Matka Canyon in Macedonia 2023-2024
Floating down the Matka gorge promises plenty of visual delights
Best time: all year round (best March–September)
Matka Canyon is one of the premier recreational destinations in North Macedonia, which is located west of Skopje. A perfect natural escape can be reached within a 30-minute drive from the capital. Alpine hiking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and swimming are among the most popular year-round activities in Matka Canyon. However, the best time for outdoor adventures, where visitors can be treated to fantastic scenery, is during summertime.
A boat trip on Lake Matka is a great way to enjoy Matka Canyon's outdoors. The boat rentals are located near the Matka dam and the visitor’s information center. Kayaking is another popular way to explore the canyon. A 4-mile (6-km) journey follows a narrow path on the river, running in the middle of the stunning landscape of the valley, with the rugged rock formation towering 800 feet above your head. In the summer, water boasts different shades of blue, and the surrounding walls of the canyon are covered with lush vegetation.
There is also a cave with an underwater lake, said to be one of the deepest in Europe, and a tiny old church to be explored along the way.
