Phenomenal Cycling Tour Through the Villages Beneath Shar Mountain

If you have to choose a day for motivation, let it be MONDAY. The sun that greeted us this morning also marks the start of a promising cycling season. We hope this year sees many more active cyclists, and perhaps some of them will choose to take a vacation with their bicycles. For instance, would you consider going on a cycling vacation in Albania? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

The cycling season is approaching for many, while others are still enjoying the last rides of the year. 

Kosta Šimbov regularly organizes cycling tours around Macedonia. Recently, he collaborated with Vlatko Spasovski to lead a tour along the route from Skopje to Lomnica, then to Vrutok, and back to Skopje. 

Their motto remains unchanged: "Explore Macedonia through its villages, where you can find tranquility away from the noisy city."

The tour begins in Skopje. From there, the group drives to the village of Lomnica, which is part of the Municipality of Vrapčishte. To reach the village, one must navigate through the scenic landscape beneath the mighty Shara mountains. The steep ascent leading to the village is quite challenging, but you push through, knowing that a breathtaking view awaits, as Kosta describes.

The snow on Shar Mountain gives the landscape a refreshing quality. The towering peaks of Rudoka, Borislavec, Mala, and Golema Vratsa rise above the village like silent giants. The tranquility of the area is stirred by strong winds and the lively rivers that flow powerfully down from Shar Mountain.

Kosta mentioned that after taking a one-hour lunch break, they headed to Vrutok, one of the most beautiful locations in Polog, where the Vardar River originates. For them, this stop served as a brief respite, allowing them to enjoy the scenic fishponds and recharge for their return trip to Skopje.

With 170 kilometers traveled and an elevation gain of 1,450 meters, our journey was filled with beautiful scenery and plenty of energy. 

The Kayak.mk team is grateful to have supporters like Kosta, who consistently shares his cycling adventures with us. 

To us, Kosta is a local hero who inspires others. Are you also motivated to explore active tourism? Share your stories with us at [email protected]!