Mavrovo National Park
Hike among North Macedonia’s highest peaks, see glacial lakes and waterfalls, and visit mountain villages around Mavrovo Lake.
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Mavrovo National Park covers about 731 km² in western North Macedonia. Established in 1949, it is the largest of the country’s four national parks. The park includes Mavrovo Lake, mountain villages and high Alpine terrain across the Šar, Korab and Bistra ranges. Golem Korab rises to 2,764 m, the highest point in North Macedonia, and more than 50 other summits in the park exceed 2,000 m.
Glacial lakes, waterfalls and the Radika gorge are among the natural sights. The gorge runs for more than 25 km between the mountains, with cliffs over 300 m above the river. Galičnik, Lazaropole, Gari and Tresonče are among the villages to visit; Galičnik is known for its folklore traditions and its annual wedding festival on 12 July. Near the park, Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery is known for its carved wooden iconostasis. Bears, wolves, wild goats and the Balkan lynx live in the park. Visitors should note that the park is divided into strict nature reserves, managed reserves and a tourist zone, which set different rules for visitors.
Mavrovo National Park in five
- Buy the daily park ticket firstThe park's ticket page lists entry at 100 MKD, and its information page calls it a tourist tax of 100 denars per person for each day spent in the park. Keep the emailed receipt.Park tickets
- Register your route for the protected zonesThe park requires individuals and groups entering protected zones to register at the info center or by email, and rangers or border police can refuse entry without that proof and the paid tax.Park information
- Stay on marked trails and off the bordersMovement is allowed only on marked trails, with free GPX files for each route. The park touches Albania and Kosovo, and it warns that any illegal entry into another country is a criminal offense.
- Start at the info center in Mavrovi AnoviThe center sits about 500 m from the Mavrovo dam and is listed open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. It issues activity permits and maps, and can arrange licensed local guides.
- Add the submerged church and a monasteryThe tourism portal names the half-drowned church of St. Nikola in Mavrovo Lake and the monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski on the Radika as the park's cultural stops.
Need to know
- Entrance
- 100 MKD per person per day (park ticket page)
- Permits
- Registration for protected zones; daily fishing permit 300 MKD
- Season
- Hiking in summer; ski center season about November to April
- Nearest town
- Mavrovi Anovi; Gostivar, Debar and Kičevo border the park
- Getting there
- By road via Gostivar or Debar; check bus links and the road first
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Snow, ski seasonJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski season
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low-1°Snow, ski seasonFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski season
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low2°Late snowMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Spring, coolAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, cool
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Green, coolMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, cool
- JuneRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low14°Warm, hikingJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, hiking
- JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Galičnik weddingJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Galičnik wedding
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Warm, hikingAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Clear, hikingSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, hiking
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Autumn colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low4°Cold, early snowNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, early snow
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low-1°Snow, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
Average daily high and low in Mavrovo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mavrovo National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 100%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Mavrovo National Park
10:18 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today5°4°100%Monday: Rain. High 5°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue5°3°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 5°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed6°2°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu5°2°0%Thursday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri5°0°2%Friday: Fog. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat7°0°21%Saturday: Fog. High 7°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sun9°0°29%Sunday: Fog. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 06:45 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 55.3 MKD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in Mavrovo National Park
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- OctSkopje Jazz FestivalSkopje, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Mavrovo Lake and St. Nikolaat the park's centerReservoir with a half-submerged church; grave slabs show when the water is low in summer.
- St. Jovan Bigorski monasteryalong the Radika riverMonastery of St. John the Baptist known for its carved iconostasis.
- Galičnikmountain village inside the parkHosts the Galičnik Wedding each year on 12 July, St. Peter's Day, per the tourism portal.
Before you go to Mavrovo National Park
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Rules for Mavrovo National Park, checked
- Park ticket page: entry 100 MKD and a daily fishing permit 300 MKD; the information page calls the 100 MKD a daily tourist tax per person for time in the park.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Individuals and groups moving in the protected zones must register with the park; rangers or border police may refuse entry without proof and the paid tax.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Walk only on marked trails; camping and fires outside designated places are banned; do not stray across the Albanian or Kosovo border.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Mavrovo National Park
The lake town west of the park
Read the guideSkopje travel guideThe capital and the main arrival airport
Read the guideGetting around EuropeRoads, buses and rental cars
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hiking days and altitude
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData and offline maps
Read the guideAll of North MacedoniaEntry rules, money and the route between cities
Read the guideMavrovo National Park FAQ
How much does Mavrovo National Park cost?
The park's ticket page lists entry at 100 MKD and a daily fishing permit at 300 MKD. Its information page calls the 100 MKD a tourist tax per person per day. Prices can change, so check the page when you book.
Do you need to register to hike in Mavrovo?
Yes, for the protected zones. Register at the info center in Mavrovi Anovi or by email, pay the tax and carry the confirmation. Residents of the municipalities, rangers and licensed fishermen are exempt, the park says.
Can you walk across the border to Albania or Kosovo?
No. The park borders both countries and warns that any illegal entry into another state is a criminal offense. Stay on marked trails and use the park's GPX files so you know where the boundary runs.
What is the highest point in Mavrovo?
Golem Korab, at 2,764 m, according to the tourism portal. It is also the highest peak in North Macedonia. The park's lowest point is about 600 m where the Mala Reka meets the Radika.
When can you ski at Mavrovo?
The tourism portal describes a ski center on Mount Bistra whose season can start in November and finish no later than April. Check snow and lift status with the operator before you travel.