Never Enough Statues

  If you’re heading to Matka Canyon and don’t fancy hiking up one of the mountain trails , follow the paved footpath up past the dam instead. It mostly runs alongside the water and is a great area to take photos. The dam itself, about halfway along the walk, is the oldest in Macedonia, opening in 1938. Lake Treska is at the top, with the artificial lake running out if it on the other side of the dam. A the ed of the main footpath, overlooking Lake Treska, is a hotel and restaurant, and St Andrews monastery. It’s also a popular location for rock climbers. You can walk on past the restaurant, with the path winding round the canyon and overlooking the lake.  Lake Treska in Matka Canyon  Lake Treska in Matka Canyon, looking towards the dam There are plenty of opportunities to take interesting photos in Matka. This is close to the restaurant and hotel St Andrews monastery is located close to where you take boat trips from It’s a tourist trap in the summer, especially bei...

We’ll never tire of visiting Matka Canyon in Macedonia. Sure it’s become a tourist trap, but for good reason. With the Treska River running through it, the damn at one end, several monasteries and stunning scenery, we’ve been there on each trip. A great hike is to cross the river using the walking bridge at road level (near the car park) and and follow the trail up one side of the canyon that leads to  Sveti Nikola Shishevski at the top, a 14th century monastery that has been updated over the centuries and makes for great photos. The only downside is for all the times we've been up here, it's been closed as often as it is open. So it's hit and miss on if you'll see the al frescos inside.  Sveti Nikola Shishevski at the top of Matka Canyon, Macedonia, July 2021.... ....And Sveti Nikola Shishevski in June 1996 - look at the difference in the trees Inside Sveti Nikola Shishevski, July 2017 Inside Sveti Nikola Shishevski, July 2017 An experienced, fit hiker can reach the...