Skopje to Smolare Waterfall: a Private Ride to the Trailhead

The drive to Smolare

The route runs through Štip and Radoviš to Strumica, then south toward the slopes of Belasica and the village of Smolare, in Novo Selo municipality. The final kilometres climb a winding regional and local road up to the village. Budget ≈ 2 h 40 min for the 167 km, with the last stretch naturally slower because of the terrain.

The asphalt ends at a parking area near a local restaurant called Atlantis, where the footpath to the falls begins — your driver drops you right there, not somewhere in the village where you'd still have a long walk ahead.

The path and the falls

A maintained path leads to the waterfall, about 580 metres long, built in 2003, with roughly 300 stone steps, one small wooden bridge and one gazebo. The walk takes about 40 minutes there and back, shaded by century-old beech trees, alongside the Lomnica River that feeds the falls.

The path ends on a viewing platform right in front of the drop — best seen in the morning or early afternoon, before the hillside puts it in shadow.

Kolešino on the same trip

Kolešino Waterfall, smaller but easier to reach, is only a few minutes' drive from Smolare, in the neighbouring village of the same name, also on Belasica. Its own path is about 350 metres with stairs and a wooden bridge, a five- to ten-minute walk. The two falls are commonly visited together, with the day split between the two paths.

When to go and what to bring

Spring, when the Lomnica carries more water, and early autumn are the best seasons; summer is more comfortable thanks to the shaded path, though the flow is weaker. The stone steps get slippery after rain, so sturdy shoes with good grip matter, and in winter the path can freeze or become harder to walk.

For both Smolare and Kolešino in one outing, allow half a day to a full day once you include the drive, both paths and a short break. Pairing the falls with central Strumica or the Vodoča and Veljusa monasteries, about half an hour's drive away, is a common way to fill out the day.

Taxi vs. the bus

There's no regular bus from Skopje to Smolare village — a bus runs to Strumica a few times a day, but beyond that, to the village and the trailhead, there's effectively no public transport short of your own or a hired car. A private transfer is therefore not just more comfortable but the realistic way to get straight to the parking area at the falls and back the same day.

For a group or family the price is fixed per vehicle, not per passenger, so travelling together works out better value than each of you arranging transport to such a remote village separately.

Getting back to Skopje

Your driver waits or returns at an agreed time once you're off the path — up to 6 hours, the first hour free and then billed per started hour, at a discounted return rate; a later return is booked as a separate one-way transfer at the normal price. If you like, you can route the return through central Strumica for a break and a bite to eat.

What's included

• Private car or van — just your group
• Car for 1–3, van for 4–8 passengers
• Room for your luggage
• Any time, day or night
• Pay cash or via PayPal
• Driver's name and phone before pickup
• Book for a guest or colleague
• Same-day return at a reduced price

Where you'll go

Skopje → Smolare Waterfall · ≈ 167 km · ≈ 2 h 40 min

Prices and rules

Things to know