Balkans Cycling Adventure – BCA. Cycle Day 5: Bitola to Ohrid, North Macedonia. 70 km 781 vm.
Sunshine & hills. First hill we followed the route which took us up an old, cobbled road rejoining the A3 main road at the top. Quiet and peaceful but slow and rough. Wildlife – snake crossing his path. At the top we came across the entrance to the Pelister National Park. Location of bears and wolves. Second hill we chose the A3 over the side road. Very steady climb of 6km at between 5-7%. Had traffic – but they were good and we had the benefit of an extra slow lane. Another great apartment near the centre of town. Bustling nightlife in this popular tourist town. The place for Ohrid Pearls.
2 nights here giving us a rest day to explore Ohrid on Lake Ohrid. Pop 46k. Originally called Lychnides (City of Light). Known as the Jerusalem of the Balkans with its 365 churches. Lake Ohrid – one of the oldest lakes and biotopes in the world, listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. 358 sq.km, shoreline 87.5km, 31km long, 15km wide. About 40 rivers and springs flow into the lake (23 Albanian and 17 North Macedonian). We took a Taxi boat (traditional boat) around the coast towards Kaneo fishing village. From here a steep walk up to Church of Sveti Jovan at Kaneo 13thC on a cliff overlooking the lake. Then on up to the fortress built by Philip ll of Macedon in 4th C BC. The Ancient theatre of Ohrid of the Hellenistic period. It was built in 200 BC and is the only Hellenistic-type theatre in the country. Found relatively recently amongst houses.
Sveti Kliment Ohridski street paved in colourful slate, lined with cafes and shops, and an enormous, 900 (1000)-year-old plane tree in market square (Činar). Old Town with characteristic architecture & steep cobbled streets and a walk on the Ohrid boardwalk. Found the home of the Gutenberg Press – 16thC paper making, printing.
Cycle Day 5 of 45 over 10 weeks cycle touring covering over 2400km in a loop circuit of the West Balkans in Europe through 8 countries. Connal Kit for all your cycling touring clothing. Connal Tours European Cycling Tour 2024. connalkit.com.au 6May2024.
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