Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 54 minutes ago

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Welcome to Day 1 of my 9-day adventure across North Macedonia 🇲🇰 — a land of mountains, lakes, and untold beauty.

Full Guide: hikingwithlee.com/matka-canyon-guide

In this episode, I explore the incredible Matka Canyon, just 30 minutes from Skopje. What started as a quick stop turned into an epic half-day hike through narrow cliffside trails, hidden caves, riverside restaurants, and some of the most breathtaking views I’ve seen in the Balkans.

Along the way, I:
• Took a wrong turn on a local-recommended trail (oops 😅 but worth it!)
• Had my first taste of amazing Macedonian food 🍽️
• Made friends with a cat 🐾
• Walked the scenic riverside route to the dam 🌿
• Discovered shaded trails, stunning water views, and Vrelo Cave

💡 Useful tips included throughout the video for anyone planning their own trip.

Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro: Discovering Macedonia 🇲🇰
00:01:01 - Arriving in Macedonia
00:01:24 - Side Hike Near the Monastery
00:03:36 - First Taste of Macedonian Food 🍽️
00:03:59 - Scenic Walk Along the River 🌿
00:05:31 - The Epic Matka Canyon Trail Begins
00:09:18 - Final Thoughts & What’s Next

📍 Location: Matka Canyon, near Skopje
🎥 Filmed with drone + handheld + voiceover storytelling

🔔 Subscribe to follow the full series as I travel through Struga, Lake Ohrid, Galicnik, and hidden mountain villages with locals!

➡️ Next episode: Lakeside living in Struga & exploring local mountain towns

📸 Equipment
(*Note that I value lightweight, compact and budget friendly options because of the type of travels I normally do)

* iPhone 15 Pro Max - amzn.to/3SKEOPR
I have moved over to the iPhone for most of the ground footage - it actually takes amazing videos and my phone is always close by.

* DJI Mini 4 Pro - amzn.to/3W8MVI5
I absolutely love this drone - it’s small, compact and provides amazing footage.

* GoPro - amzn.to/3W88ok9
I still use the GoPro for the ‘on the go’ shots. It has great stablization, battery life and video quality.

If you have any questions around my gear please feel free to drop a comment in the video below.

(*PS some of these links are affiliate links, with no cost to you but I might get a small commission if you decide to purchase one of these products)

📸 Instagram: @leezisa
🌐 Website: hikingwithlee.com