Evla to St Spas Monastery in Galicica National Park (14 km)

This hike is 14 km long with about 500 m ascent.

The village Evla is near Resen, about 45 minutes driving from Ohrid. Because of an error in Google Maps, the navigation would not take us directly to Evla, but the village is signposted in Resen. We parked in the beginning of the village at the information panel that describes several hiking routes in the area. I would not count on the marking of these trails though, it is basically non-existent after the first signposts.

The information panel states that the trails pass though the hunting ground “Wolf” and that you should register your presence by calling +389 76 742 050 (we did not do this), wear bright and easily visible clothing during the hunting season from May 1st – January 31th, i.e. try not to look like a pig. It also states that you should carry mace to protect against aggressive animals (bears, wolves and hunting/shepherd dogs). You’re more likely to encounter the latter in Macedonia than a bear of a wolf. Mace seems a bit too much to me, although the shepherd dogs can be pretty scary and intimidating. It’s more likely that there is a hunting party on a Sunday than on other days, according to one of the locals.

The monastery church most likely will be closed, so make sure you get the key of the Monastery of St Spas at the house where this sign is pointing at (Kluchot od Manastirot). The keepers of the key don’t speak English but I’m sure they’ll understand would like to have the key.

The first 4 kilometers are though Evla and on a 4×4 road along an electric fence around the hunting ground. The electric fence (to keep game in or hikers out?) does this not make this the most visually attractive part of the hike, and unfortunately you have to follow this road when you return to Evla. A friendly dog, presumably from the hunters lodge in the beginning of the trail, accompanied us during the whole hike.

The monastery of St Spas at the end of the 4 km uphill (about 280 m climbing) makes up for the electrical fence. It’s a serene place with good possibilities for a picnic, even a roofed dining place. The church itself is built into a rock.

• 

• 

Make sure to follow the path behind the church, there is another “church” in a small cave behind the new church. Another quite deep cave can be found behind the roofed dining place right next to the church if you’re willing to defy some thorny bushes. Bring a flashlight if you plan to check out this small cave.

• 

• 

After a long and relaxing visit to the monastery of St Spas, we walked a circle of 5 km (210 m ascent) though Galicica National Park. This was quite a nice part, we passed a small house called Villa Kopanki, probably referring to the Evlski Kopanki springs that should be in the vicinity. Indeed, there was a spring at this lodge but I am not sure if this was the Evlski Kopanki spring.

• 

• 

We had to walk back along the electrical fence again, and back in Evla we paid a short visit to the Church of St Precista Bogorodica. You can get the key of this church at the second house on the left.

It was built in 1824. The inside was not too special and the caretaker told us several icons had been stolen.

Note the unusual stone with a drawing and inscription on the side of the church.

The Monastery of St Spas definitely is the highlight of this walk, followed by the short circle through Galicica National Park. Walking back the same road already is not one of my favorite ways to finish a hike, and the boring 4×4 road along the electrical fence did not make things better. 3 out of 5 points for this hike.

You can view and download the GPS track here: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/evla-to-st-spas-monastery-39251387