Rivers that rise from the Albanian Alps

Valbona River

The river of Valbona, which rises into Rrogami, is one of the most beautiful rivers of Albania characterized by a unique beauty. The Valbona River is one of the rivers of the Albanian Alps, with cold and crystalline water, picturesque waterfalls and canyons that attract tens of thousands of foreign and domestic tourists every year.

However, all this tourism industry built on the tradition of hospitality and the beauties of nature in the heart of the Albanian Alps risks to disappear and not only but the income by which the inhabitants of these areas make a living may disappear as well.

Gashi River

The Valbona River joins the Gashi River, which is a UNESCO-protected property along with the beech forest on both sides. In this river, small groups and adventurers, especially those who love adventure, can go fishing and canoeing.

All ancient beech forest natural reserves are fiercely protected in a total of 12 European countries, Albania being among them. UNESCO has included two Albanian natural reserves in its World Heritage List precisely because of the stunning beech forests found within them. These areas are Gashi River, located in the basin of Valbona National Park, and Rrajca. Albania proclaimed the Gashi River a natural reserve back in 1996. The ​3000-hectare-reserve is located northeast of the Albanian Alps, in Tropoja, Kukës county, entirely removed from any inhabited areas. Virgin beech forests cover a large part of the city. The geological basin is crossed by the river and is surrounded by swamps and canals, which, for decades, have kept the rich flora and fauna alive and helped it flourish, undisturbed by the human hand.

The geology and hydro-geology of the area

In the basin of the Gashi River, the rocks of the oldest geological age in Albania can be found. They are represented by igneous, volcano-sedimentary, and slightly metamorphic limestones. The Torkuz granodiorite massif separates the terrigenous and volcanic rocks. Younger deposits are depositions on old river terraces.

The river of Cem, along with its canyon, its rare fantastic beauty, and clean water belongs to the group of very attractive and beautiful rivers of Europe, which is visited by lovers all year long and especially during summer.

Cem originates in Kelmend, Malësi e Madhe, Albania, and flows through the region of Malësia. The river has two tributaries: Cem of Vukël and Cem of Selcë, which join at the confluence of Tamarë. Cem of Vukël – the more important of the two in terms of water volume – rises at 900 m and flows for 17.9 km. It passes through a narrow canyon, a terrain which widens only near Kozhnja, where deposition has formed a small limestone valley. A creek called Cem of Nikç also contributes to its flow volume except for the summer period when it runs dry.

The stream flows into the Moraca River, which together supplies Shkodra Lake with water.

During summer, Cemi transforms into an attractive environment for different vacationers who prefer the wonders of this river, where one should point out Tergaj, which has become a place for bathing and resting for the Highlanders.

The Kiri valley in Shkodra is one of the most beautiful areas in the north of the country, is only a few kilometers away from the center of Shkodra. This area has been “discovered” for four years by the people of Shkodra who tremendously visit it during the weekend.

The crystalline water of the Kiri is named after the village of Kire of Dukagjini. The valley through which it passes is a breathtaking and navigable canyon for adventurers who want to swim in the canyon. This river, during its lineage into the truck, creates exceptional pools on the stones of this river. There is a canyon in the river Kiri, one of the most beautiful in Albania, and the cleanliness, calm and fresh air of the surrounding mountains is what the valley of Kiri has to offer from where it flows.

Every weekend when the weather is warm, the citizens of Shkodra, foreign tourists, and village dwellers frequent these beaches for sunbathing in freshwater, as well as for water sports. Kiri is a village in the Administrative Unit of Shkodra Municipality were in ancient times, there was a castle that today has only a few ruins and nothing more, but even today this place is called the “Town of Kir” or “Castle of Kaur.” The name of this village is also named after the river, which originates from the slopes of Biga, Intercontinental, and Neck of Bkkas and flows into the Drin near Shkodra Fortress.

The river got its name from the village and not vice versa the river name, because in earlier times this river was named Clusala. Above this stands the Middle Bridge built during the Ottoman rule. Today, the canyons of this river in its rocky flow have become an attraction for nature tourists, river beaches, water sports, etc. that continue even in these warm September days.

Life happens on the banks of Shala

Shala River is a miracle that can be enjoyed in the beauties of where it was born in Theth until it flows into Koman Lake. Looking at this oasis, where Shala embraces Drini, now Koman Lake is a real wonder. Recently, this river has become the most frequented place in northern Albania. The site where it has today received an extraordinary name is also called, because the headman of Dukagjin, Leka, passed his last years here.

The Shala Valley is a virgin river in area that has only recently been incorporated into tourist agency guides, attracting particular attention due to its untouched nature and numerous opportunities that offer.