THE BORDER LINE TRAIL

DAY 1

SKG-THESSALONIKI

A private mini-van will transfer you from SKG airport to your hotel in the heart of Thessaloniki. Early in the afternoon a city guide will take you to a mini city tour, where you will have the opportunity to get to know Thessaloniki, a city with a multi-layered historical past and a huge cultural interest. After the city tour a welcome meze-dinner is planned for you in a local tavern-cafenè.

DAY 2

THESSALONIKI-N. KOTYLI-AETOMILITSA

Today we head for Western Macedonia. After a 3 hour journey we will arrive at the entrance of the village Nea Kotyli, where we start our journey. After km of biking we arrive at the impressive Death's Cliff, where we can admire the view. We continue biking towards to the National Reconciliation Park, dedicated to the historical memory and research of the Greek Civil War. There, (after visiting the park) we can rest and have lunch with traditional food prepared by the women of the local cooperative. After lunch we start our tour of the mountains of Gramos and our passage from Western Macedonia to Epirus. In 1 hour we will be at Lake Moutsalia, an alpine lake in the shadow of the Arrena peaks. Then we will cycle towards the village of Aetomilitsa,our last destination of the day, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

DAY 3

AETOMILITSA-GRAMOUSTA

After breakfast we start with the bikes to cross the crest of the mountain Grammos. Today we hike in alpine dirt roads and ridges with view to the most significant peaks of the area (Tsouka Petsik, Perifano). After 2 hours of uphill our trail is descending towards the village of Grammousta and the Grammohome guesthouse where we will have dinner and spend the night.

DAY 4

GRAMOUSTA AND AROUND

Today's course will be circular and will be a follow-up to the previous day, but less demanding. We will cross alpine meadows, bike once again next to the border with Albania, visit the "ghost-town" village of Trilofos, ride downhill next to the Aliakmonas river and return to our guesthouse in the village of Grammousta where we will rest and enjoy our final evening in the mountains of Gramos.

DAY 5

GRAMOUSTA-AGIOS GERMANOS

After eating breakfast we will be leaving the mountains of Gramos and head towards the lakes Mikri and Megali Prespa and the village of Agios Germanos. After we settle into our rooms and have lunch, we will move by van to the slopes of Mount Devas. We will get on our bikes and for 2 km we will cycle along the ridge overlooking the two lakes. We will then descend to the village of Psarades and as we continue cycling we will reach the edge of Cape Roti where we will stop to visit the famous Askitaria, caves where monks lived in previous centuries. If time permits it we will also visit the Cave of Kokkali, the makeshift hospital for the rebels during the civil war. From here we will transfer by van back to Agios Germanos where we will have dinner and spend the night.

DAY 6

AGIOS GERMANOS-VARNOUNTAS-AGIOS GERMANOS

Today's schedule includes a climb to Mount Varnountas (2334m). Our route starts through beech and chestnut forests and then becomes an uphill ride. We are now at the border between Greece and North Macedonia. Our itinerary passes by the peaks of Pineritsa (2117m), Bella Voda (2154m) and Potistra (2118m), where we will stop for lunch enjoying the unique view of the two lakes and the three countries (three countries border). One more hour of descent and we arrive at our base in Agios Germanos. After taking some rest we will go to the island of Agios Achilleios (15') where we will hike (1h) and have the opportunity to visit the remains of Byzantine churches from the 10th century, as well as enjoy the sunset from the slopes of the island.

DAY 7

AGIOS GERMANOS-THESSALONIKI

We wake up with no haste and after breakfast we take the road back to Thessaloniki. We will be at the city around midday. Free for the rest of the day.

DAY 8

THESSALONIKI-SKG

Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to the SKG international airport