THE BORDER LINE TRAIL

  • Overview

  • Itinerary

  • Location

  • Photos

Dates

September-October

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

8 Days

Group

4-8

About THE BORDER LINE TRAIL

On this tour you will have the unique experience to explore the mountain ridges that are part of the border between Greece and Albania. You will visit locations where  historical battles of the WW2 and the Greek Civil War took place.  
 

You will cycle along the banks of the oldest lakes in Europe. And most of all, you will have the opportunity to relax in the earthly vibes the Prespa Lakes offer you. Welcome to Border Line Trails!

Tour Highlights

The remote Grammos mountain range

Aetomilitsa – the village in the sky

The Prespes Lakes

Askitaria- the monks caves

Orthodox churches and monasteries

Awe-inspiring Death’s Cliff

WW2 and Greek Civil War battlefield

Included

7 nights accommodation

All Transfers From Day1 to Day8

Luggage Transfer

Meals as per the Itinerary

2 English speaking Tour Leaders

Electric Full Suspencion Mountain Bikes

Helmets and GPS devices

Not Included

International airfares

Drinks and beverages

Meals not stated in the itinerary

Personal insurance

Next Dates

Itinerary

DAY 1 SKG-THESSALONIKI

A private mini-van will transfer you from SKG airport to your hotel in the heart of Thessaloniki. Early in the afternoon a city guide will take you to a mini city tour, where you will have the opportunity to get to know Thessaloniki, a city with a multi-layered historical past and a huge cultural interest. After the city tour a welcome meze-dinner is planned for you in a local tavern-cafenè.

Thessaloniki

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DAY 2 THESSALONIKI-N. KOTYLI-AETOMILITSA

Today we head for Western Macedonia. After a 3 hour journey we will arrive at the entrance of the village Nea Kotyli, where we start our journey. After km of biking we arrive at the impressive Death's Cliff, where we can admire the view. We continue biking towards to the National Reconciliation Park, dedicated to the historical memory and research of the Greek Civil War. There, (after visiting the park) we can rest and have lunch with traditional food prepared by the women of the local cooperative. After lunch we start our tour of the mountains of Gramos and our passage from Western Macedonia to Epirus. In 1 hour we will be at Lake Moutsalia, an alpine lake in the shadow of the Arrena peaks. Then we will cycle towards the village of Aetomilitsa,our last destination of the day, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Aetomilitsa-Xenonas

B, L, D

Hike Distance

49,5km

Duration

4h

Ascend

1623m

Descend

1788m

DAY 3 AETOMILITSA-GRAMOUSTA

After breakfast we start with the bikes to cross the crest of the mountain Grammos. Today we hike in alpine dirt roads and ridges with view to the most significant peaks of the area (Tsouka Petsik, Perifano). After 2 hours of uphill our trail is descending towards the village of Grammousta and the Grammohome guesthouse where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Grammousta-Grammohome (dorm)

B, L, D

Hike Distance

24,3km

Duration

4h

Ascend

1828m

Descend

1641m

DAY 4 GRAMOUSTA AND AROUND

Today's course will be circular and will be a follow-up to the previous day, but less demanding. We will cross alpine meadows, bike once again next to the border with Albania, visit the "ghost-town" village of Trilofos, ride downhill next to the Aliakmonas river and return to our guesthouse in the village of Grammousta where we will rest and enjoy our final evening in the mountains of Grammos.

Grammousta-Grammohome (dorm)

B, L, D

Hike Distance

43km

Duration

4-5h

Ascend

1646m

Descend

1646m

DAY 5 GRAMMOUSTA-AGIOS GERMANOS

After eating breakfast we will be leaving the mountains of Gramos and head towards the lakes Mikri and Megali Prespa and the village of Agios Germanos. After we settle into our rooms and have lunch, we will move by van to the slopes of Mount Devas. We will get on our bikes and for 2 km we will cycle along the ridge overlooking the two lakes. We will then descend to the village of Psarades and as we continue cycling we will reach the edge of Cape Roti where we will stop to visit the famous Askitaria, caves where monks lived in previous centuries. If time permits it we will also visit the Cave of Kokkali, the makeshift hospital for the rebels during the civil war. From here we will transfer by van back to Agios Germanos where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Agios Germanos- Agios Germanos Guesthouse

B, L, D

Hike Distance

18km

Duration

2,5h

Ascend

897m

Descend

897m

DAY 6 AGIOS GERMANOS-VARNOUNTAS-AGIOS GERMANOS

Today's schedule includes a climb to Mount Varnountas (2334m). Our route starts through beech and chestnut forests and then becomes an uphill ride. We are now at the border between Greece and North Macedonia. Our itinerary passes by the peaks of Pineritsa (2117m), Bella Voda (2154m) and Potistra (2118m), where we will stop for lunch enjoying the unique view of the two lakes and the three countries (three countries border). One more hour of descent and we arrive at our base in Agios Germanos. After taking some rest we will go to the island of Agios Achilleios (15') where we will hike (1h) and have the opportunity to visit the remains of Byzantine churches from the 10th century, as well as enjoy the sunset from the slopes of the island.

Agios Germanos- Agios Germanos Guesthouse

B, L, D

Hike Distance

35,1km

Duration

4h

Ascend

1439m

Descend

1439m

DAY 7 AGIOS GERMANOS-THESSALONIKI

We wake up with no haste and after breakfast we take the road back to Thessaloniki. We will be at the city around midday. Free for the rest of the day.

Thessaloniki

B,

DAY 8 THESSALONIKI-SKG

Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to the SKG international airport

B,

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