North Macedonia and Albania Cycling Tour

Welcome to North Macedonia! Your guide will meet you at the airport in Skopje and accompany you to the lakeside town of Ohrid. Once you’ve settled in, your guide will prepare you for the week ahead with maps, GPS and SIM card, and an overview of the itinerary. Ohrid is a fascinating cultural hub of North Macedonia, and it sits on a beautiful lake. Feel free to explore if you arrive early and have some time to kill before dinner. Get a good night’s sleep for an early start tomorrow.

After an early breakfast, take a guided bike tour of the city accompanied by your guide who can explain the area’s history and daily life as you cruise around the picturesque town. The group will depart Ohrid and follow Lake Ohrid's perimeter towards Radozda, the day’s final destination near the Albanian border. On the way, you’ll pass several villages and make a few cultural stops. The first stop is Struga to check out the Nezlobinski museum and a grand Bazar. Continue around the lake for another break in Kalista, where religious monuments like the monastery complex and the iconic Black Madonna statue are the main attractions. Ride about 6 km until reaching tonight’s accommodation in Radozda.

After breakfast, you’ll cycle across the border into Albania. Panoramic views abound as you look back at Lake Ohrid and Galichica National Park. Today’s route brings you past several hamlets where you can get acquainted with Albanian daily practices and traditions. The road descends towards Lin, a small fishing village built on a grassy peninsula surrounded by farmland. Take a break here before getting back on your back for the push to Pogradec. Spend the late afternoon and evening exploring Pogradec as you please: check out the former Albanian ruler Erven Hoxha’s residence with your guide for a history lesson. On a lighter note, you’ll view the springs of the River Drin. Tonight’s a great night for a stroll along the lakeshore, or a glass of Albanian wine under the stars. Sleep tight in Pogradec and rest your legs for a more challenging day tomorrow.

Your legs will work today as you climb towards the elevated farmlands as you head south of Lake Ohrid. Today, you’ll stop in some farming villages and engage with the local farmers to learn about their traditional methods and crops, and sample some products. When you arrive in Korca, settle into your hotel for a quick break before heading out to the town on foot for a guided city walk. Korca is a charming town with a Paris-like ambiance thanks to its café culture and cobblestone streets. Visit Albania’s largest Orthodox church, and be prepared to snap a bunch of photos—it’s gorgeous! Enjoy a traditional Albanian dinner accompanied by tasty Albanian wine or local Korca beer.

Hop on your bike after breakfast and head east towards the second lake of this tour: Prespa Lake. Located in Prespa National Park, today’s route runs through untouched and preserved natural beauty. Admire the mountains in the distance and the vivid contrast of tan grasslands surrounding the blue lake. You’ll spend the night on the shore of Lake Prespa in a cozy guesthouse in Zrnovsko.

Fuel up on a hearty breakfast because today’s route is the longest of the tour, but arguably the most beautiful as well. Riding along the western side of Lake Prespa, which passes through the Ohrid–Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve that was created to protect the fragile ecosystems in the area. From the route, the views include a glimpse at Pelister National Park on the other side of the lake and many small villages. Cross the North Macedonian border for the final stretch to Brajcino, where you can settle into your accommodation. Have a short stroll of this enchanting town with its medieval stone architecture among a stunning natural setting of rolling green hills. After dinner, hit the pillow for some well-deserved rest.

It’s your last full day of the tour! Wake up well-rested and get a transfer to the starting point for today’s ride. If you want the 12 km ascent challenge, the group can decide to wake up earlier to ride instead of being driven. At 1,600 m / 5,249 ft, the descent towards Lake Ohrid begins. You’ll have a break in the cute village of Trpejca on the east side of the lake where the water looks crystal clear when the sun’s out. Head north along the lake’s perimeter until you reach Ohrid. Settle into the hotel then spend your final night in North Macedonia strolling and shopping for some Balkan souvenirs.

Enjoy a final breakfast with your cycling crew discussing your highlights of the past week. You’ll have a transfer to Skopje Airport once you’re packed and ready to go.