Prespa region is situated on the Balkan Peninsula and it is shared between three countries: Albania, Greece and Macedonia. This region that includes two natural lakes and high mountains with great significance for biodiversity where endemic and globally threatened species can be found.
It has been already two years since I worked for development of the hiking trails in Prespa and sliding through the pictures today I decided to share them in this post.
I remember having a great time hiking on the mountains that most of the time offer great views towards the lakes. The mountains are not very high but the highest summit (Pllaja e Pusit) in the region makes it for a long full day hike. Both lakes can be seen in the same time, Ohrid and Prespa, from the summit of Pllaja e Pusit in Mali i Thate mountain, almost 2300 m. Furthermore Pelister Mountain in Macedonian side and the mountains on the Greek side are always very inviting for a climb or a cross border trek which is still forbidden unfortunately.
With the imitative of the National Park Prespa the trails are now marked and a hiking map is published. I will scan and add the map soon in this post.
Prespa National Park Hiking Trails is the first guide-map that will take you to the Albanian side of the region which is still very little know from hikers. This guide will take you from the shore of the lake to the summit of Mali i Thatë (2288m) through beautiful forest and summer pastures. The trails are designed for almost all fitness levels. One can enjoy the beauty of the nature and culture of the area starting with a taking hours stroll, taking a moderate hike in the picturesque villages or climbing higher and crossing the mountains. All of these trails have been known by locals for generations, and many of them are still used by shepherds for traveling to the summer huts.
Given that this region is on the border with Greece and FYROM Macedonia, it used to be a no-go zone in communism time and still a lot of remaining from military defense can be seen. The bunkers extend as high as the higher summit in the area where a military post used to be located nearby it.
Aside from its natural and scenic values, the park also possesses great cultural and historic values. Numerous archaeological sites and Byzantine and meta-Byzantine monuments bear witness to the area’s rich cultural and historic heritage. A hermitic church is found along the cliffs of Lake Macro Prespa, and the remains of ancient churches are found on Mali Grad Island.
The population of approximately 5,000 within the park lives in 12 small and scattered settlements that are still replete with traditional forms of housing. Locals are active in agriculture and fishing. Most of them live from subsistence agriculture. The small income that visitors provide is a welcome bonus. The area is designated for eco-tourism.
Pictures below are not in order, they are captures from different hikes around the region.

The ridge of Mali i Thate is criss-crossed by old military roads. The trail leads to the military barracks before reaching Korita. In the right side you can still see the rocks in raw, trying to open space for agriculture in communism time.

It would be a mistake to underestimat the weather that can quickly change and bring rain, fog and icy winds.

The trailhead for the Mali i Thate ridge in Gorica e Madhe (Big Gorica), walks connect to Alarup and Korita on the Ohrid side.

The Orthodox church in Liqneas, the village is the center of the commune that is in Macedonian called Pustec.

All kind of farm animals are kept, especially goats and sheep on the high meadows and cows near the village.

They live during the summer on their meadows in shacks, riding to the village only to sell milk products.

The variety of walks between 2 and 10 hours holds something ready for everyone, the majority takes about 4-5h walking time.

The others side of the mountain affords grear views of Prespa, this is the Macedonian side and Golem Grad.

Prespa is low-profile and very popular for bird watchers, especially the minor lake, as on a good day up 150 different species can be spotted.

A look-out point for walkers was errected in the outskirts, on the beach below the Dalmatian Pelican and varied comorants can be spotted.

Scrubs dominate the banks and lower areas but old grown forest can still be found on the slopes of Galicica.

Cattle grazing betwen Diellas and Gollomboc, the villages are also connected by a good asphalt road.

View from Gollomboc to snow-covered Baba Mountains in Macedonia, the peak of Pelister (left) stands at 2.601 m.

During the period from WW2 to 1990 Albania was isolated from the rest of the world and the border heavily guarded. Seen here old barracks.

While the border is open again it still remains illegal to hike across to the Macedonian side. The fence is a remaining of communism regime.

More plants along the way, the grass starts turning yellow towards July. High temperatures make for strenous hiking.
Back at the shore, a fisher is bringing in the catch of the day.

The Prespa Lakes are of tectonic origin and among the oldest lakes in the world. Together with Ohrid they form a transboundary UNESCO listed park area.

Reflection of Mali i Thate in the calm surface of Prespa from Kallams, the last village before the Macedonian border.

The Dalmatian Pelican are among them, it is one of the largest birds in the world, growing to a weight of 15 kg and wing span of almost 3,5 m.

Most of the population lives from subsistence agriculture. The small income that visitors provide is a welcome bonus. The are is designated for eco-tourism.

Locals move between villages and to their fields by donkey. There’s only few cars and the public bus runs infrequently.

A shepherd watching his flock. All inhabitants are by ethnicity Macedonians and speak the language as well as often Greek.

Meadow in fornt of the guesthouse with view of Pelister. There’s both dormitory accommodation and private rooms.

A cave near Gorica e Vogël village. This is the first cave that I have visited many years ago with a Polish caving club. From that time I’m in love with caving.

Connections can be made along the lake side, a lower altitude trail and high up on a plateu just below Mali i Thate (“the dry mountain”).

23 species of fish live in the Prespa Lakes, 12 of them are endemic and found nowhere else in the wolrd.

5 ha sized Maligrad draws few visitors. It is characterized by a circular cliff full of caves, home to diverse wildlife.
Super pictures and descriptions! An area worth visiting!
Thanks, Detlef! Yep, true, an area worth visiting but unfortunately still very little information. I hope some more information will come online soon.
Endrit, I am looking forward to visiting this area next month with my family!! Can you scan and post the hiking map? I would love to be able to look at it before I travel to see what is possible to walk with my children.
Absolutely amazing place & photographs !!!!