Pelister National Park

Pelister National Park straddles Macedonia’s southern border with Greece, running along the Baba Mountain (the third-highest in Macedonia). It is located only 15 km (9 m) from Macedonia’s second city, Bitola, and makes for an invigorating natural escape from urban life. 

Pelister is characterized by lush, well-watered forests and unique geological formations, which include layers of Paleozoic and Mesozoic magma rock and layers of quartz. The core of the mountain is made of granite some 465 million years old. The mountain has a large number of peaks higher than 2000 meters (6,500 feet) separated by deep valleys. Mt. Pelister itself stands a magisterial 2,601 meters (8,533 feet) high. The park is also rich in springs, streams and rivers, and contains two glacial lakes known locally as the Mountain’s Eyes. 

Pelister National Park - glacial lake

Pelister National Park

 (Sources: National Tourism Office - Macedonia, MarvaoGuide.com)