Nothing artificial about the views of Kozjak Lake

Kozjak Lake

Sitting at the base of Vodno mountain and about 30 minutes from Skopje is the 32km-long Kozjak Lake, the largest in Macedonia. 

Created for the nearby hydroelectric dam and power plant, it connects with Lake Treska and was finished in 2004. Since the areas was flooded, locals think Skopje’s climate has changed, with the city getting more rain.

The lake may be artificial, but the views are anything but. Driving up Vodno offers stunning scenery, both of the lake and surrounding mountains. 

Head to the car park next to Aurora restaurant, get out of the car and walk to the edge. If you want great pictures, arrive in the morning. By afternoon, you’ll have to point your camera towards the sun to capture the lakes.

There are hiking paths. Some are restaurant side and lead towards the lake. Others are across the road, leading away. These paths really are as long as you want to make them across Vodno’s different peaks. 

Our trail was short but gets incredibly steep at one point – not for long, but it is hard work. And the stopping point, while great for photos, isn’t the top. We pushed on, following the path that tracks the edge at one point, enjoying stunning views in all directions. I’d love to have gone earlier, when the light better suited photography.  




The Aurora restaurant is a decent enough place to sit for lunch (remembering that in Macedonia, lunch starts  around 2pm). Sitting outside gives you great views over the lake and mountain, and a nice touch is the clear glass barrier that ensures those views are uninterrupted. 

The food was OK. I’d eat there again, but it doesn’t rank among my favourites in Macedonia. 

Kozjak Lake
View from the restaurant

Getting there 

Driving from Skopje involves a lot of twists and turns on the road up Vodno mountain. And as always for Macedonia, stretches of the road are pretty crappy and strewn with potholes to avoid. It takes about 30 mins to drive from the centre of Skopje, taking you through various villages on the way up. 

Location: Kozjak Lake, North Macedonia

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