Jasen

Jasen is a protected area in central Macedonia that spreads across multiple mountains and offers diverse terrain with forests, peaks, and water bodies at varying elevations. The landscape creates different habitats and supports varied plant and animal life.

The area became a nature reserve in the late 1950s and later received special protected status in 2005 to safeguard its geological and biological features. This formal recognition reflected growing awareness of the region's ecological importance.

The area holds religious significance marked by chapels and shrines visible along walking paths that reveal how communities have inhabited and valued this landscape over time. Visitors encounter these sacred sites woven naturally into the terrain.

The area is easily reached from Skopje and features a network of forest roads that support hiking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for varied terrain and elevations.

The area contains several reservoirs including Kozjak, nestled in a deep gorge that feels remarkably isolated from the outside world. These water bodies serve as habitat for native fish species found nowhere else in the region.