Sharkova Dupka is located in the Municipality of Mavrovo-Rostushe, in the National Park Mavrovo, close to the winter tourist centre, more precisely in the village of Mavrovo. The cave pearl is located in the immediate vicinity of the last houses of the village. To the entrance there is a 10-minute walk along the built path and stairway. The Sharkova Dupka Cave, which is open to tourists, is protected by an iron door and bars. Decorated with semicircular metal stairs and fully illuminated with reflectors. The cave is at a depth of 20 metres from the entrance, it is about 18 metres wide and 25 metres long. In the lower part of it there is an opening that leads into two more cave halls that are still unavailable for tourists. The cave was discovered more than three decades ago by the local population who was then afraid to enter it. According to one of the stories related to the discovery of the cave, the villager, nicknamed Sharko, who lived in the immediate vicinity of the cave, was the first who gained the courage to enter. He cut a few trees, lowered them into the hole and, with ropes and with the help of his neighbours, managed to get inside the cave. From there, the cavern beauty got its name Sharkova Dupka.
In addition to this, there are several interesting stories about the cave Sharkova Dupka. A map board is placed in front of the entrance gate, which explains the cave ornaments and rich animal world it is abundant with. Visitors descend into the interior of the cave with iron semicircular scales, which lead into the first pit or yard, about 20 metres below the ground. The temperature there is below 12 degrees Celsius. The underground beauty is decorated with stalactites, stalagmites covered with coral, drapery and other cave jewelry, which presents the image of untouched beauty. Since the soil is rich in iron, most of the decorations are characterized by reddish-brown colour. In Sharkova Dupka there is a diverse animal world: bats, spiders, lizards, various types of insects. The cave is open for visits by organized groups and is an ideal location for organizing educational and didactic excursions.
