In the lower, 44 km long section of its course, the Radika continues to flow south, having carved a long and 1 km deep gorge between the Korab and Dešat mountains to the west and Bistra (to the east). There are many interesting places along the Radika valley, including the villages of Velebrdo, Rostuša, Janče, Prisojnica and Skudrinje, the Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski, the Kosovratska Banja spa (with sulphurous water up to 49 °C) and the unique Alčija cave, formed from alabaster. Alabaster is abundant in the area and is mined and processed in the town of Debar for industrial and commercial purposes.
After the gorge, the Radika receives its largest tributary, the Valovica river from the right, and flows along the northern slopes of the Stogovo mountain. After the villages of Dolno Kosovrasti, Dolno Melničani, Gorenci and Rajčica, the Radika flows into the Black Drin, just south of Debar. The Black Drin is one of the tributaries of the Drin river, while the next is the White Drin, which originates from Kosova. In fact, the lowest section of the river is flooded by the artificial lake Debar on the Black Drin, forming one of the lake's bays.
From the pictures you can see how powerfully the Radika digs through the rocks, it's a must-see 👍
The border from Kosovo to Macedonia is only open for locals (people from Kosovo and Macedonia). If you're foreign, even as an EU citizen there is no way border police will let you pass. So consider this route CLOSED if you come from Kosovo.
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