Guide to Matka

Matka Lake and the Treska River.

The lake is located above the dam and has no easy access to swimming. However there are two boat companies above the dam.
The first that you come to is on a bend of the path with some decking and a signboard and steps. This is a newer company called Boat Trip Kenan. They only do short boat tours on the lake.

If you continue on past the first you will reach the second, Prima Almata. They do not have their name on their kiosk but are located close to the Monastery and the Canyon Hotel and Restaurant. Prima Almata provides boat tours of the Canyon, they are the only people who offer boat tours to Vrelo Cave, and they also offer a ferry service across the lake to climb to one of the other monasteries. Another option is to rent one of their kayaks, especially if you would prefer to explore the canyon lake at leisure.

 

Go to Map

 

Here is a photo of their launch area:

Swimming is possible in the Treska though it is very shallow when the dam is not releasing water, and fast moving and powerful when the dam is open. There are very few suitable places to swim. Bear in mind that the word Treska actually means shake or shiver. The water is cold! Around the base of the bridge near the Slalom Center is perhaps the best area.

 

Go to Map

Kayaking: The Slalom Center is somewhat misleading. Most of it is an art studio belonging an internationally known artist. Parts of it are indeed used by the Canoeing community but kayaks are not available to rent here. If you have some Kayak experience, are interested in boating on the river, or would like professional kayak lessons. We strongly recommend you contact 4 time Olympic Kayaker Lazar Popovsky at Kayak Adventures.

Hiking and Climbing. The bridge by the slalom center leads to several trails that unfortunately are not well marked and may not correspond with the images on the map. Leave plenty of time so you can back-track if need be. Try not to cross the dam since this is illegal and will set off alarms. Be aware of the areas of the dam marked off-limits for photography – there is usually a small sign. By the guard house at the top of the dam is a good example.

Rock Climbing: We recommend you do this with a professional guide. Here are the email addresses for a couple of the local professionals (addresses)

Bird Watching and butterflies/herpetology etc.: I don’t know more than what the internet will tell you. We could really use a visit from someone experienced in these fields to write something up for the guide.

Fishing: Apparently you need to buy a license from a local club, and there are fish out our back gate. 🙂

Cave Diving: If you are at all experienced with cave diving, you will be familiar with Vrelo Cave.

 

 

Places to stay

This is where need content for the hotels and/or places where tourists can stay or order on Airbnb.

Restaurants and Coffee Shops

There are many Restaurants and Coffee shops where you can sit and eat while enjoying the beautiful view of the lake and mountain…

Adventure - Underwater Cave,Bird Watching, Hiking and More!

Bird Watching and butterflies/herpatology on Beautiful Matka Mountains or Hiking and Climbing or Kayaking on the river, and that’s not all, there is alo a Under Water Cave where you can go Underwater Diving and lot more…

Exhibition Center Matka - Museum of electricity power

The Matka Exhibition Center is a single educational center in Macedonia dealing with energy topics. In it, visitors through modern interactive methods can learn more about energy, its history, production, transmission and usage.

Educational contents are set in the historic building of the old hydroelectric power plant Matka, where guests have a unique opportunity to see an 80-year-old energy facility that can still be in operation.

The rich history of Matka worth mentioning to future generations, as well as the need for STEM education were the main reasons why EVN created the Matka Exhibition Center.

Bike Tours to Matka Canyon

Ride up the central mountain massif in Macedonia on unpaved roads, among forests and mountain peaks. Eat fresh fish from a stream, and local specialities that will make you forget about the diet. See sheep herds wondering through the mountain pastures. If this is your idea of a bicycle adventure, then come and experience it.
Matka is the place where technology, culture and natural beauty meet in one. It is an accumulation dam built in 1938. Place abundant of churches and monasteries, most from the 14 century. It is the canyon of the river Treska and is beautiful on its own. But even more intriguing are the caves, amongst which, potentially the deepest, underwater cave in Europe.