Macedonia - a paradise for hikers

8 Days / Highlights: Mavrovo, Ohrid, Galicica, Bitola, Krusevo, Skopje

Travel itinerary

1. Day: Mavrovo

Flight to Skopje or Sofia. Depending on the flight time we will take an informative city walk in Skopje today (or day 8). We will be enchanted by the charm of the Macedonian capital, be it the new Skopje with its interesting architecture or the old Skopje - reminiscent of Turkish times. Afterwards drive to our hotel in the Mavrovo area.

2. Day: Mavrovo – Ohrid (approx. 3 hrs hike - medium)

Today we are first impressed by the massive mountains around Mavrovo. An approximately 3-hour hike in the national park shows us for the first time the multiple beauties of the Macedonian nature. After the hike we deserve a refreshment and we have the optional possibility for a Macedonian lunch in the town of Debar. Afterwards drive via Struga to our hotel in Ohrid.

3. Day: Ohrid – Sveti Naum

We start our city tour of Ohrid with a short boat trip on the lake, where we will be enchanted by the first impressions of this unique landscape. Afterwards we continue on foot, where we visit the most famous churches and of course the fortress of the Macedonian King Samuel. In the afternoon we drive to St.Naum, where we first take a romantic trip by rowboat and marvel at the underground springs of Lake Ohrid. As a crowning finale of the day we will visit the monastery St. Naum. Overnight stay in our hotel in Ohrid.

4. Day: Vlestovo – Elshani (approx. 3 hrs hike - easy)

In the morning journey by the coach to Vlestovo. Here starts our hike which leads to us through a picturesque scenery to the village Elshani . The whole area between Prespa-and Ohrid lake is named Galicica national park and is an UNESCO-world nature heritage. In the afternoon spare time in Ohrid, dinner and overnight in Ohrid.

5. Day: National park Galicica (approx. 4 hrs hike - middle)

Today two hikes are on the program. In the morning the bus takes us to the Galicica National Park, where the first and more difficult hike awaits us. Here we experience the unique variety of nature. Around noon we reach our highest point of today's hike at about 1.400m. Here we have a picnic in the green before we take a breathtaking mountain road towards Lake Prespa. We reach Brajcino, where we will get to know the wild rivers of the region during an easy hike. Overnight stay in Ohrid.

6. Day: Bitola – Prilep – Krusevo

Today we have to say goodbye to Lake Ohrid and we first drive to the town of Bitola. The city was an important base for diplomats during the Ottoman period and so we experience a conglomeration of cultures in the architecture of the city. Afterwards we visit the ancient city of Heraklea Linkestis and drive to Prilep, where we can have lunch. The highlight is the "hanging" monastery near Prilep, built into the rocks like a bird's nest. In the evening we reach our hotel in Krusevo, the highest city in Macedonia. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

7. Day: Krusevo – Winetasting– Skopje (approx. 1.5 hrs hike - easy)

Strengthened by breakfast we start our hike directly from the hotel. A unique panorama awaits us on this circular hiking trail around Krusevo. We also visit the national monument of Macedonia before we take the bus to the most famous wine region of the country. An optional lunch is the ideal base for the following included wine tasting. Afterwards a short hike, or rather digestive walk to a farm where organic sheep cheese is produced. In the evening, in a good mood from the wine tasting, we reach our hotel in Skopje. At the end of this wonderful trip we will have a Macedonian evening with music and specialties of the country.

8. Day: Departure

Depending on the flight time, city tour (see day 1) and transfer to the airport.

Country information for tour