Skopje From Above: An Experience from the Mountains

One of the possibilities to take a look at this town of history and different eras is this traverse from the Matka Canyon up to the Millennium Cross on the peak of Vodno, or the Pantelejmon Monastery. It represents a beautiful hiking journey through the centuries and untouched nature. A touch of the new and old. A true one day adventure. A unique experience.

The hiking tour begins at the old bridge on the river Treska. The sound of the water flow will imprison your ears. We will head to the path that will take us to the monastery of St. Nikola Shishevski. A true piece of art from the XIV century. Not many true data are known about the monastery, but what we can confirm is that the brother of King Marko, Andrej, helped the resurrection and renewing of the holy place. And that through the centuries there was never more than one monk living and taking care of this place. The housekeeper Zoki will serve you rakija and homemade coffee with our famous Macedonian generosity and will eventually, if he’s in a mood, tell you much about the typical houses in Skopje. The view to the Saint Andrea monastery from here is gorgeus. The rocks around the monastery will tell you a story that you will be able to put inside your head alone. If there are not many people in the moment (which can barely happen) you will hear the sounds of the inner peace in your ears.

The path from here starts to get a little steeper. But, no worries. It’s still a beautiful rocky journey. In about 20 minutes we will arrive at the view point that will leave you speechless. The whole flow of the river Treska with its canyon, the nature, and the look on the monasteries of Nikola Shishevski and Saint Andrea will lie under your feet and within a catch of your fingers. This will give us the possibility to spend the next minutes in making photos and enjoying this unforgettable view.

From here on our journey continues to the peak Kota. If we are lucky enough we can be accompanied by the cows of the local villages that can take us to the peak. Between May and October the cows are walking free everywhere around It’s like a little cow community. As we arrive the peak a beautiful perspective of Skopje will open in front of our eyes. And much more than that. Not just Skopje, but you will see the greatest peaks of Shar Planina in the West, Skopska Crna Gora in the North and Mountain Kitka in the East. Skopje is a city surrounded by mountains. You will witness the conection of the stone bridge with Vardar, conection between Chair municipality and the Kale fortress.

This point will open two possibilities. Spending the next two hours hiking to the Millennium Cross or going downhill to the extraordinary St. Pantelejmon monastery. Both of the possibilities bring great perspectives. St. Pantelejmon, yes, not many people know this, but it is a small 12th century Byzantine church located in the monastery complex.

Tour duration: +/- 6 hours

Tour description: 10 kilometers, positive altitude 780m