This is a very nice hike of 16 km with 900 m ascent to the Vrteshka peak in Pelister national Park
The hike starts at the Church of St Bogorodica Gjavato on the main road between Resen and Bitola. “Gjavato” refers to the nearby village. There is a very large parking at the start.
The church dates back to 1971 and there is a tap for water in the courtyard. There is also a building with a kitchen and some lodging rooms. Construction work was ongoing in another building when we visited in 2024.
There was a pregnant dog at the parking, she followed us for the entire hike. If she would only had known beforehand that this would be a rather long hike with much climbing she probably would have stayed at the church. The poor thing was already exhausted half way!
We felt sorry for the homeless dog and came back two days later with some dog food. Meanwhile she had given birth to 10 puppies, in the comfort of the tent of a German guy who was traveling through Macedonia by bike and who had put his tent up at the church grounds. When we came back after another 2 days with more dog food, there were only three puppies left! I don’t want to think about what happened to the other seven.
The first 6 km are a steady ascent on a 4×4 forest road, without many opportunities for good views. After 2.5 km there is a crossing with a sign for the village Podmocani. After 4 km there suddenly is an opening in the forest at one of the “Stone Rivers” that are so characteristic for Pelister National Park. You can also already see Lake Prespa from here. Great views!
A bit further there is another nice open place where you can get a better preview of the beautiful views of Lake Prespa that you will get from the peak in a while.
When you finally exit the forest there is a large information panel with information about the churches in the nearby villages and the old Roman road Via Egnatia. From this point onwards you stop following the 4×4 forest road and take the trail uphill.
From several places you can see the antenna station on top of the Pelister peak.
There was a sign for a spring just 50 m off the trail but the spring was dry.
Shortly you arrive at the Church of St Spas, where there is a picnic table and a small bell tower. The church was locked. At the Church of St Spas you’re still about 400 m (and 100 m climbing) away from the Vrteshka peak. We visited the peak before having lunch. From the Vrteshka peak you really have amazing views of Lake Prespa and the uninhabited island Golem Grad (also known as Snake Island and Pelican Island) was clearly visible.
It was cold and windy at the top, so we had a more comfortable lunch break at the table next to the Church of St Spas.
The second half of the hikes takes you along a nice small forest trail until you reach a larger 4×4 forest road. There are not a lot of opportunities for good views but it is a fine trail to descent and the great view on top of Vrteshka was more than enough!
We really enjoyed this hike, the trail is good and not too challenging and you are rewarded with an excellent panorama. The dog was a nice addition! The hike gets 4.5 out of 5 stars.
You can view and download the GPS track of this hike here: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/vrteshka-peak-from-st-bogorodica-gjavato-in-pelister-national-park-189203705
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