Smolare and Kolesino: The Waterfalls of the Deep Southeast
4 min read
On the slopes of Belasica mountain, near Strumica in the far southeast, two waterfalls make a green, spray-cooled counterpoint to the region's sun-baked plains - and they pair perfectly into one half-day.
Smolare: the tall one
At just under forty metres, Smolare is the highest waterfall in North Macedonia. A forest stairway of roughly three hundred stone steps climbs beside the stream to the viewing bridge at the base - shaded the whole way, loud with water, and worth every step. Spring snowmelt gives the biggest show; summer trades volume for perfect picnic weather.
Kolesino: the pretty one
A few villages along, Kolesino drops fifteen metres over dark basalt ledges in a wide curtain - many visitors' favourite of the two for pure looks. Access is a short walk, wooden pavilions wait by the pools, and the cold spray is the best air-conditioning in the southeast.
Making the trip
Base the visit on Strumica - both falls are within half an hour of town, and the road trip from Skopje or Ohrid takes around two and a half hours each way, so pair the falls with Strumica's carnival-famous old centre or the Vodocha and Veljusa monasteries. Sturdy shoes for Smolare's steps; swimwear optional but tempting at Kolesino.