Peristeri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.586m (8,484ft) above the sea level, located in the southwestern part of Republic of North Macedonia. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Tucked away in the National Park Pelister, the road to the summit, also known as Pelister, is totally unpaved. A 4x4 vehicle is required. At the summit is a TV transmitter using an additionally guyed lattice steel mast as antenna tower and a monument of Dimitar Ilievski – Murato, the first Macedonian ever to climb the highest peak of the world, Mount Everest. He died on the descent of Mt. Everest. The summit provides views of the Pelagonia valley, Lake Prespa, Nidže, Galičica, Jakupica, and the city of Bitola. The last part of the road is closed to private vehicles.
The drive is very steep, hitting a 13% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Magarevo, the road to the summit is 14.5km (9 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 1.213 meters. The average gradient is 8.36%.
Set high in the Baba Mountain or Varnoundas, this road is usually impassable from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow). On the peak there is snow even in July, and in some places the new snow meets the old from previous years.
Pic: Kristijan Temelkov