How to get to OHRIDE

International Flights

You have four good options to reach OHRIDE via flights.

From Airport Ohrid: The closest and easiest flight. Connections are very good from Vienna/Austria. Its roughly 8km to Ohrid from here. You can ride your bike to Ohrid from here (30mins) or best option is to pre-order our safe bike-shuttle here (it‘s the only bike shuttle service in Ohrid). If you are coming without bike, take a cab to Ohrid center for roughly 5-10 Euro (you will have to bargain down from 15/20 Euro). There is no bus directly from the airport. If you are without luggage and on a tight budget, walk to Podmolje, find the bus stop (near gas station) and take a bus or shared taxi (40-50MKD).
From Airports Skopje – Tirana – Thessaloniki – Sofia: There are daily flights to bigger international Airports. From each airport you will need a shuttle service, expect a 2-4h ride. If you arrive without bike, you can opt for a local bus operator, multiple daily connections are available.

Airport pickup

International Airports: There are no specific carries in this area established yet (welcome to the Balkans). Good luck finding a minibus operator that undestands what you need. There are busses going from all international Airports to Ohrid – but this honestly is a pain in the ass with your bike(s). Make your life easy, book our bike shuttle. Prices – per ride for up to 4 persons incl. bikes:

Ohrid 25 Euro
Tirana/Skopje/Thessaloniki/Sofia on request.

Arrival by car

Arriving by your own car is a good option. From mainland EU use Ohrid as your navigation destination. Make sure to comply with all travel regulations for you, your equipment and your car. They may vary for the countries you are passing and from where you are coming from.

Arrival by public transport

We really appreciate your effort being sustainable. Lets be realistic: this is still the Balkans. It’s doable, but we can’t advise you to be sustainable with your precious MTB to arrive by public transport. From Munich the fastest option is a 20h busride. Trains are available but not fast and not as convenient as you might be used to. Also: Your bike might get damaged or lost or busses/trains might refuse to carry you on any time after leaving the EU. In case you try, please tell us how it went. Good luck! Despite, for the adventurers and travellers without bike: There are several long distance busses from all EU cities to Skopje.

OHRIDE Rules

Ride with caution: All trails are shared trails and in natural conditions. Ohride is not a bike park. You may meet hikers and farmers and lifestock. Adjust your speed and safety margin.
Reduce Skidding: Please try to break responsibly. Skidding will cause erosion. Learn how to use your front break.

When to ride

You can ride all year in OHRIDE with two exemptions:

Fire hazard: Sometimes it may be forbidden to be on the mountain due to fire hazard. You might get you and safety staff into danger. Act responsibly, a fine might be opposed on top.
Wet conditions: The clay is super sticky on some trailswhen wet. You might destroy your bike parts when riding in wet conditions. Most areas dry out easily and very fast, but some don’t. Enjoy a day at the lake and drink a coffee.

Safety

Mountainbiking is a dangerous sport. Ride with caution, you are fully responsible for yourself here in the nature and on these public trails.
All riders must wear a helmet. We suggest gloves and knee pads. Use back protection and ellbow pads for a safer ride.
Know where you are. Not all trails are marked as you may be used to. Get a map, use the gps files or take a guide for the first day at least.
Wild animals and sheperd dogs: Be aware of wild animals (bears, wild boars, lynx, turtles, snakes etc.) and make yourself knowledgeable how to act in an encounter. Be aware of sheperd dogs – the biggest danger in Balkan mountains – when encountering a herd of sheep/goats. Go back, look for the farmer and pass slowly after he manages the dogs.
Hunting season: From September till January is hunting season (mainly wild boards) outside and inside of the National Park. Sing or shout while riding on the singletrails.

The longer trails from top of Galicica plateau: There is no drinking water accessible. Supply yourself with at least 1 liter of water. The next drinking water sources are in the villages near the lake.

Emergency

In case of emergency and after first responder duties and you have cell phone access.

1. Note your trail (which trail, which section) or your GPS position (via Smartpohne App like Google Maps)

2. Call for Emergency help:

Ohrid Mountain Rescue: 13-112
Police: 112

The Ohrid Mountain Rescue (https://pss.org.mk/en/) can locate you when calling their local rescue number.

We are here to help you enjoying an unique and unforgettable Mountainbike adventure. Discover OHRIDE.