If you start from the north, the perfect route looks like this:
Matka Canyon.
Although you can ride only a tiny part of it, it’s really worth parking the bike and hiking the narrow trail! If I had more time, I would’ve definitely opted for some water activities, too!
Mavrovo National Park. Enjoy the perfect curves and gorgeous views!
And arrive to Ohrid Lake for the sunset π₯°
And definitely definitely spend one day at the lake. Walk the cobblestone roads, take countless photos of all the churches, go for a swim in the clear water of the lake. The whole set up is just like a fairy tale: cute boats parked along the shore, swans performing their evening promenade, and oh those sunsets π₯°
Sometimes, on very special occasions, I take off the helmet and put on a dress.
Ohrid happened to be such an occasion. Asking for a dress. So elegant and romantic.
That’s all wonderful but what’s next?
After Ohrid it wouldβve been an obvious choice to cross the border to Greece, itβs just a short ride away. The whole goal of this trip which started almost 9 months ago has been to get to Greece. And we’re so close!
Well, it looks like baby bee is avoiding Greece at all costs π Because instead of going to Greece we headed to Bulgaria.
Why? Two reasons mainly:
1. I donβt want to just sprint through Greece, I want to ride both the mountains and the coast, do a few hikes, enjoy the beaches. And according to my very rough estimates weβd need about three weeks for it. And we just donβt have that much time now.
2. The gasoline prices in Greece are just way too high: 2.3β¬ for a liter of 95 is way above what I want to be paying π¬
So Bulgaria it is!
We rode along the fantastic Ohrid lake, and through the GaliΔica National park over to the Prespa lake. The first half of the road has gorgeous views but horrible asphalt, while the second half is a brand new road with wonderful curves, very fun ride! And then we noticed some mean looking clouds behind us, so we tried to get away from them and rode pretty much non stop until Strumica, where we finally stopped for an ice coffee.
It was a hot day π₯΅ but beautiful scenery which kept us well-entertained. Crossed the border and watched the sun set over Bulgarian mountains π₯°