The Tall One: Smolare
Deep in the Belasica above the village of Smolare, the Lomnica river throws itself down a smooth black rock face in a single drop that sources put between 36 and 39.5 m. Novo Selo Municipality describes it as the tallest waterfall in the country.
Reaching it involves 300 stone steps up a 580 m nature trail through beech forest, built in 2003. It is steep but short, and the payoff at the top is the most dramatic single natural sight within a short drive of the retreat.
The climb
The trail from the village climbs through beech trees around a hundred years old, on stone steps that take most visitors 20-30 minutes at an easy pace. Sturdy shoes are enough; the steps can be slick after rain.
A wooden viewing bridge stands in front of the fall, close enough that spray reaches you in spring. The site sits at about 630 m elevation, which keeps the air noticeably cooler than the valley even in August.
Water levels
April to June is the reliable window for a proper waterfall. In hot, dry late-summer weeks the flow can reduce to a trickle, which surprises visitors who arrive expecting the full curtain.
After heavy rain the fall is at its most powerful, and that is also when the steps demand the most care. Winter ice makes the last section one for the sure-footed only.
Where the serious hikes start
Smolari and the nearby Sharena Cheshma picnic area are the North Macedonian trailheads for the climb to Tumba Peak, 1,880 m, the point where the borders of North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece meet.
Guests who come for the waterfall often return later in the week for the mountain, which is why we usually schedule Smolare early in a stay.
Why visit
- About 36-40 m, described as the country's tallest fall
- 300 stone steps through century-old beech forest
- A wooden bridge in the spray at the top
- Trailhead for the Tumba Peak tri-country climb
- Roughly 12 km and about 18 minutes from the retreat
Good to know
Getting there
Roughly 12 km by road from Gabrovo, about 18 minutes, into Novo Selo Municipality and up above Smolare village.
When to go
April-June for maximum flow. Late summer can reduce it to a trickle; go in the morning before day visitors arrive.
Fitness and kit
580 m of trail with 300 stone steps, about 20-30 minutes up. Walking shoes with grip and a bottle of water are enough.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really the tallest waterfall in North Macedonia?
How hard is the walk to the fall?
Can we combine it with a bigger hike?
More to explore
Stay at the hacienda
Pair Smolare with Kolešino in one Belasica morning. The two falls are about twenty minutes apart and could not be more different.