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Next level MTB-ing from North Macedonia to Albania

Description

Manmade, herdmade, maintained, wild. Jumps, drops, berms, rock gardens. Fully featured trails from Skopje to Tirana guided by local guides trained in europe.

Day 1

Individual travel to Skopje airport 40 min transfer to central 3 star hotel, bike assembling, sightseeing and taverna welcome dinner in one of Skopje’s bohemian streets.

Day 2

Warm up at the house mountain Vodno. Vodno is a typical trail park packed with newly build bike only trails and other wild ones to easly fill the day. The peak gives great panorama of Skopje while the trails are enveloped in the wild forest. Beaware of chamois jumping over your head. Shuttles are available. Trail 1 Distance: 4.5km; Ascent: 12m; Descent: 460m Afternoon transfer with a short visit at an old colorful mosque financed by two sisters. Trail 2 Distance: 3.2km; Ascent: 0m; Descent: 460m. Additional ride Distance: 3.7km; Ascent: 40m; Descent: 500m

Day 3

The biggest national park in North Macedonia is not just fascinating nature. Mountain biking in the park exhibits a lot of North Macedonia’s history, culture and tradition. Trail 1 - Distance: 2.2km; Ascent: 0m; Descent: 290m. Trail 2 - Distance: 8.2km; Ascent: 150m; Descent: 550m. Trail 3 - Distance: 13km; Ascent: 210m; Descent: 1.100m

Day 4

Border crossing (Albania to Macedonia) at 2070m a.s.l. We start this day with the transfer of 1h combined road (asphalt and off road). We take with us important things which must be in our backpack and other things we live in the Hotel (driver will pick them later). Our transfer starts at 9:00 a.m. Trail 1. We will start our day with transfer of 1h till we get to the point, Asan Tower from where we start riding. Today we will ride trail from Asan Tower to Vrbjani and in the end we finish in village Zirovnica. In Zirovnica we will have lunch in nice forest restaurant. Distance: 10km; Ascent: 302m; Descent: 514m Trail 2. After the lunch we have transfer of 60min till we get to the open valley (1750m. a.s.l.), from there we will start riding on uphill trail that will bring us to the border line between Macedonia and Albania. This is the point where we cross this border and the rest of our ride will be descend to the neighboring village Rabdisht on Albanian side. This night we will be accommodate in Guest House Sabriu. Distance: 9.6km; Ascent: 270m: Descent: 900m

Day 5

It’s time for muscle maintenance at the thermal bath. Yes, we will stink, but right after we’re sweating it out climbing to the top of the flow trails of Luzni Protected Park. By the end of the first descent, we have a frappé from the Albanian emigrants who turned back from Greece, picnic and go for the second round. Ps. This day can be skiped or dimidiated in case of fatigue. It’s a round tour. We stay 2 nights at the same place. Distance: 31km; Ascent: 780m; Descent: 1400m

Day 6

This day is awarded with a special prize “The Best Panorama of The Peshkopi Valley”. Just above the last village, lies the ‘’balcony’’ where we feed our eyes with the beauty of the valley and make them ready for the most colorful trail ever. Starting at high altitude in open fields to continue on white gypsum stone and further on red earth erosion, rock garden, crop fields. Distance: 42km; Ascent: 1250m; Descent: 1650m

Day 7

To the black diamond mines The last night in the rural Albania should be as special as the guesthouse we visit. Slow transition from the soft soil of Peshkopi to the chromium of Bulqiza. A great view of Peshkopi valley from the pass, simultaneously the highest peak of the day. This trail rides down to one of the most well renovated guesthouses of Albania. Once a defense tower, now a beautiful comfortable guesthouse located in the richest area of Albania. Distance: 35km; Ascent: 1.270m; Descent: 1.320m

Day 8

1h transfer back to Tirana and 30 minutes to the airport. If you have a late flight back home, we can ride more trails back in Tirana or fill the day with other activities.