Mavrovo National Park Park

Address: Mavrovo National Park, Mavrovo-Rostuša Municipality, North Macedonia

Hours: Open year-round

Admission: Free (no entrance fee)

Mavrovo National Park is a protected mountain area in western North Macedonia established to conserve upland landscapes, forests and alpine habitats. The park covers roughly 730 square kilometres and includes high peaks, deep valleys and lakes.

Hiking trails, alpine meadows and the reservoir lakes are primary attractions; people go for mountain walking, skiing at the local ski centre, trout fishing and wildlife watching. The park contains peaks over 2,700 metres and extensive forested areas, making it important for regional biodiversity.

The area received formal protection in the mid-20th century to preserve mountain landscapes and water resources; infrastructure for tourism and winter sports developed in the decades after designation. Traditional villages within the park retain cultural events and seasonal grazing patterns that have shaped local land use.

Geographically the park lies in the western mountain zone of North Macedonia within Mavrovo and Rostuše municipality. It occupies inland highland terrain rather than coastal plains and is accessed from regional centres in the western part of the country.

• Size and terrain: The park covers roughly 730 square kilometres and includes mountain terrain, forests and alpine meadows with elevations that exceed 2,700 metres in places.
• Best times: Good seasons are winter for skiing at the park’s ski centre and summer for hiking, wildlife viewing and enjoying forested valleys and lakeshores.

What to See#

• Mount Korab: A high mountain peak reaching 2,764 metres that forms part of the park’s northern border and is the highest point in North Macedonia.
• Mavrovo Lake: A large mountain reservoir set in the park’s valleys that is used for hydropower and recreation and is a focal point for lakeside trails and viewpoints.
• Mavrovo ski centre: A winter sports area with ski lifts and slopes serving recreational skiers and snowboarders, located near the village of Mavrovo within the park.

By car: Mavrovo National Park is reached by regional roads from towns such as Gostivar and Tetovo; from Skopje it is typically a 1.5-2 hour drive via the main routes through Tetovo/Gostivar to the Mavrovo area.

By public transport: Regular intercity buses and minibuses run from Skopje and Gostivar toward the Mavrovo/Mavrovo village area; once in the village the main trailheads and park facilities are a short walk or a brief local taxi ride.

• Plan visits in late spring to early autumn for hiking and wildflowers; winter is best only if you're aiming for skiing at the Mavrovo ski centre and are prepared for snow-affected roads.
• Use Mavrovo village/tourist centre as your base - most marked trails, lake access and ski facilities start from here and it's where visitor information and services are concentrated.
• Don't skip the traditional mountain villages (for example Galičnik) and pastoral landscapes around the park - they offer cultural interest that many day-trippers miss; allow extra driving time because mountain roads are narrow and slow.