Canyon Matka Monument Of The Nature

As Alternative Tourism Guide i recommend Canyon Lake with its accumulation (Matka on  River Тreska), is the oldest in the Balkan Peninsula, which was built in 1938. Matka Village is considered as touristic picnic spot. The reservoir covers about 5,000 acres – from the beginning of the village Zdunje and flows through the mountain gorge about 30 km to the Hydroelectric power plant. This area has a number of churches and monasteries. The most famous are are St.Andrea and St.Bogorodica. These churches are located on the shores of the lake and are always open to visitors. The place called Canyon Forest, was declared a monument of nature with upwater and underwater caves. Special attention deserve the ten caves with their length of 20-176 meters and 35 meters depth. There is Vrelo Cave, considered one of the deepest caves in the world. There are about 1,000 species of plants, of which 20% are endemic or relicts. The most significant relics from the Tertiary are Kosanini Violet (Viola Kosaninii) and Nataly Ramonda (Ramonda nathaliae). The locality Matka discovered 2 new species of spiders and 5species of  scorpions. The canyon recorded 119 species of daily and  140 of nocturnal butterflies. It is important to note that “in the canyon can be found 77 types of endemic small butterflies on the Balkan, and another 18 species which are new to science .The lake is stocked and is often used for sport fishing and the river Treska, used for canoe . It is one of the most beautiful trails in the Balkans. The canyon is known for its beauty and clean rocky reefs, and is ideal for those who want a little more adrenaline in the blood. Climbers are regular visitors here, and the ordinary ones who want to meet the heart and soul of the finest natural beauty of Europe. I highly recommend this place if you want to try real alternative tourism !