Matka Canyon – Boat trip, caves and scenic views

The visit to Matka Canyon was made during a press trip with NAITM (National Association for Incoming Tourism of Macedonia), but, as always, everything written here reflects only my personal thoughts and opinions.

It's hard to believe that the traffic and hustle and bustle of Skopje is only a quarter of an hour away. Here in Matka Canyon, the soundscape and pace are completely different. The water moves quietly between the high limestone walls, birds soar over the gorge and along the mountain, small churches and monasteries hide between cliff walls and trees.

For those who want to leave the hustle and bustle of the capital for a few hours, Matka Canyon is an easy excursion – but the experience feels far greater than the distance from Skopje. 

Rainy skies and a boat ride through the gorge

Clouds gathered overhead as we left the jetty at Matka Canyon, just west of Skopje, North Macedonia. Ahead of us lay one of North Macedonia’s most beautiful natural experiences – a boat ride through a narrow gorge with steep cliffs rising hundreds of meters above the blue-green water.

Matka Canyon is one of North Macedonia's most valuable natural areas. The canyon was formed by the Treska River, which carved its way through the limestone over millions of years. The area became even more famous in the 1930s when the Matka Dam was built, creating the long, narrow lake that today attracts both nature lovers and hikers.

It wasn’t difficult to reach the gorge. A short walk along the water’s edge from our bus, via the large dam, took us to the boat that would show us the area. The boat had a roof to protect us from the sun, but the sides were open so we could enjoy the view. As soon as the engine started, we slowly glided out onto the still lake and straight into the gorge.

Hiking in Matka Canyon

The most common way to experience the area is by boat, but there is also a popular hiking trail on one side of the gorge. The total trail is 1 miles long one way and the expected round trip time is 6 hours. So it is not a walk-in-the-park trail.

I don't know how safe the trail is, as it seems to lack guardrails at several steep passages, so I might not choose to hike here with children. But those who lace up their hiking boots will not only see the gorge from above, but also several old monasteries and medieval churches that you can't reach by boat.

Unique wildlife

The boat continued further and further into the ravine. Above us, large birds circled in the rising morning air. Are they flying high in anticipation of the rain? Or do they know something about the weather that we don't?

Matka Canyon is known for its rich birdlife, with over 70 species of birds having been observed here. The steep cliffs provide perfect nesting sites for many species. With a bit of luck, visitors may spot both peregrine falcons and vultures.

The wildlife here in the gorge is also remarkable. The area has many endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world. Foxes, butterflies, martens and wildcats live in the surrounding forests, while bats seek shelter in the many caves. The water is home to several species of fish and along the shoreline you can supposedly see turtles sunning themselves on the rocks. 

The infinitely deep Velo Cave

After about half an hour of slow travel across the clear water, we reached the innermost part of the gorge. There was the famous Vrelo cave, partially hidden behind the rocks. We got off the boat at a small pier and followed the stairs to a walkway that led down into the cave.

The temperature dropped immediately as we entered the darkness of the cave. Here, flowing water has created beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites over thousands of years. But the wonder is not what we see and experience. Beneath our feet, the cave's underground system continues deep into the rock. Scientists have not yet been able to determine its full depth and length, which has contributed to the cave's mythical reputation. The furthest diver here reached almost 300 meters. But there is still more to explore.

Boat trip, kayaking or hiking?

My time in the gorge only lasted about an hour and the ten minutes we had before the boat trip didn't allow for any strenuous discoveries. Rather, it was time for a visit to the area's only toilet. I would say that you would probably need 2-3 hours to be able to both go on a boat or rent a kayak and hike a short distance to see the water from above. But if you are short on time, it is still worth a short visit here. It is the kind of experience that you will definitely not regret.

How do I get to Matka Canyon?

Matka Canyon is located 1,5 km from the center of Skopje in North Macedonia. It is free to visit the canyon, but on site everything from toilet visits to boat trips costs money. Cash is recommended.

It is not entirely trivial to take the public transport to Matka Canyon (bus 60 from Skopje city center), but there are several organizers who arrange half-day excursions to the gorge – often combined with a visit up Mount Vodno.

Make sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes if you are going to hike. The paths are uneven and narrow.

May to September is the most popular time to visit the gorge, but it is also the hottest time of year. When we visited the gorge in March, we were almost alone.