One of the reasons we chose Bitola as our base during our North Macedonia road trip was its location. Sitting on the southern slopes of Pelister Mountain, Bitola offers direct access to one of the country’s oldest national parks while still providing all the comforts of a lively city filled with cafés, restaurants and history.
We intended to spend several days exploring some of Pelister National Park‘s best hiking trails, visiting mountain lakes, alpine viewpoints and remote forests before continuing our road trip.
Only one day after arriving, we came to know that authorities had announced an official prohibition on entering large parts of Pelister National Park because of the extreme wildfire danger. With temperatures soaring and forests becoming increasingly dry, the Forestry Authorities closed access to protect both visitors and the mountain itself.
Although disappointing, respecting these restrictions was never a question. The mountains will always be there, and protecting them comes before reaching another summit.
A short but incredibly rewarding walk from Dihovo to the crystal clear waters of Kapejnci.
Olympus Mountaineering 