Lake tourism
In the region of Bregalnica River, Lake Kalimanci has conditions for typical lake tourism. This lake is 14 km long and 200-500 meters wide, with a surface of 4.2 km2. Its average depth is between several meters to over 80 m near the dam. Based on the length of the coastline, 40 km, and the jagged shore, Kalimanci is one of the largest and most interesting manmade lakes in Macedonia. There are good conditions for boat and raft tourist tours, since the length of the round sailing route is 22 km. Other possible sailing routes are from Makedonska Kamenica to the village of Todorovci and vice versa (8.5 km) and from the village of Lukovica to Makedonska Kamenica (7.5 km).
These three sites are adequate for raising boat and raft platforms as the starting or ending sailing points. An interesting route would be a visit to the island of Kalata, the only island in the lake and one of only three lake islands in Macedonia. In this sense, it would be good to organize on the island (which never floods) hiking trails, a belvedere and a platform for small vessels. Visitors can enjoy the lake’s beauty, but also do a variety of activities on the shore, with archaeological remains, village and traditional structures, etc. All of this requires info billboards and signage. Kalminaci is also suitable for calm water kayaking, paddle boating and other recreational activities. As was already mentioned, it has good conditions for tourism and developing several beaches.
In addition to Kalimanci Lake, lake tourism has been developed to a certain degree on Lake Berovo and Lake Gratce. Lake Berovo has gorgeous landscapes and small annual variations of the water level. It is suitable for leisure activities and water sports such as kayaking, boat tours around the lake (5 km long), paddle boats, fishing, etc. A kayaking competition is already being organized here. It would be good to organize sightseeing tours around the lake on electric boats for groups of 10-20 tourists, boat excursions to sites on the opposite shore, rent rubber or wood boats, etc.
Lake Gratce, even though significantly smaller, offers the same opportunities as the other two lakes. Lake tourism is already being developed here, with marked trails and facilities around the lake, a renovated hotel, a beach (which needs to be fully arranged), several vessels (a docking platform is needed), etc.
Photo by Miki Bogatinov
