Daily Hiking to Prespa Lakes, Florina

Hike in the Prespa National Park, visit the Byzantine hermitages, dating back to the 13th century, and enjoy the wonderful boat ride in the Great Prespa lake!

1 2 Difficulty Trekking Sailing 35,00 € starting price per person

Holiday Overview

The Activity
The program is a combination of hiking and boating / guided tours in Megali Prespa. During the hike, we will enjoy the unique beauty of the landscape (from Cape Roti), the rich ecosystem, and especially the birds and the traditional settlement of fishermen…

The area
The area of Prespa is an area of unique beauty where nature meets the human presence throughout the centuries. It is located in the north of the country in the peripheral unit of Florina in the region of western Macedonia where Greece meets Albania and Northern Macedonia. A lake that unites people and cultures for centuries, a lake that for centuries people and nature coexist harmoniously.

History
The human presence goes back to ancient times (at the era of the Persians the two lakes were called Minor and Great "Brygiis"). The name Prespa (plural "Prespes") is known from the Byzantine period onwards.

Nature and People
The small Prespa with an area of 47 sq. km. is located at an altitude of 852m from the sea while the great Prespa with an area of 272 sq. km. is located at 857 meters from the sea. In 1974 the "Prespa National Park" was founded, while in 1975 small Prespa was included in the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international interest. All this to protect the rich ecosystem of Prespa, which consists of 40 species of mammals, 260 species of birds, 11 amphibians, 20 species of reptiles, and 15 species of fish, while its rich flora includes more than 1300 species of plants and a cluster of centuries-old mountain cypresses. Regarding the bird fauna, the area hosts 2 species of pelicans: the rose pelican and the silver pelican. The silver pelican is a rare species worldwide.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• Do I have to have water with me and how much?
During the hike, we will not find drinking water (spring or fountain). Therefore each participant should have taken care of the water they will need. For this hike, we would suggest you have a 1.5 to 2 liters of water.

• Do I have to have food with me?
Since the hike is about 3-3.5 hours and the whole program lasts 4 to 5 hours, we would suggest having some light snacks with you (nuts, energy bars, fruits, etc)

• How is the terrain in this hike?
It is one of the hikes that we will encounter many different types of ground. Asphalt road (at the beginning), dirt road (then), path (relatively rocky), and rocky shore, with large and small stones (in the last part).

• What shoes are good to have?
Since a large part of the route is on a path (relatively rocky) and rocky shore, with large and small stones (in the last part) we would suggest that you have a light mountaineering boot that protects your ankle.

• What clothes should I have for hiking.
The clothes depend on the period of time you choose to make your trip
Winter / Autumn: comfortable warm clothes, jacket or windbreaker, hat.
Spring / Summer: comfortable light clothes, windproof, hat.

• Do I need any specific equipment for the boat ride back?
You should not forget to get warm jackets or windbreaks (as well as a hat/gloves in winter), since boats (6-8 people) are open type so the air will be cool enough. Even in summer, we would suggest you have something warm for the boat.

• Is it possible to swim in the lake?
If you choose to take the trip in the hot summer months then during the hike you can swim in the lake. The water is clear. If you have closed type sandals (swimming shoes) they will make it easier for you since the shore is stony.

Holiday Outline

DAY 1 Prespa Hiking and Boat Tour

Read the full itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1

Prespa Hiking and Boat Tour

Our program starts from the village of Psarades (declared a traditional settlement) from where we will follow the road and then the path that will lead us to the Roti Observatory. The view from this point is unique; the Great Prespa stretches in front of us and on the other side we see the neighboring countries of Albania and Northern Macedonia.

Alternatively, with an additional 40-minute walk we can go down to the shore of the lake and visit the first (and older 13th century AD) of the three hermitages of the Transfiguration of the Savior. Then following the forest road again for a while, we will find the path that leads us again low to the bank of Great Prespa. From this point on our route is all on the shore of the lake. After passing the rocky passage (either from above or through the water taking off our shoes) we continue until the second hermitage of the Little Ascension (15th century AD).

The last part of the route leads us to the largest and best-preserved hermitage, that of Panagia Eleousa (15th century AD).

Throughout the riparian trekking, the view of pelicans, cormorants, herons, and other birds will impress us!

The last part of our excursion is the return to the village of Psarades with the boat. This is a tour of 30-40 minutes in which we will enjoy the area from a different angle. While in the bay of Psarades, we will make a stop to admire the 2 frescoes of the rocks of the 14th and 15th century AD. (Panagia Vlachernitissa 1455 AD, Panagia Panton Chara 1373 AD).
A hearty meal with traditional local flavors (giant beans, red sweet peppers, lake fish, etc.) is the best end of the day!

Hot spots:
• The observatory at Cape Roti.
• Pelicans and herons.
• The hermitage of the Transfiguration of the Savior (13th century AD) - alternatively with extra walking.
• The hermitage of the Little Ascension (15th century AD)
• The hermitage of Panagia Eleousa (15th century AD)
• The return ride by boat.
• The frescoes of the rocks (Panagia of Vlachernitissa 1455m, Panagia Panton Chara 1373m)
• The settlement of fishermen
• The traditional food of the area.

Holiday Information

Participation fee:

Number of guests	Price per person
1 guest	170 €
2 guests	85 €
3 guests	55 €
4-9 guests	40 €
10+ guests	35 €

Minimum number of participants: 2 persons

Meeting point and time: At the beach of Psarades village, Taverna Guesthouse "Sintrofia", at a pre-arranged time

Implementation period: throughout the year

Total program duration: 4-5 hours

Activity duration: 3-3,5 Hours

Difficulty level: 2nd degree

Route length: 9.5 km (5.9 mi)

Altitude difference: -
Elevation win: 400m (1.3 ft)
Elevation loose: 409m (1.3 ft)

Participation terms: Physical and mental health, basic physical condition, completion of participation document, prepayment of the participation fee.

Suitable for ages: 8-80 years

Services included: Hiking activity, experienced hiking guide (Greek-speaking or English-speaking), boat tour from the hermitage back to the village, all taxes.

Not included: Anything not clearly mentioned above

What participants should have with them: Hiking shoes (ankle boots are recommended), comfortable clothes for hiking (depending on the season), windproof or warm jacket (and hat in winter) for the boat ride, water, snacks, sun hat, and swimsuit in summer.

Extra services: No

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Participation fee:

Number of guests	Price per person
1 guest	170 €
2 guests	85 €
3 guests	55 €
4-9 guests	40 €
10+ guests	35 €

Minimum number of participants: 2 persons

Meeting point and time: At the beach of Psarades village, Taverna Guesthouse "Sintrofia", at a pre-arranged time

Implementation period: throughout the year

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