes: Shimano Disc BR-M447 180mm
- Gears: Shimano XT SL 2×11
- Wheels: Michelin Wild Grip R2 2.25
Gallery
