Komani Lake By Wild Tour Albania

Komani Lake is a reservoir on the Drin River in northern Albania. Komani Lake is surrounded by dense forested hills, vertical slopes, deep gorges, and a narrow valley, completely taken up by the river. Besides the Drin, it is fed by the Shala and Valbona Rivers. The lake stretches in an area of 34 km2 (13sq mi), its width being 400 m (0.25 mi). The narrowest gorge, which is surrounded by vertical canyon walls, is more than 50m (0.031 mi) wide. The reservoir was constructed between 1979 and 1988 near the village of Koman with a height of 115 m (377 ft). The combination of specific topography and hydrological conditions have contributed to the formation of different habitats. The golden jackal, red fox, european badger, eurasian otter, beech marten, european polecat are the primary predatory mammals. A high number of bird species have been observed in the region, including the common kingfisher, common quail, grey heron, eurasian wryneck, great spotted woodpecker and black-headed gull.

Valbone

The Valbona Valley National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar i Luginës së Valbonës) was a national park inside the Albanian Alps in northern Albania. In 2022, the park was amalgamated to form the Alps of Albania National Park. The park covers a total area of 80 km2 (31 sq mi), encompassing Valbona River and its surrounding areas with mountainous terrain, alpine landscapes, glacial springs, deep depressions, various rock formations, waterfalls and the Valbona Valley with its dense coniferous and deciduous forest. It is characterized by its very remote areas which have a large preserved ecosystem all of which is primarily untouched with pristine quality. This vast pristine ecosystem is the centrepiece of what has been referred to as the Albanian Miracle of the Alps.

Mulliri I Vjeter I Valbones

This is an almost 150 year old mill, used from the Valbona villagers to grind corn, wheat and other grains. It's the first attraction on the right of the road just before you enter into the village. Also a very common place of socialization between locals and visitors when it was functional. Today it's mainly intact and there're still the large grinding stones and equipment used back when it was in use. Well preserved and a very, very recommend must-do when visiting Valbona. As you cross the wooden bridge take a moment to breathe in the fresh air as you enjoy the crystal blue waters of Valbona river flowing through the huge rocks.

Xhemes’ Lake

The lake of Xhema takes its name from the lord, whose house is the closest to the lake. The lake is at Quku i Dunishes, which is on the left hand side of the road from Dragobi to Valbona. Glacial lakes are normally at over 1500 m above the sea, but the lake of Xhema is rare case, which is at 770 m above sea level. The highest water level is reached in spring, the lowest in winter. In winter, the lake is frozen and covered with snow but still lake has a depth of up to three meters and a surface of 500 square meters. Its water is very clear and the lake is deep blue colour. The lake is surrounded by majestic beeches. The surrounding landscape and its own breath-taking beauty makes the lake of Xhema one of the most beautiful places in the Alps.

Ujevara E Rrogamit - Rrogami Waterfall

Valbona’s river source is natural spring water that at the same time creates an attractive waterfall named Rragami Waterfall, another wonder of alpine nature that shouldn’t be missed when you are in Valbona.A 50 km long river, starting from its source and continuing to its outflow into Fierza Lake, Valbona River hides along the Valbona valley in the inhabited area and reappearing again at the height of Dragobi village. Located near the village with the same name Rragam of Shala, at the top of the Valbona valley, pretty much in the same direction with the well-known Valbona Pass toward Thethi valley and Thethi National Park. The trail towards Valbona’s Spring either wise known as Rragami Waterfall, starts exactly around this area, starting from Rragam village, and it consists of a 50-60 min easy walk in one direction, through the beech forest, scaling up a level of 200 mt maximum.

Valbona Pass

One of the main attractions of Valbona remains its connection with Thethi valley through the pass with the same name, Valbona Pass. An epic trail through the entire Albanian Alps, the most trafficked and traversed by many Albanian and foreign travelers every season. The mountain pass that connects Theth with Valbona takes the name from this last one “Valbona’s Pass” located at an altitude of 1759 mt above sea level and surrounded by other higher peaks.The hiking trail starts exactly in the Gjelaj neighborhood, in the village Rragam of Shala, in the upper part of Valbona valley and consists of a 9.5 km trail to Theth. The trail may start from both sides, Valbona – Theth or Theth – Valbona.The difference to cross is about 630 mt., while if it starts from Thethi is about 850 mt. The walk towards the Valbona Pass can start from the guesthouse door down in the valley or from the beginning of the trail in Gjelaj of Valbona to Gjelaj of Thethi.

Theth National Park

Theth National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar i Thethit) was a national park in northern Albania. In 2022, the park was amalgamated to form the Alps of Albania National Park. Established in 1966, the park covered 2,630 ha (26.3 km2) and is centred on the Albanian Alps, encompassing the larger portion of Shala Valley. The park was established to protect various ecosystems and biodiversity and the cultural and historical heritage of the region. It is dominated by high terrain, with a wide variety of natural features including valleys, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, dense forests and several rock formations. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the park as Category II. Notably, the region has been also identified as an important Bird and Plant Area.In 2017, Theth has been further declared a Protected Historic Center.

Tower of Nikoll Koceku

The Lock-in tower built in Theth, Dukagjin is typical of this area. A fort built at the end of the village and used by the whole village. It was the home of those families who, due to blood feuds, were forced to stay there (all males over the age of 14). Only the women of the house were free to go out and work some land in front of the tower. Today the tower can be visited and is located in an area of ​​great touristic value. It is located south of the village of Theth and very close to the Shala river. This tower has been built for 388 years, it is divided into 3 floors, where the upper 2 floors have an old wooden floor.

Grunasi Waterfall

Grunasi Waterfall is one of the most amazing natural attractions within Thethi National Park and in the hole Albanian Alps, declared a natural monument since 2002. Grunasi waterfall is located on the western slope of the Thethi valley in the Albanian Alps. It starts at the western foot of the Boshi mountain peak, where it forms a narrow rocky trough through a limestone slope, then the water immediately falls from a height of 25 m.At the bottom of the waterfall is formed a pond, from which water flows into the valley of Thethi, join the Shala river, at the beginning of the Grunasi canyon.The whole slope where the waters of this waterfall break are covered by a dense forest. Due to the water droplets that fall around the ivory, on sunny days it is almost always accompanied by a rainbow at the bottom of the sled. Its environment is one of the rare phenomena of the Albanian Alps and therefore is an important tourist point.

Blue Eye of Theth

he Blue Eye is the most frequented natural attraction in Theth. This amazing attraction is placed in the village of Kaprre, approximately 7 km away from the center of Thethi village.The Blue Eye of Kaprre, part of Thethi National Park, is a well (Black Well) with a surface of about 100 m2 and about 4-5 m deep, which is formed by the Black River flow that descends from the upper Kaprrea. Located between rocky and green slopes, with its depth this well takes on the colors of blue and emerald depending on the season, forming a fascinating landscape for all visitors. The Black River source in Maja e Zeze and is fed mainly by melting snow and in Nderlysa it joins Shala River to flow into the Drin river/ Komani Lake.

Boge

Bogë (definite Albanian form: Boga) is a village in the former Shkrel municipality, northern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became part of the municipality Malësi e Madhe. It was a historical bajrak of Kelmendi tribe in the north headwaters of Prroni i thate, bounded to the north by Shala; south by Ducaj. The village was attached to Shkrel despite originally being part of Kelmendi. The village consisted of 75 families in 1908 according to Edith Durham, all of which were Catholics. The village is divided in two sections, consisting of Preçaj and Kolaj neighborhoods.

Tirana

After a day full of walking, with wonderful views, it's time to end this trip. We leave to return to the city of Tirana or Shkoder. On the way back we will make some short stops in some special places for photos.