Best places to run in North Macedonia

An award-winning long-distance route along the Albania-Kosovo-North Macedonia border, crossing wild ranges with many day-hike access points.

A tranquil forest-ringed mountain lake in the pine country of eastern Macedonia, ideal for an easy lakeside stroll or gentle run.

Skopje's beloved forested park-mountain (1066 m), climbed on shaded oak-and-pine trails to the giant Millennium Cross and city panoramas.

A wide 15 m curtain of water cascading over stone terraces, reached by a short, easy forest walk near the Belasica foothills.

Macedonia's tallest permanent waterfall at 39.5 m, reached on a well-built stair-and-bridge trail through shady beech forest.

North Macedonia's only island, reachable by boat, with footpaths past ancient ruins, churches and a famous population of snakes and turtles.

At 2764 m the highest peak in both North Macedonia and Albania, a long, demanding alpine ascent rewarded by vast border-ridge panoramas.

One of the glacial 'Pelister Eyes' at high altitude, a serene alpine tarn reached on a demanding ridge walk from Pelister peak.

Skopje's central tree-lined park along the Vardar, with flat paths and ponds popular for easy running and riverside strolls.

A picturesque cascade reached by a short, easy streamside walk past wooden bridges through a dramatic gorge near Bigorski Monastery.

A dramatic emerald gorge just outside Skopje with a cliff-hugging lakeside path leading to monasteries and the deep Vrelo Cave.

A high summit in the Mokra range near Skopje, reached on long alpine trails through pasture and glacial-cirque terrain.

A megalithic prehistoric observatory on a rocky volcanic hilltop, reached by a short walk with wide views over the surrounding hills.

One of the Balkans' highest waterfalls, the centrepiece of a long, tough alpine circuit from Ribnica with around 2000 m of climbing.

An eerie field of over 120 eroded stone pillars resembling human figures, explored on short footpaths and little bridges.

A sharp, photogenic limestone peak (2499 m) prized for its steep terrain, scrambling sections and wide panoramas over the Šar range.

A large mountain reservoir ringed by gentle shoreline paths and forest, famous for the half-submerged church of Saint Nicholas.

A well-marked, moderate climb to 2255 m offering a rare panorama where both Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa appear at once.

A storied 19th-century monastery set on a forested hillside above the Radika valley, a scenic stop on walking routes through the gorge.

A lakeside monastery surrounded by vivid spring-fed pools, with an easy, pretty walking trail looping around the springs.

A historic battle-site rock outcrop above Kruševo, a short steep walk to monuments and excellent sunset views over the plain.

A 66 m hilltop cross crowning Mount Vodno, the destination of Skopje's most popular hike with sweeping views over the city.

A limestone massif laced with ridge trails through Molika pine and alpine meadows, famous for double-lake panoramas over Ohrid and Prespa.

The country's largest national park where the Šar, Korab and Bistra ranges meet, offering everything from lakeside strolls to high alpine ascents.

North Macedonia's oldest national park, home to endemic Molika five-needle pines, glacial lakes and trails across Baba Mountain.

The highest peak of Baba Mountain at 2601 m, an 8 km climb from Hotel Molika through rare Molika pine forest to a rocky alpine summit.

A stalactite-filled cave on the canyon wall, among the deepest underwater caves in Europe, reached by a short walk or boat from Matka.

A high mountain resort village at the gateway to the Šar alpine zone, offering quick access to marked ridge trails and sunrise viewpoints.

The highest large tectonic lake in the Balkans, ringed by quiet shoreline paths, reedbeds and birdlife at the meeting of three countries.

The highest Osogovo summit at 2252 m on the Bulgarian border, a long open-ridge hike through rolling alpine pasture.

A well-preserved medieval fortress on the hill above Ohrid, reached on a steep cobbled walk with panoramic views over the lake.

The highest summit of the Šar range at 2748 m, a strenuous but classic day-hike up open alpine ridges with sweeping Balkan views.

Extensive Roman ruins with mosaics on the edge of Bitola, an easy flat walk through ancient theatre, baths and basilicas.

Bitola's long pedestrian boulevard of cafes and 19th-century facades, running from the centre down to the leafy City Park.