A trip to Matka Canyon is one of our favorite spots in North Macedonia, and is a must-do when you're in Skopje. Just a short drive from North Macedonia's capital, this breathtaking natural wonder is a world away from the city. Carved by the Treska River, the canyon is a stunning landscape of dramatic cliffs, calm waters, and ancient monasteries. You can even explore hidden caves!

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What Makes Matka Canyon So Special?

Matka Canyon is more than just a pretty face; it's a living ecosystem with unique biodiversity and fascinating geology. Here are some quick facts that make it stand out:

• Ancient Lake - Matka Lake, located within the canyon, is the oldest artificial lake in North Macedonia.
• Cave Wonderland - The canyon is home to ten caves, ranging from 20 to 176 meters in length. The most famous, Vrelo Cave, is renowned for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites, including the "Pine Cone" formation, and two internal lakes. Its exact depth remains a mystery, with some believing it to be one of the deepest underwater caves in Europe or even the world.
• Endemic Species - Matka Canyon is a biodiversity hotspot, boasting approximately 20% endemic plant life – species found nowhere else on Earth. It's also home to 77 indigenous butterfly species and even the horned viper, Europe's most venomous snake.
• Historical Significance - Beyond its natural beauty, Matka Canyon is dotted with several medieval monasteries. Some notable monasteries include St. Andrew's Monastery, St. Nickola Šiševski Monastery and Matka Monastery (Holy Mother of God).

Getting to Matka Canyon

Its proximity to Skopje makes Matka Canyon an ideal day trip. You have a few convenient options:

• By Bus - The most budget-friendly way is to take bus number 60 from Skopje's main bus station. The journey takes around 50 minutes. Be aware that on weekends the bus might stop a 20-30 minute walk away from the canyon entrance due to limited turning space. It's advisable to buy the 50MKD ticket via the SkopjeBus app as buses do not accept cash. Bus schedule.
• By Taxi - A taxi ride from Skopje to Matka Canyon typically takes 20-30 minutes and can cost between 500-700 MKD (around €8-€11) one way. Cammeo and BeeRide are two trusted taxi-hailing apps in MKD. Taxis are readily available for the return journey as well.
• By Car - We found renting a car in Macedonia easy and affordable. The drive to Matka Canyon takes approximately 20 minutes from Skopje, and there's free parking available near the canyon entrance. From the parking area, it's a short 10-minute walk to the main attractions.
• By a tour - The less-hassle option is to book a tour to Matka Canyon. Most of these tours are combined with other destinations such as Millenium Cross, Etno Village and
  St. Panteleimon church.

Activities and Trails for Every Adventurer

Matka Canyon caters to all levels of activity and adventure:

• Boat Trips: A must-do! Take a scenic boat tour along the Treska River, soaking in the dramatic canyon views. Many tours include a visit to the famous Vrelo Cave, allowing you to explore its fascinating formations. These tours typically last around 30-60 minutes, with the longer option including the cave visit. This costs 200-500MKD. More to that later.

• Kayaking: For a more active exploration, rent a kayak (single or double) and paddle through the serene waters. This offers a unique perspective of the canyon walls and a chance to get up close with nature. Rentals are available for 30 or 60 minutes for 300MKD/hour.
• Hiking: Matka Canyon is a hiker's paradise.
  • Canyon Trail: A well-marked path winds along the Treska River, offering stunning views. This generally easy-to-moderate hike is 8.9 kilometers round-trip and takes 4-5 hours, depending on your pace and stops. Be prepared for some rocky sections. It ends across the river from Vrelo Cave.
  • Monastery Hikes: For a more challenging trek, consider the steep 30-minute climb to St. Nikola Šiševski Monastery, perched high above the canyon with incredible panoramic views.
  • Longer Trails: Serious hikers can embark on longer, more demanding routes like the 16km trail to Rasa Peak, Markov Grad, and the ruins of St. Nedela, offering even more expansive views and a true adventure.
• Rock Climbing: Matka Canyon is a popular spot for alpine hiking and rock climbing, with the climbing season typically running from Easter to November.
• Swimming: On warmer days, you can take a dip in the cool, refreshing waters of Lake Matka, though be aware the water can be quite cold.
• Relaxation: If adventure isn't your priority, simply relax at the restaurant overlooking the lake, enjoy the fresh air, and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. There are also picnic spots if you prefer to bring your own food.

Our Personal Experience & Recommendations

We drove and easily found parking at the spot indicated on our map. Parking is free, as is park entrance, which is incredible. Near the parking area are a few restaurants and views of the Treska river.

From here you can walk down to the river and across a bridge. Continuing this path east of the river will take you on a 1-hour hike to St. Nikola Šiševski Monastery.

Alternatively, to go directly to the central hub of the canyon if you walk roughly 10 minutes further down the paved road west of the river from the parking area. After a large dam, there will be a hotel, restaurant, tour companies, and St. Andrea's Monastery - the star marker on our map.

As you reach the monastery you'll likely be approached by the boat tour companies. I'd recommend having a plan so you don't feel pressured without information to make a decision. Boat tours are affordable and are an excellent way to see the most of Matka Canyon. There are three main options:

• Book a short 30-minute cruise down the canyon (no stops)
• Book a 60-minute cruise which includes a 20-minute stop at Vrelo Cave.
• Rent your own kayak.

The first tour company which we walked past offered the shorter cruise, for 200MKD. The second company offered the longer cruise for 500MKD. Both offered kayaks for 300MKD/hour.

The second company offered short ferries across the river for just 50MKD to reach the trailhead to St. Nickola Šiševski Monastery (30-minute hike but quite steep). The hike is high in the mountain with excellent views.

We wanted to explore on foot first, so we walked past these companies and followed the canyon trail. We certainly didn't do the full 5km trail, so we turned around once content with the incredible views and hopped on a boat.

We took the longer cruise which included the cave. We had great views of the river and mountains, and had plenty of time to take pictures on the boat. Vrelo Cave was really interesting to explore - the formations are beautiful. It's not the deepest cave but the main area in the cave is large and there's plenty to see.

We found the signage and maps in the canyon trail are quite poor - most of the signs were destroyed, faded and/or not in English. We could tell that there were a number of longer hikes through the mountain but could not get the exact details.

We absolutely recommend visiting Matka Canyon. We suggest to start by doing the canyon trail until content, then returning for a boat ride. When your boat tour is done you can likely ask the operator to drop you off at the trailhead for St. Nikola Šiševski Monastery for no additional charge.

The canyon trail plus boat ride is what 95% of visitors are likely to do. The next time we would visit Matka Canyon, we would go from the parking lot across the bridge and do the 1-hour hike to St. Nikola Šiševski Monastery for the incredible views. Then we would hike down the mountain towards the central hub and ask the boat tour companies to pick us up and take us across the river - telling them we would purchase a boat tour after. We would absolutely do the affordable boat tour again. Finally, we would hike along the canyon trail afterwards to enjoy the views at our own pace.

If you plan to swim, kayak, or do one of the longer and lesser-visited trails, you'll have to plan ahead.

Nearby Places to Stay

While many visitors opt for a day trip from Skopje, staying near Matka Canyon allows for a more immersive experience.

• Canyon Matka Hotel: This is the primary accommodation option directly within the canyon, offering stunning views and convenient access to all activities.
• Canyon View Lodge - Matka: Is absolutely breathtaking, and highly rated for good reason. Check out that view!
• Matka Canyon Terrace View: One of the most affordable stays in the area, while still offering a comfortable stay and great mountain views.

For a wider range of hotels, consider staying in Skopje, which is only a short drive away and offers numerous accommodation choices to suit all budgets and preferences.

Plan Your Matka Canyon Adventure!

With its stunning natural beauty and adventurous activities, Matka Canyon is a must-visit destination in North Macedonia. If you're visiting the Macedonian capital and are planning a road-trip to Lake Ohrid, Matka Canyon is a must-visit stop.

Looking for your next Europe destination? Check out the best places to stay in Crete and best things to do in Kotor!

Curious on what drone we have? We currently have the DJI Mini 4 Pro and we couldn't recommend it enough especially for beginners as it has good stabilization and obstacle avoidance (because you don't want to crash into a tree on day 1!)