Galičica National Park

Galičica National Park in North Macedonia takes in the Galičica mountain range, parts of the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid and the western shore of Lake Prespa, and the island of Golem Grad. To the south it borders Prespa National Park in Albania. Much of its territory belongs to the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and the park contains monuments and historical sites such as the Monastery of Saint Naum and the remains of stilt houses on the shore of Lake Ohrid.

Visiting Galičica

The mountain stands between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa and has been a national park since 1958. Magaro (about 2,254 m) is the highest peak, reached from the Lipova Livada pass on a well-marked ridge route of 8.5 km with about 700 m of climbing, with views of both lakes. Other walks of one to five hours circle the peak, and the village of Velestovo, near Konjsko, has a public spring. An entrance fee applies at the gate (there may be a separate summit fee), most trails are signposted but not painted on rocks, and there is no guide service, so check the trail maps at the trailheads. Spring and autumn are the pleasant seasons, and lodging is limited along the mountain road, so stay on the Ohrid or Prespa side.