North Macedonia & Greece - Ohrid to Kastraki

Day 1: Arrival in Ohrid, North Macedonia
Day 2: Ohrid, exploring by bike, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Ohrid - Sveti Naum, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Sveti Naum - Otesevo, 23 mi. (38 km)
Day 5: Otesevo - Bitola, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Bitola - Florina, 27 mi. or 40 mi. (45 km or 65 km)
Day 7: Florina - Agios Panteleimon, 40 mi. (65 km)
Day 8: Agios Panteleimon - Kastoria, 49 mi. (80 km)
Day 9: Rest day in Kastoria or short bike ride, 21 mi. (35 km)
Day 10: Kastoria - Grevena, 53 mi. (85 km)
Day 11: Grevena - Kastraki, 39 mi. (64 km)
Day 12: Rest day or Meteora - Pinios valley tour, 36 mi. (58 km)
Day 13: End of trip. Travel to Thessaloniki or Athens Airport or onward travel

Day 1: Arrival at Ohrid
Ohrid is your base for the next 2 days. Upon arrival at the first hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore this lovely UNESCO city. 

Sample accommodation: Hotel Bacchus

Day 2: Ohrid, exploring by bike, 25 mi. (40 km)
Included in your tour price is a tour information meeting. Depending on your arrival time, this can take place on the evening of Day 1 or the morning of Day 2. Our local representative will deliver your rental bike and tour information material and answer any questions. Be sure to take your rental bike for a test ride! 

The remainder of the day is at your leisure and many options exist. You can explore the Old Bazaar, within walking distance of your hotel, stretching along a street that goes back to the 9th century. Many ancient churches and monasteries, such as the magnificent Sveti Jovan Kaneo, were built on a cliff overhanging the lake.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Bacchus

Day 3: Ohrid – Sveti Naum, 28 mi. (45 km) | Elevation: +360m, -350m
You will begin cycling north through the valley, known for its fertile soil and many orchards, cherries, apricots, grapes, apples, and plums. The plums are mainly used to produce the national alcoholic drink, Rakia. Narrow roads, countryside, and sleepy farming villages characterize this area. You will cycle along an old volcano and continue along the east banks of  Ohrid Lake to the Bay of Bones, a reconstruction of an ancient village on the lake, dated 6000 years ago.

Sample accommodation: Sveti Naum Monastery

Day 4: Sveti Naum – Otesevo, 23 mi. (38 km) | Elevation: +890m, -740m
Today you will cycle from Lake Ohrid to Lake Prespa through the Galicica National Park. You start with a long (14 km) gradual climb to an altitude of 1550 meters with stunning views. After a long descent, you will finish at Prespa Lake, a well-known area for birding. Your historic accommodation for this evening was built in the 1950s by political prisoners of the old socialistic system.

Sample accommodation: Hotel and Resort Lakeview

Day 5: Otesevo – Bitola, 31 mi. (50 km), | Elevation: +480m, -710m
If you are an early riser, you may spot pelicans at the lake before heading off on your bike. You pedal along the lake and through orchards and small villages and begin a gradual climb on a partly cobblestone road until the pass at 1200 meters. After the descent, you peddle through the rural landscape scattered with ancient and forgotten villages. Your trip today ends in Bitola, a vibrant historical city, previously known as the trading center of the Balkans. The Ottoman domination of the past is still visible in the architecture, the cobblestone streets, and the Bazar of Bitola. Bitola is also situated at the foothills of the Pelister National Park, which is characterized by overwhelming flora and fauna.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Millenium 

Day 6: Bitola – Florina, 27 mi. or 40 mi. (45 km or 65 km) | Elevation: +100m or 760m, -120m or 780m
Your route leads into Greece today. Florina is situated at an altitude of 700 meters along the Sakoulevas River, surrounded by forests and mountains. You have a choice between two routes. The first 35km are the same for both routes and you cycle on the lower slopes of the mountains of Pelister National Park. The easier option continues in a southern direction; after 8 km, you reach Florina. The long route makes a 30 km loop through unspoiled nature with a steep climb. You will reach the summit at an altitude of 1300 meters with a descent of 600 meters over 10 km. After a beautiful descent through the valley, you reach Florina.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Lingos

Day 7: Florina – Agios Panteleimon, 40 mi. (65) | +450m, -565m
This morning, a cluster of lakes will be your backdrop, the largest being Vegoritas Lake. It is a haven for rare birds, and thus, it is a protected area. The first 25 km are almost flat through a wide valley with farmland and small villages. After that, the road gradually ascends to an altitude of 950 meters. During the last part of this 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 wineries in Greece.

Sample accommodation: Ateron Suites Hotel & Spa

Day 8: Agios Panteleimon – Kastoria, 49 mi. (80 km) | +820m, -735m
The route to Kastoria is one of the longest rides of this bike tour. You cycle along vineyards to the pretty village of Amindeo where you may have a break for a refreshing iced coffee before continuing along Chimaditida Lake, known to be a sanctuary for many birds species. An elevation gain of 500 meters over 10 km is challenging, but once reaching the top you will be rewarded with stunning views over the valley with Lake Kastoria on the horizon. After a long and smooth descent, you will reach the ancient town of Kastoria. Your hotel for the next 2 days is situated near the lake.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Kastoria

Day 9: Rest day Kastoria or short bike ride, 21 mi. (35 km)
Kastoria is a lovely old town with much to see. It lies partly on a peninsula surrounded by a large lake. During the bike trip across the peninsula, you will pass the caves of the "dragon" (tou Spileo Drakou). This 300 meters deep cave with several lakes is an absolute highlight. Remnants of bears that lived here 10,000 years ago were found in the cave. Many beautiful mansions and Byzantine monuments characterize Kastoria. You can see the massive wealth this city enjoyed long ago. On the promenade along the water, you will find lovely terraces and restaurants.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Kastoria

Day 10: Kastoria – Grevena, 53 mi. (85 km) | Elevation: +750m, -850m
You cycle south today, and after about 20 km, you will arrive at the ancient town of Argos Orestiko with its narrow streets, squares, and neoclassical buildings. This area was once known for its prosperous trade in furs and carpets. The special composition of the soil here is ideal for cultivating vegetables, such as lentils and beans. 25 km further the landscape becomes hillier and the route continues through one of Greece's most important natural habitats. In the higher mountains, wolves and brown bears have been observed. The route continues through an undulating landscape along streams, villages, and several short climbs before reaching the provincial town of Grevena. Grevena is located on the banks of the river Doxaniti Greveniti. This lively city with numerous bistros and restaurants played a strategic role during the ancient Byzantine period and was also known as the trade center in the region.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Metropolis

Day 11: Grevena – Kastraki, 39 mi. (64 km) | Elevation: +635m, -880m
After leaving Grevena, you are immediately riding through a vast natural landscape. The views are stunning with circling birds of prey in the distance. The toughest section of the day is right at the start, after 10 km the road gradually ascends for the next 15 km. You 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 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!

Sample accommodation: Hotel Kastraki

Day 12: Rest day or Meteora – Pinios valley tour, 36 mi. (58 km) | Elevation: +475m, -475m
Enjoy your last bike ride with a beautiful tour through these gigantic limestone rock formations with impressive monasteries built on top. Monks began building these monasteries in the 11th century, using ropes and ladders to lift the building materials. Today, six monasteries are all on display and are true works of art. The second part of this ride goes through the wide river valley with beautiful views of Meteora.

If you prefer to stay off your bike today, you may choose one of the great walks in this area on old cobbled footpaths that once were the only way to reach the monasteries.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Kastraki 

Day 13: End of trip. Travel to Thessaloniki or Athens Airport or onward travel
Your bike tour in North Macedonia and Greece ends after breakfast. You will leave your bike at the hotel in Kastraki.

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This bike tour in North Macedonia and Greece uses accommodations ranging from 2 to 4 star hotels. These hotels are nicely located and breakfast is included. Sample accommodations can be found in the day-to-day itinerary, keeping in mind all hotels are based on availability.

Bicycles

Standard Bike (included)

Brand: Ghost
Standard trekking bike with 24-speeds, aluminum frame, 28" wheels, and hydraulic disk brakes
Brakes: Shimano Altus
Suspension: Front Suspension
Frame sizes: (Ladies): S, M, L, (Gents): S, M, L, XL
Included: lock, pump, puncture repair kit including spare inner tube, rear luggage rack with paniers, bottle holder (with bottle)
Not included: Odometer, helmet

Electric bike

Brand: Ghost
E-bike with 24-speeds, aluminum frame, 28" wheels, and hydraulic disk brakes
Brakes: Shimano Altus
Suspension: Front suspension
Frame sizes: (Ladies): S, M, L (Gents): S, M, L, XL
Included: lock, pump, puncture repair kit including spare inner tube, rear luggage rack with paniers, bottle holder (with bottle)
Not included: Odometer, helmet