Things to see and do Pelister National Park

The Great Pelister Lake (Golemo Ezero/Големо Езеро) is a glacial lake located at an altitude of 2,218 m, below the Veternica peak (2,400 m). It extends over 4.2 ha with a maximum length of 226 m, width of 175 m and depth of 17.2 m. Enjoying magnificent scenery, it's one of the main attractions of Pelister National Park. Together with the Small Pelister Lake (Malo Ezero/Мало Езеро), it is said to form "the eyes of Pelister". The Great Lake is accessible via two trails: one 6 km (approx. 3h30 walk) from the village of Nižepole, 1,170 m above sea level, the other 9 km (approx. 4h walk) from the Nižepole ski resort, 1,360 m above sea level. On arrival, right by the lake, you'll find the Golemo Ezero hut, which sleeps 30 (+389 75 45 87 82, [email protected]). This is an essential stopover if you want to continue your hike to Mount Pelister (2,601 m altitude) via Petit Lac. The latter extends over 0.7 ha in a small mountain cirque, at 2,190 m altitude, and below Partizanski Peak (2,349 m). The trail between the Great Lake and Mount Pelister (6.5 km, approx. 2.5 hrs walk) is fairly easy. It offers grandiose views of Bitola and the Pelagonian plain to the east, Lake Prespa and Mount Galičica to the west, and various mountains in Greece and Albania to the south and southwest. From Mount Pelister, a more challenging 8 km trail descends to Hotel Molika, at 1,420 m altitude (approx. 4.5 hrs walk).

This mountain guide agency organizes excursions in Pelister National Park and other regions. Its team is certified by the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA). They offer hikes to the Great Lake and Mount Pelister (10h hike), tours of the First World War trenches in the park, and winter activities with skis, crampons and snowshoes in the Šar Mountains and Mavrovo National Park, via Albania and Kosovo.