The back story
Wild Skopje: Matka Canyon and Mount Vodno
A canyon lake, a forested mountain and ancient Lake Ohrid: wild Skopje.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe natural side of Skopje, from Matka Canyon and Mount Vodno to the forest park of Gazi Baba and Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world, with a directory of the places in our guide and our regional long read on Balkan wildlife.
Skopje is a city of the valley, but the mountains are never far away. Mount Vodno rises straight from the southern suburbs, and Matka Canyon, a wild gorge with a lake and monasteries, is half an hour from the centre.
This is a short, honest guide to Skopje's natural side: the canyon, the mountain and the forest parks. For Lake Ohrid and the wildlife of the whole region, see our guides and our Balkans long read.
Matka Canyon
West of the city, the Treska river runs through Matka Canyon between limestone cliffs. A lake stretches up the gorge behind the dam; boats leave from near the dam for the Vrelo Cave and back, kayaks can be hired, and paths lead along the water to medieval monasteries and churches.
Mount Vodno and the forest parks
Mount Vodno rises to 1,066 metres right above the southern suburbs. Trails lead up through the forest from several points; the most popular start is Sredno Vodno, where the cable car begins. North-east of the Old Bazaar, Gazi Baba is a forest park of pines and paths, and City Park stretches along the Vardar with a lake and shady avenues.
Half an hour from the centre of Skopje, a wild gorge holds a lake and medieval monasteries.
Feature: Lake Ohrid
South-west of Skopje, Lake Ohrid, shared by North Macedonia and Albania, is one of the oldest lakes in the world, deep, clear and home to life found nowhere else. Its old town and its shores are among the great sights of the Balkans; our guide covers the journey and the town.
Did you know? Mount Vodno, which rises straight from Skopje's southern suburbs, reaches 1,066 metres.
Our advice
Our advice: go to Matka early on a weekday, before the boats fill up, and walk the path along the water; take water and good shoes for Vodno. Keep to the marked paths, and take your rubbish home.
Why it's on our list
- Matka Canyon
- Mount Vodno and the forest parks
- Feature: Lake Ohrid
- Our advice
Location
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More in depth
The back storyVodno and Matka: the mountains in the cityA cable car to a mountain cross, forest trails and a canyon lake.
The back storyFiligree, copper and the crafts of the ČaršijaSilver filigree, copper coffee pots, Ohrid pearls and ajvar: what to take home.
The back storyTavče gravče, ajvar and the Macedonian tableBaked beans, ajvar, kebapi, burek and Vranec: generous Macedonian food.