Pelister National Park is in Western North Macedonia near Bitola.
Park straddles North Macedonia's southern border with Greece, running along the magnificent Baba Mountain. Its highest peak - Pelister (2601 m) is the third-highest in North Macedonia after Korab and Titov Vrv. It is 15 km from North Macedonia's second city, Bitola, and makes for an invigorating natural escape from urban life.
- Information center, +38947237010. 09:00 - 15:30. It has permanent exhibitions rooms and souvenir shop.
Pelister National Park was established in 1948 and is the first national park in the country. It is also the second largest national park in North Macedonia after Mavrovo National Park.
Pelister is rugged and mountainous.
Pelister National Park is filled with exquisite flora and fauna. Among flora elements, the presence is especially significant of the five-needle pine molica (Pinus peuce)- a unique species of tertiary age being present on only a few mountains in the Balkan Peninsula. The beauty of the landscape is enhanced by the diversified wildlife: bears, roe deer, wolves, chamois, deer, wild boars, rabbits, several species of eagles, partridges, redbilled jackdaws, and the endemic Macedonian Pelagonia trout.
The climate is diverse all over the park.
Entrance fee: 50 denars per car.
- The views of Pelagonia valley, Lake Prespa, mountains Nidzhe, Galichica, Jakupica, and Bitola.
- The two mountain lakes called Pelister's Eyes. The Big lake is 2,218 m above the sea level while the Small lake is 2,180 m high. They are the sources of many rivers. It's possible to swim in the small one during summer time. It's about 5 hr walk from Dihovo to small lake one way.
- There is a walk to Small and Big rocks which are local landmarks.
- Churches of Sv Nedela and Sv Nicolas.
The views of Pelagonia valley, Lake Prespa, mountains Nidzhe, Galichica, Jakupica, and Bitola.
The two mountain lakes called Pelister's Eyes. The Big lake is 2,218 m above the sea level while the Small lake is 2,180 m high. They are the sources of many rivers. It's possible to swim in the small one during summer time. It's about 5 hr walk from Dihovo to small lake one way.
- Pelister is known for great skiing.
- Ski center “Kopanki”, +389 47 222 384. offers 680 m ski track with lifts.
- Lots of nice hiking trails with good views, e.g. Children, Historical and Stone Trails. Rocky trail. which starts at Molika hotel. Refer to online map for all available hiking routes.
- A few mountain bike tracks.
Pelister is known for great skiing.
Ski center “Kopanki”, +389 47 222 384. offers 680 m ski track with lifts.
Lots of nice hiking trails with good views, e.g. Children, Historical and Stone Trails. Rocky trail. which starts at Molika hotel. Refer to online map for all available hiking routes.
A few mountain bike tracks.
- Honey farm. Offer local honey and honey products. It's also possible to arrange a tour.
Honey farm. Offer local honey and honey products. It's also possible to arrange a tour.
- Restaurant ”Oskar”, village Nizepole, +389 47 293 517.
- Restaurant Ilada, Dihovo (right next to Vila Ilinden and Vila Dihovo. Quite OK place to eat some local food and drink Skopsko beer. mains 80 - 250 denars.
- Restaurant Glamour, Dihovo, +389 47 231 640. 08:00 – 12:00.
- La Casa Grande Dihovo, Dihovo, +389 78 244 676. 09:00 – 13:00.
Restaurant ”Oskar”, village Nizepole, +389 47 293 517.
Restaurant Ilada, Dihovo (right next to Vila Ilinden and Vila Dihovo. Quite OK place to eat some local food and drink Skopsko beer. mains 80 - 250 denars.
Restaurant Glamour, Dihovo, +389 47 231 640. 08:00 – 12:00.
La Casa Grande Dihovo, Dihovo, +389 78 244 676. 09:00 – 13:00.
- Brajčino — picturesque village located in the mountains of Western North Macedonia, just off the eastern shore of Lake Prespa.
- Bitola — one of the most European-flavoured cities in the country, Bitola is known for its colourful neo-classical architecture and the Ancient Macedon ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis nearby.