Pozar Baths - Edessa - Nymfaio
You will meet and be greeted in the head offices where you will get acquainted with your BMW rental motorbike. You will do a short briefing on the tour, the itinerary, and then you will take off for the tour.
As you ride up north, you will visit the natural formations of rocks that have been created by the corrosion of the ground through the years and are known with the names “Bouharia”.
The Bouharia resemble chimneys, as is evident by their name (“bouhari” means chimney in the local dialect). You will then cross the Servia Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Greece, with a length of 1,372 meters before reaching the birthplace of Alexander the Great in the prefecture of Pella where lies a place of intense beauty.
Imagine being in a pool amidst the forest with running waterfalls surrounding you. The warm water will relax you and the cold waterfalls will refresh you in a serene and sensational natural setting. The Pozar baths are located at the foot of Kaimaktsalan, one of the most famous ski resort mountains in Northern Greece.
The capital of Pella, Edessa, is called the city of waters due to its seven waterfalls. The biggest and most impressive drops 70 meters among plane trees. A visit will amaze you and a short walk in the town’s alleys will mesmerize you.
Nymfaio is one of the most picturesque traditional settlements of Europe according to UNESCO at an altitude of 1,350 meters. Its architecture, stone built houses, and paths coupled with a sublime forest make it a wonderful destination. Let’s not forget the bear sanctuary called Arcturos that is located very near to the village. Ex-captive bears live in a fenced area imitating a natural habitat. Volunteers are working hard so that the bears can be reintegrated in their natural habitat.
As you decent south, you will visit the town of Naousa with the wonderful park of Agios Nikolaos. You will relax in the scenic park and enjoy a cold beverage before reaching the Monastery of Theotokos Kallipetras on the shores of Aliakmonas River.
Finally, you will visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great in Vergina. Vergina is best known as the site of ancient Aegae, the first capital of Macedonia. The excavation of 1976, unearthed burial sites of many kings of Macedon, including the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The archaeological museum of Vergina was built to house all the artifacts found at the site and is one of the most important museums in Greece.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Athens to Pozar via Kalambaka, Bouharia, and Servia Bridge (597 kilometers / 371 miles)
- Day 2: Pozar to Skra and Edessa waterfalls cyclical route (199 kilometers / 124 miles)
- Day 3: Pozar to Nymfaio, Lake Vegoritida, and Kaimaktsalan mountain resort cyclical route (194 kilometers / 121 miles)
- Day 4: Pozar to Naousa, Vergina and then on to Athens (607 kilometers / 377 miles)
Skill levels required for this tour
Beginner:
- can ride for 2-3 hours
- minimal riding experience
- assistance required
- comfortable with curves and leans
- basic experience with unsurfaced roads
- short distance ascents and descents
Intermediate:
- can ride for 3-4 hours
- average riding experience
- little assistance required
- comfortable with extreme curves and leans
- average experience with unsurfaced roads
- steep ascents and descents