Matka Canyon

Matka Canyon in amazing sight where the Treska River winds its way between rock walls that climb hundreds of metres. In the 1930s a dam was built that turned this section of river into the long narrow lake you see today. You arrive at the dam end, where the jetty, a restaurant, and a small monastery sit close together. The water is a rich deep blue-green, and because the walls are so high the surface stays in shade for much of the day, so the colour stays saturated rather than blown out. That works in your favour, making any time of day quite photogenic. There are various boat tours that start from the jetty. From a boat you can capture the canyon walls rising straight out of the lake with the odd house or church tucked along the shore. One of the tours takes you through the canyon and winds its way to Vrelo Cave, a deep cave you can only reach by water, full of stalactites and stalagmites. You can also explore the canyon on foot by following the walking trail along the river from the dam. The trail takes you along the lakeshore with the soaring walls beside you the whole way. Reflections are strongest when the water is calm, so early in the day is best before the boat traffic picks up in the afternoon. There is a fee for the boat and the cave, but walking along the trail is free. (Skopje, North Macedonia)