Valbonë Valley National Park

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Valbona Valley National Park

IUCN category II (national park)

The park during the autumn season.

Location within Albania

 Show map of Albania Show map of Europe Show all

Location Kukës County

Nearest city Bajram Curri

42°27′12″N 19°53′16″ECoordinates:
Coordinates
42°27′12″N 19°53′16″E

Area 8,000 ha (80 km2)

Established 15 January 1996[1]

Governing body National Agency of Protected Areas

The Valbona Valley National Park (Albanian: Parku Kombëtar i Luginës së Valbonës)
is a national park inside the Albanian Alps in northern Albania. 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.[2] 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.
The park borders Montenegro in the north, Gashi Nature Reserve in the east, Nikaj-
Mërtur Regional Nature Park in the south and Theth National Park in the west. It is
proposed to expand the park's boundaries and merge it with Theth and Gashi.
Furthermore, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro are planning to establish
a transboundary national park, that will be called the Balkan Peace Park. [3] The peace
park would encompass Valbonë Valley along with Theth National Park, Gashi Nature
Reserve, Nikaj-Mërtur Nature Park, Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park in Kosovo and
Prokletije National Park in Montenegro.[4]
The Albanian Alps are one of the most impressive and notable topographic features of
Albania. Being the southernmost continuation of the Dinaric Alps, it forms a section of
the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, which extend from the Atlantic Ocean to
the Himalaya Mountains.[5] The mountains are characterized
by limestone and dolomite rocks and shows major karst features.[6] Maja
Jezercë sprawls in the west of the park and is the highest mountain of the Dinaric Alps,
with an altitude of 2,694 m (8,839 ft). The Valbona River originate from several karst
springs along the south of Maja Jezercë and the east of Valbona Pass. It is the largest
river within the Albanian Alps and drains the entire eastern portion of the range. [7] Over
the past few million years, glaciers have at times covered most of the park. During
the Würm period, the glacier of Valbona reached a total length of 9.5
 kilometres.[8] Nowadays, there are two very small active glaciers close to the
northeastern edge of Maja Jezercë.
The park's remoteness and relatively small human population, combined with the great
variation of ecosystems and climatic conditions favours the existence of a rich variety
of flora and fauna distributed throughout the land area. Most of the park consists of
forest, covering 89% of the overall surface area. [9] Brown bears, grey wolves, lynxes, roe
deers, chamoises and wild goats are the primary predatory animals in the park.[10] The
park's forests are characterized by the predominance of different tree species,
with beech, pine and oak.[11][12] Notably, the most important tree species used to be
the norway spruce; it is one of few regions in Albania where this type can be found. [13][14]
Valbonë Valley National Park was established in accordance with Decision of Council of
Ministers number 102, dated 15 January 1996 in order to preserve the
natural ecosystems and landscapes along with
their vegetation and biodiversity communities and habitats.[15][16] An expansion plan to
increase the park's boundaries to cover the Theth National Park and Gashi Nature
Reserve is under consideration. With this expansion, the park will become the largest
protected area not only in Albania but also in the Balkans. [17][18]
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the park
as Category II. Located within the park, the Gashi River is included into
the UNESCO Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of
Europe.[19] It is also part of the European Green Belt, which serves as a retreat
for endangered and endemic species.[20] The park applied also to join the EUROPARC
Federation.[21][22] Plantlife has recognised the park, as well as the Albanian Alps, as
an Important Plant Area of international importance, because it supports
great plant species.[23] The region is part of the Emerald Network, the ecological network
made up of Areas of Special Conservation Interest designated under the Bern
Convention.[18]

Contents

 1Environment
o 1.1Geology
o 1.2Hydrology
o 1.3Biology
 2Demography
o 2.1Traditions
 3Economy
o 3.1Agriculture
o 3.2Tourism
o 3.3Hydroelectric power plants
 4Gallery
 5See also
 6References
Environment[edit]

The snowy peaks as seen from the valley during spring.

Valbonë Valley National Park encompasses some of the Albanian Alps, the
southernmost continuation of the Dinaric Alps. It is situated entirely in Kukës
County and lies mostly between latitudes 42° and 27° N and longitudes 19° and 53° E.
The u-shaped valley of Valbona extends between Maja Jezercë, Maja e Kollatës, Maja
Boshit and Maja e Hekurave. From the bridge of Shoshani until Fierzë, the valley
passes through the Tropojë catchment and the hilly relief between Bujani and Tëplani.
The park borders the Prokletije National Park to the north, Gashi Nature Reserve to the
east, Nikaj-Mërtur Regional Nature Park to the south and Theth National Park to the
west.
Located within the Albanian Alps, the park's climate is characterized by cold winters and
hot, dry summers, although at higher altitudes it is pleasantly fresh even in
summer.[24] Due to the close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea located in the west, the
climate is also exposed to the influences of the Mediterranean climate as well as
the Continental climate.[25]
The coldest periods are from December to February, while the hottest from July to
August. The park's minimal temperature ranges between −23.4 °C (−10.1 °F) —
−16.1 °C (3.0 °F) in winter and its maximal temperature between 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) —
39–9 °C (102–48 °F) in summer.[26] The average altitude of annual precipitation ranges
between 2,700 millimetres (110 inches) and 3,000 millimetres (120 inches), with the
higher levels occurring at high altitudes. At least 22% falls during spring, 8.7% in
summer, 32.3% in autumn and 38% during winter.[26] At higher altitudes, snowfall begins
in October or November and accumulates through to March or April when the melt
begins. Snow reaches a height of 1.5–5 m and lasts between 60 and 160 days.
Geology[edit]

The Albanian Alps as seen from the air; the Valley of Valbonë lies in the upper part on the right with Maja
Roshit and Maja e Kollatës to the left.
The relief of the park is mountainous and highly fragmented, characterized with steep
slopes, high ridges and deep river valleys. The slopes of the mountains are almost
vertical, with perpendicular rocks hanging on the river, peaks in the shape of towers
dressed by trees, with their cirques filled with eternal snow altitude differences with the
river bed. The Albanian Alps are a notable geographic feature
of Southern and Southeastern Europe, being at the same time the highest section of
the Dinaric Alps. The formation was an episodic process caused by the collision of
the African and Eurasian plate. They are strongly karstified, where rain and snow
quickly seep into a karst system. Nowhere in the Balkans have glaciers left so much
evidence of erosion. In contrast to the Alps in Central Europe, the Albanian Alps are the
most glaciated mountains in Europe located south of the Scandinavian ice sheet.
Geological formations are composed of limestone rocks, limestone - siliceous, clay
shale and conglomerate.[27] Gray forest soils are located on limestone
rocks.[28] Agricultural lands are brown forest soils and soils meadow mountain. [29] There
are grey forest soils between 500 and 1200 meters heights, then come Velvet Lands
extending the left slope of this valley from Mbaskollata to Shoshan at height 400–900
meters. Their geological construction (alps) is diverse, with the oldest formations, those
paleozoic ones, with which are related quartz mineral properties in river valley.
Limestones that come from mesozoic, are wider spread, and serve as the basis of
bauxite. They form the alps main ribs. Mixed with dolomite and modeled by karsts they
form to Alpines a very bitter relief. Insoluble flysch deposits have formed a very harsh
terrain.[30] In the region, the carbonatite rocks are dominant and only in the villages of
Valbona and Dragobia the schist nucleus of the Alps appear. [31]
Hydrology[edit]

Panoramic view of the Valbona River.

The region is characterized by a highly developed hydrographic network represented by

the water basins of the lake of Shkodër and of that of the rivers
of Drin, Buna, Shala and Valbona. The park is situated along the course of the Valbona,
the longest river on the Albanian Alps at 50.6 km (31.4 mi).[32] The river begins at the
southern slopes of Maja Jezercë on the eastern section of Valbona Pass and flows until
it reaches the village of Valbona.[33] At the end, the river, which until then was continuing
through a narrow u-shaped valley, becomes the Fierza that is mostly surrounded by
high mountains.
It flows away through the village and continues flowing towards Dragobia. [34] Valbona
River is a tributary of Drini River, which drains into Adriatic sea.[35] Deduction from the
peaks of the mountains of Rragami and Ceremi, is impulsive, full sound of
effervescence for its terrain topography. At Shoshan's canyon, Valbona's river narrows
sharply and creates the image of the rocks being cut as with a knife. [27] Water is clean,
bright and highly transparent up to 1 m depth. Frequent rain precipitations make this
river unnavigable.[27]
The Xhemas Lake is a natural basis, which is supplied by the water that steams inside
this base from the depth of rocks and reaches up to 3 m depth in winter. It has an area
about 500m2. Lake has an altitude of 770 m above sea level. There is the main road
close to it that goes from Dragobia to Valbona, exactly in "Quku i Dunishes", in the left
of pedestrian road which arrives in the forest. Xhema lake has very cold clear water,
rugged limestone cliffs and is surrounded by beech trees. [36]
Shortly after the source of Valbona's river, colliding with rocks, is created a 50 metres
high waterfall, which disappears at Rrogami gritty earth for about 5 km and then stems
again at Valbona village.[37]
The Shoshani Source is one of the biggest water sources of the Balkan peninsula. It is
located at the entry of Valbonë Valley and is continually visited by alpine nature lovers.
The source provides potable water for the entire Tropoja District and its water quantity is
equal to the half one of Valbona river. [38]
Biology[edit]

Typical habitat in Valbona Valley.

Even though the park is small in surface, on its area thrive hundreds
of threatened and endemic animal and plant species. The levels of vegetation in the
Albanian Alps meet the alpine level, from upland valleys through the montane mountain
stage on forest-free alpine and subalpine mats and subnivale tundra caused by
permafrost in vast heaps of rubble with raw soils.
In view of phytogeography, the park falls within the Dinaric Mountains mixed
forests terrestrial ecoregion of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forest. The
forests of the park are covered by a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees growing
on limestone and dolomite, which is characteristic to the Albanian Alps. The most typical
feature of the park's landscape is represented by its forests being a major resource in
terms of their ecological functions, as well as in terms of the beauty they lend to the
landscape.
The pine is one of the most common species of tree in the park. The area, which is
dotted with pine, is mainly overgrown with austrian, balkan, bosnian and scots
pine.[39][40][41][42] The area around the village of Valbona is characterized by the
predominance of different beech species such as european beech.[10][43] The park is,
however, considered to be the only area in the country, where a high number of forest
formations with norway spruce can be found.[44] A lush mixed forest occurs in the upper
part of the valley represented with a mixture of silver fir, common beech, norway spruce
and scots pine.
The banks of Valbona River are covered mainly with forests of grey alder, olive
willow and goat willow.[40] Besides, the park contains boglands, which are situated in the
wet low lying environments whereas various species
of narthecium, carex and sphagnum can be found.[40] The steep slopes and ravines of
the Valbona Valley are home to communities of largeleaf
linden, sycamore, ash and wych elm, which grow mostly in cool and humid locations.[40]

The park protect important bird species such as the golden eagle.

Due to the temperature and climate differences between different areas and elevations,
the park is characterized by exceptionally rich and varied fauna. The park represents
one of the most important national bio centers of wild fauna in the country. The wider
land area is one of the last areas in Europe, in which a great number of brown
bears and grey wolves can be found.[45] The park is potentially a habitat for
the endangered lynx.[45] One of the park's special attractions is the existence of the
rare chamois, which can be found at higher altitudes far from human activity. [46] Most
important wildlife inhabiting the Valbona Valley include roe deer and wild boar.[47] We
can also witness the presence of western western capercaillie and golden eagle.[47]

The endangered brown bear still survive within the boundaries of the park.
Sources of water, becks and glacial lakes are the basis of life for water insects,
amphibians, and salmons. Species of fish are represented with species such as
the marble trout and river trout.[48] The limited number of species is determined by the
predominant bodies of water including glacial lakes, streams and upper river courses,
which are inhabited by fish species.
Due to its strategic position and the mosaic distribution of various types of habitats, the
park is quite rich of bird genera. The total number of bird species is
145.[49] Important birds of prey with high conservation value include the golden
eagle, booted eagle, egyptian vulture, sparrowhawk, goshawk, lanner falcon, saker
falcon, peregrine falcon and honey buzzard. The park hosts seven species and
populations owls, such as the barn owl, scops owl, eagle owl, little owl, tawny owl, long-
eared owl and short-eared owl. Other families of birds inhabiting the park include
the alpine swift, alpine accentor, great cormorant, grey heron, rock partridge, common
ringed plover, stock dove, common cuckoo and eurasian golden oriole.[49]

Demography[edit]
Valbonë Valley has been inhabited since classical times what argues for the proper
conditions that valley provides. The villages where the population is concentrated are:
Rrogam, Valbona, Dragobi and Çerem which are located at the valley extensions.After
90’ the situation began to change. As a result of not favorable economic conditions, the
majority of the population moved out. Valley is inhabited by "Krasniqi" and "Gashi"
tribes.[50][51] A part of the population that has left the village, is settled at lower villages of
Margegajmunicipality. Despite the recent changes that have been made in the
demographic structure, the population still differs for its vitality. This affects at their
ability to be active in the sector of tourism. Only during the years 1995-2002, villages
like Çerem and Rragam have had a population decrease respectively of 63% and
57%.In 2008 the population at these villages was 920 persons but now it is 817.
Stopping the phenomenon of the people leaving their country, is important, in order to
reduce the risk of villages turning into seasonal ones. [52]
It is a transboundary park in Albania and Montenegro, with the highest biodiversity value
of the country's mountain mainlands.[53] Moreover, Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro are
planning to establish another tri-state park in the area, that will be called the Balkan
Peace Park.[54]
Four villages are located within the park (Dragobi, Valbonë, Cerem and Rragam) with
852 inhabitants. All of these factors create more favorable conditions for coexistence
and socioeconomical development, including Valbona National Park. Clean air, high
and characteristic mountain peaks, lakes, numerous water resources, forests,
mountains, flora and fauna provide conditions for profitable eco tourism. [53]

Village Demography Male Female % of females Number of families Family members average

Dragobi 370 192 179 48% 112 3.3

Çerem 208 110 98 47% 67 3.1

Valbone 299 127 112 47% 69 3.46

Rragami 103 46 57 55% 22 4.68

Total 817 474 446 49.25% 270 3.63

Traditions[edit]

Popular Games in Valbona

Traditional wedding in Valbona

In family and social life there are preserved folk festivals with various forms of
entertainment. Spiritual wealth is manifested in verbal and musical folklore, especially in
the legendary epic.
Among the traditional festivals of the area are Saint George (Shën Gjergji), which is
celebrated at 6 May as "The summer’s day", "Saint Nikol" (Shënkolli) a religious holiday
celebrated at 5 December and 26 December or Dukagjini's. [53] Popular folk dances of the
area are 'Men's Dance', 'Dance of the Bride', 'The Sword Dance' and 'Dance of
Flowers'.[53][37] Legendary songs associated with two-stringed lute, flute, zumara, leaf
sheet with the toy are also among the values which need to be treasured. [53]

Economy[edit]
Entrance road towards Valbonë Valley.

The Valbona Valley offers natural and cultural potential for the economic development
of the area. The peripheral position, wars, hostile climate, deficient and not functional
infrastructure are factors affecting the economic backwardness of Valbona Valley. [52] The
population lives mainly from agriculture and farming. [55]
Being a protected area, it makes forestry impossible to be developed. The industry is
represented by a Water bottling factory called Valbona. Tourism which recently is being
developed rapidly, is considered to be the future's sector of Valbona Valley. However
the population still can’t provide their living only by tourism. [52]
Agriculture[edit]
Agriculture is ranked on the top in the economical structure of the area since it provides
income for majority of the local people. Agricultural land is generally scarce and located
on the slopes and some small valleys. Land users care for both, the preservation and
cultivation. The land is divided into portions, according to family property. A particular
thing of the area is that the possibilities of irrigation of agricultural land are numerous
and unlimited. Agricultural land is mainly used to cultivate corn, potato, rye, beans,
vegetables and fodder. Agricultural and livestock products are completely natural
(organic).[53] Food is generally fresh and home made, but sometimes it can be even
canned and processed by the inhabitants of the village. [56] Their way of cooking is
entirely traditional. Besides agriculture, inhabitants deal with breeding of livestock such
as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, beekeeping etc. Locals produce products such
as meat, milk, wool and skins.[53]

Hotel Fusha e Gjes,[57] one of the first and largest hotels in the valley

Tourism[edit]
Small chalets in Valbona

Valbona Tourist Info Point (TIP) Guesthouse opened in 2012, and expanded in 2019

Considering the benefits that tourism can provide, the national government has
classified it as a priority.[52] Even though it is based mainly on nature, the tourism in
Valbona requires the necessary infrastructure. The rocky peaks of mountains such as
the Mount Jezercë, Kollata e Keqe Mount, Pecmarra Mount attract the attention of
visitors.[53] The Valbona River is unnavigable because of the frequent rains. The nature
is rich in suitable varieties for tourism such as fishing and mountaineering. The
numerous potentials of the valley enable the developing of several types of tourism
such as climbing, white, rowing, rural, cultural, gastronomic, medical and adventurous
tourism.

 Alpinism is based at the presence of high mountains. Foreign tourists practise

mostly this kind of tourism in Valbona.
 White tourism and heliskiing[58] in particular has taken off as a substitute to the
organized alpine resort structures, as the infrastructure needed for this kind of
tourism is not suitable, despite the presence of snow for about 6 months.
 Rural, cultural and gastronomic tourism is based in the locals lifestyle, legacy and
traditions which has been treasured by them.
 Medical tourism is based on the healthy climate, clean air and water and the organic
foods that valley offers.
 Adventure tourism has suitable conditions to be developed due to the wild nature.
Local people are building up their income with tourism activities such as renting rooms,
accompanied by characteristic local hospitality and traditional home made cooking.
Initiated and supported by the Government of Albania, the Albanian Development Fund
and Margegaj Municipality is being built a tourism complex which should accommodate
around 500 people, on a surface of 4200 m2. Valbona National Park is expected to be
one of the most important oases of the country. [53] Clean air, high mountain peaks, lakes,
numerous water resources, forests, mountains, flora and fauna of Valbona Valley
National Park provide conditions for eco-tourism experiences.[53][27]
Hydroelectric power plants[edit]
The future of tourism in the valley is being seriously challenged by the construction of
hydroelectric power plants on Valbona River.
In January 2016, local people in Valbona Valley National Park learned of the plans to
build as many as 14 hydropower plants along 30km of Valbona River, 8 of them wholly
within the National Park. The procedure and content of the projects’ environmental
impact assessments demonstrate non-transparent decision making, disregard for local
communities’ well-being and indifference towards high conservation value ecosystems,
including a complete disregard of the fact that the development is occurring in a
protected area.[59]
Even though issuing of permits for such activity is illegal on protected areas, the
government has backed down from revoking licenses citing expensive legal recourses
which it can’t afford to pay to developers. On the other side, local activists are
organizing various awareness campaigns called Don’t Touch My Valbona' (Mos ma
prek Valbonen in Albanian) to pressure authorities to stop the construction of the plants
which are well under way along a section of Valbona River.

Gallery[edit]


Albanian horses in the park

 

Maja Jezercë

The endemic Tulipa albanica on the park

The valley formed by the Shalë river

During the twillight



Xhemas Lake