Crveni Steni (Red Rocks) – WW1 location - Pelister National Park, Macedonia

“Crveni Steni” (translation: Red Rocks) is one of most famous destinations for hiking near Bitola, as well as one of the most important destinations of the First World War in Macedonia.

Crveni Steni - Pelister National Park - Macedonia

After the Entente forces entered Bitola in November 1916, the armies of the Central Forces retreated to the surrounding mountains, from where they started to bombard the city (which lasted nearly two years). Therefore, in the autumn of 1917, the Entente forces, first of all, the French army launched a new offensive in which the main areas of interest were “Crveni Steni” and the positions around the villages of Dihovo, Nizhopole and to the north villages of Snegovo and Krklino with elevation 1248. These operations are known as: Battle of Monastir - 1917 / Bataille de la cote 1248 / Battle of Hill 1248 / Bataille de Pelister / Battle of Chervena Stena.

360 Panorama - view from Crveni Steni

The attacks were without much success and many soldiers were lost so probably the name “Crveni Steni” (translation: Red Rocks) comes from the blood shed on these rocks.

How to get to Crveni Steni:

One of the tracks most frequently used by mountaineers is the one starting from Hotel Molika (link...) which is located 15 km from the center of Bitola and up to which leads asphalt road. In front of the hotel there is free parking on which the vehicle can be left.
The photo gallery in this post is made on the track which starts from village of Magarevo, and leads to Jorgov Kamen and Crveni Steni. Along this track can be seen many bunkers, ww1 leftovers, trenches and above all beautiful panoramas of Pelister and Bitola.

Date of photos: 02 July 2017

Photos: Off Road Macedonia...