The stunning and varied landscape of Macedonia makes this Baltic country a haven for thrill seekers and lovers of adventure activities. With almost 80% of the country made up of mountains or hills and an abundance of rivers and lakes, Macedonia is the perfect place for an exhilarating adventure experience. Whether you enjoy hiking up steep mountains or canoeing along picturesque Lakes, there are many adventure activities in Macedonia to get your adrenaline pumping!
Hiking
flickr/gregoriosz
Due to the geographical makeup of the country, hiking is almost a national sport in Macedonia. There are hundreds of hiking clubs dotted around the various mountains where you can embark on a guided trek that leads you to the most incredible views. Popular mountains for hiking include, Korab, Bistra, Shar Planina, Jakupica and Vodno.
Mountain Biking
flickr/lvalgaerts
The underdeveloped dirt roads and tracks in rural Macedonia serve as superb routes for mountain biking. Local clubs promote developing bike trails and organise mountain bike tours to historic and natural sites of interest. Cycling on the dirt tracks, over mountains and through rivers offers an offbeat look at this spectacular country.
Paragliding
flickr/George Miskovski
Soaring over the mountains of Skopje or Mavrovo, wafting above the calm waters of Lake Ohrid or gliding past the rock formations in Prilep, paragliding is an experience you will never forget. Professional paragliding clubs can be found all around the country providing full equipment and skilful instruction for beginners. There is simply no comparison to the breath taking views experienced from above.
Horse Riding
flickr/Stefan Trenkovski
In the mountainous villages of Macedonia it is not uncommon to see horses being used as a means of transportation and riding horseback offers an enjoyable way to experience the sublime beauty of nature. A ‘Holiday on Horseback’ offers visitors the chance to discover hidden countryside villages, highlands, mountains and waterfalls far away from urban life. Horseback is the perfect way to explore the idyllic scenery in places such as Mavrovo National Park.
Skiing/Snowboarding
flickr/lvalgaerts
The superb ski resorts in Macedonia offer fine snow and varying degrees of challenges that attract visitors from all over the world. There are five main ski resorts; Mavrovo, Popova Sapka, Kozuf, Krusevo and Pelister, with each presenting a unique experience to visitors. Mavrovo and Popova Sapka are ideal resorts for beginners while the impressive 1172 metre Pelister is suited to more advanced skiers. For the adrenaline-junkies all the locations provide extensive off-piste areas.
Kayaking/Canoeing
Wikipedia/Rašo
Located west of Skopje, Canyon Matka is the preferred destination for white-water kayaking. The area covers approximately 5,000 hectares and attracts thousands of adrenaline-junkies each year. Kayaking is extremely popular in Macedonia and you can find international level competition courses and white-water rapids on the River Vardar in Skopje and at Lake Matka on the outskirts of Skopje. Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa offer perfect conditions for backwater kayaking or canoeing.
Scuba Diving
Unimaginable wonders lay beneath the surface of Lake Ohrid with stunning sea life making this fresh water sea their home. The endemic Ohrid round sponge lives at a depth of 35 metres and is just one of many fascinating species found in the lake. With special permission it is possible to access a Neolithic stilt village which is certainly worth exploring. The scuba schools offer high standards of training and an internationally recognised certificate for diving to visitors.
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