Cycling in North Macedonia: Ohrid Lake

In the series ‘The Tears of Tito’, Iva Bicanic goes back to the former Yugoslavia, searching for stories. So she also went to Northern Macedonia, which is well known to many for… well, what exactly? Besides the capital Skopje, Northern Macedonia is best known for its various lakes. Interestingly, Northern Macedonia shares a number of lakes with neighboring countries. For example, it Prespa Lake Partly in Greece and Albania, the Lake of Doiran is also partly Greek and the most important lake, Ohrid, is also shared with Albania. Lake Ohrid is the most beautiful and most special of the three. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the deepest lake in Europe, at 288 meters. The city of Ohrid is the most important place but Sveti Naum is also interesting. Cycling in North Macedonia is not possible without a tour around Lake Ohrid. It is a fantastic route.

Basecamp Ohrid

The charming town of Ohrid is located on the north-east side of the lake. The town itself is a perfect base for a cycling holiday in and around the lake. If you have some time to spare, it is well worth visiting Ohrid even more closely. The town (and the lake, of course) are therefore on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe. They worked on it for a long time, because the city was built over almost 12 centuries, between the 7th and 19th century. You can find all kinds of historical buildings there, including the St. Panteleimon monastery, but also remains of churches and other religious buildings. Cycling in North Macedonia is not more beautiful than this.

Easy rider

The route around the lake is not the most challenging, if you only follow the route along the edge of the lake. In total, the route is 90 kilometers with a small climb, the Kafasanpass in the Albanian part. A total of 35 kilometers of the route go through the neighboring country. Still, we have added a small bit of ‘spice’ by including the climb to Galičica. That makes it a bit longer, but also a whole lot more beautiful. At the top, you can see both the Prespa and Ohrid lakes. That’s a climb of 850 meters in height and 15 kilometers in length worth it! North Macedonia at its best, with a part of neighboring Albania Greece You can see it.

Let's go

From Ohrid we head south. We follow the P1301, the local route. The asphalt is in good condition and for the first twenty kilometers it is a bit hilly, but you don’t really have to get off the saddle. The beautiful lake on the left is a bit further away in the first kilometers, but at Dolno Konjsko you get a nice view over the lake. It’s clear why this region is on the UNESCO list. After 13 kilometers you have to deal with a very steep stretch. About 200 meters of ten percent incline. Meanwhile, you also pass by the Bay of Bones. This museum “Plocha Michov Grad”, is a place of great historical significance. Not a convenient stop for a real cycling trip, but well worth visiting. Further along the road, after 20 kilometers you come to the bottom of the climb to Galičica.

Galičica

This climb makes the round around Ohrid even more interesting. The climb actually starts right along the lake route. The first 2,200 meters are still the coastal road, and then you turn left to start the climb. Here begins thirteen kilometers of pure pleasure. You cross 690 meters of altitude here, and if you go all the way to the top you have another 1,200 meters of flat ground and a descent. After four kilometers on this climb, the first part is quite manageable, but then you come to a very steep section. It goes for half a kilometer above 10% and you drive over beautiful hairpin bends. Two kilometers later it is still quite steep, but after that it no longer gets into double digits. That’s nice too, because that way you can enjoy the beautiful view and the surroundings. The pictures speak for themselves.

Descending to Albania

Once you’re up there, it’s advisable to stop and take a look at both lakes. Unfortunately, there’s no coffee shop or tourist stop up there, so you’ll have to do it with the view over Prespa and Ohrid only. After that, you descend again (a brilliant descent, but be careful of traffic) and turn left at the bottom towards Albania. You drive a little further into the interior and halfway through the total distance you reach the monastery of St. Naum. This is also a beautiful place and one of the most beautiful monasteries in North Macedonia.

Amazing Albania

We have already done this part of the route in the reverse direction. described. That this is also beautiful should come as no surprise. For 35 kilometers you follow the lake before reaching a beautiful hill in the last ten kilometers, heading towards the border with North Macedonia. If you are still looking for a nice lunch stop, you can find several great places by the water along the southern coast of Lake Ohrid, near Pogradec. We recommend: Smoked Duck. You won't be surprised by what's on the menu, but it's high quality!

After a good lunch, it’s another 20 kilometers to the climb. Halfway up this climb, you’re (happily) surprised by a few hundred meters above 10%. Then you have to push a little, but otherwise this hill isn’t much of a challenge. About three percent on the almost seven-kilometer length on average. The top is about on the border, with nice views. There is a café near the border where you can stop for a while to recharge your energy for the last 30 kilometers. Those aren’t particularly tough, but after more than 90 kilometers it’s not an unnecessary luxury.

Final stretch

The last 30 kilometers are also pure enjoyment. After the border, you drive a few kilometers inland. At Kalishta, we pick up the route along the lake again and it’s complete enjoyment all the way to the finish in Ohrid. Follow the route via Struga to Ohrid and you have a wonderful day on the bike behind you!

Would you like to go there sometime?