G’day folks-a-roonie! Hope this post finds you well. Last time, covering the adventure of ‘Dhaka to Dakar’, I wrote all about the things to see and do that I got up to when in the capital of North Macedonia, Skopje. Today a shorter post to focus simply on what seems to be the recommended day trip to the Matka Gorge, some 30 kilometres from Skopje, just on an hour by local bus.

The bus leaves from the main bus station. It’s sort of under a bridge, not entered through the regional or international bus section but you just sort of wander in. The bus I took was bus number 60. From memory it’s just the standard bus fare which would take you around town, even though you’re going further away. I took it to Matka town, which is the last stop. There are also taxis for around 25 Euro I think. Which wouldn’t be a bad option if you were in a group and splitting the costs. The buses are not very regular – 7am, 845am, 1030am etc so nearly two hours between them and 45-60 minutes to get there, and there were loads of schoolkids on the one I was on. So taxi would definitely be a lot more convenient if way more expensive. As I mentioned in the last Skopje vlog, you get the cards for the bus at the little kiosks that are dotted around at some bus stops. Not the majority mind you.

It’s a nice enough ride and then I was there, at Matka Gorge. Although I see they are calling it ‘Canyon’, which I feel might oversell it somewhat. There’s a fast moving river to one side in this little township of Matka. Tourists are generally there to hike up to Matka Lake and take a boat ride on it. Which, you guessed it, was exactly what I was there to do.

I walked along the river until I got to hydro-station. There’s a dam wall there too, as you would expect. All the school kids mercifully were there to see the hydro station so it might be visitable too. Or maybe just for school groups. The walk continues to the side of the dam wall and becomes steeper here, but it’s not too far to the top and the beautiful lake. All in all the hike took around 15-20 minutes up, but later 10 minutes back.

Here you can take a ride on a not particularly comfortable boat. The boats take I don’t know, maybe 12 people each at capacity, and there’s a set price for it – March last year it was 4 Euro, so not a bad price at all and the ride goes around 30 minutes. It’s a stunning place with cliffs either side. We didn’t go all the way to the end of the lake, but it is large and goes on for quite the way. Some parts of the lake have a bit of shore, there was a house or two to be seen, didn’t look like there was electricity connected or anything like that but did look like a prime position.

Check out the video above – it’s cued to Matka Lake. And the photos also give you an idea about the scenery. Floating back you go past a small enclave of restaurants (which are also bars), well I think there was one main one there, and a few little shops/booths. I had made friends with a couple from the UK on the boat ride, they were also on my bus, so we stopped there for a bevy before heading back to Skopje.

Might have been nice to eat there too. There is I think a hiking trail or two there as well. The bus going back was nearly not taken. There is an official time table and well, there was no sign of the bus! It looked like my new friends and I were going to try and negotiate a taxi, but well from Matka TO Skopje, I think perhaps we were at a severe disadvantage and we were getting some unreasonable prices.

However, the bus turned up some 20 minutes late, but not before we’d agreed to a taxi’s asking price, and we were saved quite a few Euro! All in all, it’s so scenic and photogenic a place, it’s definitely THE day trip to do if you’re in Skopje!

If you are looking for information on Matka Gorge (Canyon) there is a website that tells you all you need to know and also has the bus times and how to find and catch the bus. Check it out HERE!

Thanks as always for visiting my little blog! Next time on the Dhaka to Dakar trail I’ll be taking you to Albania and my far too short stay in its attractive capital of Tirana! Take care wherever you are in the world and May the Journey Never End!