The Dionysus Trail is a journey from winery to winery, visiting seven high quality North Macedonian wineries. The trail has two seasons: The first is in November/early December which is a great time to explore the route due to mild weather and beautiful autumn colours. During this time the riding days are slightly shorter due to the winter nights and so you cover approximately 130 km over the six days riding.
The second season is from February through to May by when the wild flowers should be at their best. The slightly longer days allow more riding and you cover approximately 160 km over the six riding days.
Meeting Point
Skopje
Date and Rates based on double occupancy
Dionysus Trail 2026
22-29 March, 2026
12 April - 19 April, 2026
19 April - 26 April, 2026
Rate: € 1,980 based on shared accommodation
7 nights , 6 days riding
Price Includes
- Riding and English-speaking guide; accommodation; all meals and wine tasting.
- SINGLE SUPPLEMENT : Single rooms in the hotels are possible on most nights but it may not be possible to guarantee single accommodation throughout. Single rooms should be requested in advance and where available in the hotels are an extra €20 per night, payable locally. If you are willing to share, then no supplement is charged.
- NEAREST AIRPORT Skopje
- TRANSFERS are included from Skopje airport.
- GETTING THERE
- Return transfers are included from Skopje airport or from a hotel in Skopje (City Park Hotel recommended).
- Guests arriving in the mid-morning, or who are already in Skopje, will be taken for a short sightseeing tour of the Old Bazaar in Skopje and after lunch transferred to the start of the ride. Guests arriving in the afternoon will be transferred directly to the start of the ride. The journey from Skopje to your first night accommodation is about 2 hours.
- The last night is at a hotel near to Skopje airport and so your flight can depart at any time.
Price Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- alcoholic beverages in restaurants and hotels
- individual travel insurance
- tips
- level: advanced: a frequent and regular rider. Very fit and in control on a forward going horse at all paces in the open over rough and variable ground.
- Riding time : between five to seven hours, covering a distance of 14 to 36 km each day.
- Accommodation : a range of accommodations from comfortable hotels to
- Group : 10 riders max
Day 1 Arrival and overnight Chateau Sopot
Return transfers are included from Skopje airport or from a hotel in Skopje (City Park Hotel recommended).
Guests arriving in the mid-morning, or who are already in Skopje, will be taken for lunch and then a short sightseeing tour of Skopje. In the late afternoon you transfer to your accommodation (about 45 minutes' drive).
If you arrive in the afternoon/evening you will be transferred directly to the hotel.
The last night is at a hotel near to Skopje airport and so your flight can depart at any time.
Overnight Chateau Sopot. Meet your guides who will provide a detailed safety briefing.
Visit the wine cellar and learn about their wine production process. Later enjoy dinner at the winery's restaurant.
The Chateau Sopot has a lovely setting surrounded by the vineyard. Enjoy fine wines with your meal.
Single rooms are normally possible and in case not a different hotel will be used.
Day 2 Klepa Peak and overnight Atanasovi
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be collected at 08:30 and transferred (about 45 minutes' drive) to the horse's winter base where you meet the team over welcome drinks.
After being allocated your horse, the horses will be prepared for the trail.
The following is the proposed itinerary but please note that changes are possible due to weather, local conditions and the group’s experience.
Your luggage is transported between your accommodation by truck throughout.
Today's journey will take you up to the peak of Klepa at 1,150 m, offering beautiful views of Southeast Macedonia and the Tikvesh Region. The team will organize a specially prepared lunch for you as you descend through the traditional village of Sirkovo.
Upon arrival at the Atanasovi family homestead, you can join a traditional cooking workshop, which includes kneading Macedonian pie and preparing smoked homemade pork.
Dinner will be at the small family restaurant at Atanasovi. You will have the opportunity to taste fresh traditional meals, paired with a wine tasting led by Jadranka, a professional sommelier who will introduce you to the wine industry. Tonight you have the opportunity to taste five different varieties of wines that you won't encounter on the rest of the trip.
Riding time from 3 to 4.5 hours depending on the weather (14-21 km).
Overnight Atanasovi. The guesthouse has a nice garden and outdoor seating area.
Single rooms are not normally possible and bathrooms may be shared. If there are no singles possible at hi time we will use a different hotel.
Day 3 Overnight at Motel TOPILA
Today is the longest day in both kilometres and hours. After a hearty breakfast you begin today's adventure at around 08:30.
The first part of the trail takes you through the very old village of Mrzen. It offers incredible views of the entire Tikvesh Region and you encounter some fascinating sights and experiences. Lunch is normally by the church in Trstenik, with a homemade traditional lamb dish directly from a neighbouring farmer in Trstenik. After lunch, you continue to ride through the vineyards, providing plenty of opportunities for faster riding.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery while riding next to Tikvesh Lake. You will be welcomed and accommodated at Villa Ruma in the fishing village of Dabnishtе, not far from Tikvesh Lake.
Tonight you will have fresh fish from the lake, paired with a knowledgeable wine tasting provided by Dane Hermes Winery.
Approximately 7 hours riding (36 km).
Overnight Villa Ruma. Villa Ruma has one and two-bedroom apartments.
Single rooms may be possible or else we us a different hotel , but may share bathrooms.
Day 4 Tikvesh and Popovi Winery overnight
Today’s ride will highlight the lovely scenery of the villages and vineyards surrounding Tikvesh Lake. You ride onto the plateau of Vitacevo where you may pause for a short fruit and snack break. As you ride towards the city of Kavadarci you enter the heart of the Balkan wine industry.
Lunch will be served at the Kavadarci Wine Museum followed by an informative presentation on the area's rich wine history. Tonight the horses will rest in the park of Kavadarci while you take a short walk to your accommodation at Popovi Wine Cellar.
After visiting the cellar and learning about the winemaking process, dinner will be served in the dining room. Indulge in a five-course gourmet tasting menu featuring the finest wines from Popovi, each sip telling a story of tradition and excellence.
Approximately 6 hours riding (26 km).
Overnight Wine Cellar Popovi. This small boutique hotel in the city has its own wine cellar and is a short walk from where the horses overnight.
The comfortable bedrooms all have en suite bathrooms.
Day 5 Dolni dian and Lenovo Valley
Today’s ride offers something different from the previous days. You depart at around 09:30 to ride between the vineyards and the beauty of Dolni Disan, a location renowned for its special grape variety, Vranec.
Enjoy lunch and a brief wine tasting session at Lepovo Winery, known for its unique microclimate and exceptional grape varieties.
As you continue riding today there may be opportunities for some long canters as you make the most of the open terrain.
Arrive at Arabeska Winery in the village of Sopot. This is a traditional small family winery with beautiful accommodation. After settling in and freshening up you visit the winery cellar for a presentation on their winemaking process.
Dinner will be an exquisite meal accompanied by a curated selection of Arabeska's finest wines.
Approximately 6 hours riding (28 km).
Overnight Arabeska Family Winery. The Arabeska Family Winery, founded in 2021, has a recently opened guesthouse and is situated in the village of Sopot within the Tikveš wine region of North Macedonia.
Day 6 Palikura overnight Lazar Winery
After breakfast you have the opportunity to visit the Naumov Bee Farm. You wear protective bee suits and take-part in an hour-long presentation about the lives of bees and honey production.
Later you start your ride towards Palikura. You will arrive at the home of Dragan Manev which is an organic producer of ajvar and various agricultural products. Participate in workshops on making ajvar, Macedonia's most traditional dish and learn how to produce cvarki. These workshops will teach you how to create these dishes at home.
After a delicious lunch in Dragan Manev's garden, featuring freshly made ajvar and cvarki, you have a short ride to Lazar Winery where you are staying.
In the evening enjoy a winery presentation in the cellar followed by a delicious dinner with a 5-course tasting menu, showcasing Lazar's best wines.
Approximately 5 hours riding (23 km).
Overnight Lazar Winery. The Lazar Winery is located in Rosoman. The hotel has a restaurant, terrace and gardens.
If single rooms are not available we will overnight in a different hotel.
Day 7 Stobi overnight Chateau Kamnik
After breakfast you have the opportunity to visit the Stobi Archaeological Site and learn more about the history of North Macedonia.
Stobi is the largest archaeological site in North Macedonia. This important ancient city was taken over by the Romans and attacked by the Huns before being destroyed by earthquakes in the 6th century A.D.
Continue riding through open countryside, passing by Mount Klepa. You will arrive at the home of Radka in the village of CÌŒicÌŒevo where you will be welcomed with a delicious meal prepared entirely from her organic garden.
Continue onto the horses' base and say good bye to the horses. Approximately 5 hours riding (27 km).
You will be transferred by car to Kamnik Winery, the most magnificent and high-quality winery in North Macedonia.
Overnight Chateau Kamnik. You will have time to tour their vineyards, where they play music for the grapes. Later have the most wonderful dinner and wine tasting.
The Hunter's Lodge at Chateau Kamnik is a luxurious hotel on the outskirts of Skopje with its own winery and restaurant.
The bedrooms are spacious with large bathrooms.
Day 8 Departure
You will be transferred to Skopje airport.
