The Valbona Valley (Albanian: Lugina e Valbonës) is located in the Albanian Alps in northern Albania. It is part of the Alps of Albania National Park, one of the most impressive natural features in Albania. The valley is the southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps, which is a section of a long mountain range called the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt. This range stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Himalaya Mountains. The mountains in this area are made mostly of limestone and dolomite, and they have many karst features, which are landforms created by water dissolving rocks. Maja Jezercë is the highest mountain in the Dinaric Alps, reaching an altitude of 2,694 meters (8,839 feet). It lies to the west of the valley. The Valbona River begins at several karst springs near the south of Maja Jezercë and the east of Valbona Pass. It is the largest river in the Albanian Alps and flows through the eastern part of the mountain range. In the past, glaciers covered much of the park. During the Würm period, the Valbona glacier was 9.5 kilometers long. Today, there are two very small glaciers near the northeastern side of Maja Jezercë.

The Valbona Valley and its surrounding mountains were protected as Valbona Valley National Park in 1996. In 2022, this park was combined with Theth National Park to create the Alps of Albania National Park. The park covers an area of 80 square kilometers (31 square miles) and includes the Valbona River, mountainous terrain, alpine landscapes, glacial springs, deep depressions, rock formations, waterfalls, and dense forests of both coniferous and deciduous trees. The park is known for its remote areas, which have a well-preserved ecosystem with little human impact.

The park’s remote location and small human population, along with its many different ecosystems and climates, support a wide variety of plants and animals. About 89% of the park is covered by forests. Animals living there include brown bears, gray wolves, lynxes, roe deer, chamois, and wild goats. The forests are made up of many tree species, such as beech, pine, and oak. In the past, Norway spruce was the most important tree species in the area. This species is found in few places in Albania.

Valbona Valley National Park was created by a decision from the Council of Ministers on January 15, 1996. The goal was to protect the natural ecosystems, landscapes, plants, and animal communities in the area.

Within the park, the Gashi River is part of the UNESCO Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe. It is also part of the European Green Belt, a region that provides a home for rare and unique species. The park has also joined the EUROPARC Federation. Plantlife, an organization that studies plants, has recognized the park and the Albanian Alps as an Important Plant Area of global importance because they support many plant species. The region is also part of the Emerald Network, a system of protected areas in Europe that are important for conservation.

Environment

Valbonë Valley National Park is part of the Albanian Alps, which are the southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps. The park is entirely within Kukës County and is mostly located between latitudes 42° and 27° N and longitudes 19° and 53° E. The U-shaped Valbona Valley stretches between Maja Jezercë, Maja e Kollatës, Maja Boshit, and Maja e Hekurave. From the Shoshani Bridge to Fierzë, the valley passes through the Tropojë catchment and the hilly areas between Bujani and Tëplani. The park is bordered by 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.

The park is located in the Albanian Alps, where winters are cold and summers are hot and dry. At higher elevations, temperatures remain cool even in summer. The park’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea influences its climate, which also reflects characteristics of the continental climate.

The coldest months are December to February, and the warmest are July to August. Winter temperatures range from -23.4°C (-10.1°F) to -16.1°C (3.0°F), while summer temperatures range from 36.4°C (97.5°F) to 39.9°C (102°F). Annual rainfall averages between 2,700 and 3,000 millimeters (110 to 120 inches), with higher amounts at higher elevations. About 22% of rainfall occurs in spring, 8.7% in summer, 32.3% in autumn, and 38% in winter. Snow begins in October or November at higher altitudes and lasts until March or April. Snowfall reaches heights of 1.5 to 5 meters and lasts 60 to 160 days.

The park’s landscape is mountainous and broken, with steep slopes, high ridges, and deep river valleys. Mountain slopes are nearly vertical, with rocks hanging over rivers, and peaks shaped like towers covered in trees. The Albanian Alps are the highest part of the Dinaric Alps and formed due to the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. The area is heavily karstified, meaning rain and snow quickly seep into limestone systems. Glaciers left significant erosion evidence in the region, unlike the Alps in Central Europe, where glaciers are less common.

Geological formations include limestone, limestone-siliceous rock, clay shale, and conglomerate. Gray forest soils are found on limestone, while brown forest soils and meadow soils cover agricultural areas. Grey forest soils are present between 500 and 1,200 meters, and Velvet Lands extend along the valley’s left slope from Mbaskollata to Shoshani at 400–900 meters. The oldest rock formations are from the Paleozoic era, containing quartz minerals. Limestone from the Mesozoic era is widespread and forms the main ridges of the Alps. Mixed with dolomite and shaped by karst features, these rocks create rugged terrain. Insoluble flysch deposits form harsh landscapes. Carbonatite rocks dominate the region, except in Valbona and Dragobia, where schist is found.

The park has many water sources, including the lakes of Shkodër and rivers such as Drin, Buna, Shala, and Valbona. The Valbona River, the longest in the Albanian Alps at 50.6 kilometers (31.4 miles), begins on the southern slopes of Maja Jezercë and flows through the U-shaped valley to the village of Valbona. It becomes the Fierza River near Fierzë, surrounded by high mountains. The river flows through the village of Valbona and continues to Dragobia. Valbona River is a tributary of the Drin River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. Waterfalls form near the source of the river, and the Shoshani Source is a major water supply for the Tropoja District.

Xhemas Lake is a natural water body fed by underground springs. It reaches a depth of 3 meters in winter and is located at 770 meters above sea level. The lake is surrounded by beech trees and limestone cliffs.

The park is home to many threatened and endemic plant and animal species. Vegetation levels in the Albanian Alps include alpine, subalpine, and subnival tundra caused by permafrost. The park falls within the Dinaric Mountains mixed forests ecoregion of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forest. Forests in the park are a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees growing on limestone and dolomite. Common tree species include various pines, beeches, and Norway spruce. The upper parts of the valley have mixed forests of silver fir, common beech, Norway spruce, and Scots pine.

The banks of the Valbona River are covered with grey alder, olive willow, and goat willow. The park also has wetland areas with species like narthecium, carex, and sphagnum. Steep slopes and ravines are home to largeleaf linden, sycamore, ash, and wych elm.

The park’s diverse climate and elevation support a wide range of wildlife, making it one of the most important areas for biodiversity in the country.

Demography

Valbona Valley has been home to people since ancient times, showing that the area has good living conditions. The villages where most people live are Rrogam, Valbona, Dragobi, and Çerem, which are located at the edges of the valley. After the 1990s, the situation changed because of economic challenges, causing many people to move away. The valley is mainly inhabited by the Krasniqi and Gashi tribes. Some people who left the valley now live in lower villages in the Margegaj municipality. Even with these changes, the population remains active and energetic, which helps them participate in tourism. Between 1995 and 2002, villages like Çerem and Rragam lost 63% and 57% of their population, respectively. In 2008, these villages had 920 people, but now they have 817. Stopping the trend of people leaving the area is important to prevent villages from becoming only temporarily inhabited during certain times of the year.

Valbona Valley is a shared protected area between Albania and Montenegro, and it has the highest level of biodiversity among mountain regions in the country. Four villages—Dragobi, Valbonë, Cerem, and Rragam—are located within the park, with 852 people living there. These conditions, along with the presence of Valbona National Park, help create better opportunities for people to live together and develop economically. The area has clean air, tall mountain peaks, lakes, water sources, forests, and a wide variety of plants and animals, which support eco-tourism.

Traditional festivals and celebrations are still practiced in family and social life. Cultural traditions include songs, music, and stories, especially epic tales. Important festivals in the area include Saint George’s Day on May 6, celebrated as "The summer's day," Saint Nikol’s Day on December 5 and 26, and Dukagjini’s Day. Popular dances include the "Men's Dance," "Dance of the Bride," "Sword Dance," and "Dance of Flowers." Music traditions include songs played on a two-stringed lute, flute, zumara (a double clarinet), and leaf sheet with a toy, all of which are important cultural treasures.

Economy

The Valbona Valley has natural and cultural resources that could help the area grow economically. However, its remote location, past wars, harsh weather, and poor infrastructure have made it difficult for the economy to develop. Most people in the area rely on farming and agriculture for their livelihood.

As a protected area, the valley cannot support forestry development. The only industry in the region is a water bottling factory named Valbona. Tourism is growing quickly and is seen as the future of the area, but it is not yet enough to support the local population.

Agriculture is the most important part of the local economy because it provides income for most people. Farmland is limited and located on hills and small valleys. People take care of both preserving the land and using it for farming. Land is divided into small plots based on family ownership. The area has many opportunities for irrigation, and the farmland is used to grow crops like corn, potatoes, rye, beans, vegetables, and fodder. All agricultural and livestock products are natural and organic. Food is usually fresh and homemade, but sometimes it is canned or processed by villagers. Cooking methods are traditional. In addition to farming, people raise livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry, and they also keep bees. They produce goods like meat, milk, wool, and hides.

Tourism is considered a priority by the national government because of its potential benefits. Although tourism is based on nature, it requires proper infrastructure. The valley’s mountain peaks, such as Mount Jezercë, Kollata e Keqe, and Pecmarra, attract visitors. The Valbona River is not navigable due to frequent rains. The area has many opportunities for tourism, including climbing, white-water rafting, rural tourism, cultural tourism, gastronomic tourism, medical tourism, and adventure tourism.

• Alpinism is possible because of the high mountains. Many foreign tourists visit the valley for this type of activity.
• White-water rafting and heliskiing have become popular because traditional alpine resorts are not available, even though snow lasts for about six months.
• Rural, cultural, and gastronomic tourism is based on the traditions and lifestyle of the local people.
• Medical tourism is possible because of the clean air, water, and organic food in the valley.
• Adventure tourism can grow because of the wild and natural environment.

Local people earn income through tourism by offering rooms for rent and providing traditional meals. With support from the Albanian government, the Albanian Development Fund, and the Margegaj Municipality, a tourism complex is being built to accommodate about 500 people on a 4,200 square meter site. Valbona National Park is expected to become one of the country’s most important natural areas. Its clean air, mountain peaks, lakes, water sources, forests, and rich wildlife make it a good place for eco-tourism.

The future of tourism in the valley is threatened by plans to build hydroelectric power plants along the Valbona River.

In January 2016, people in Valbona Valley National Park learned about plans to build 14 hydropower plants along 30 kilometers of the river, with 8 of them located entirely within the National Park. The process for these projects shows decisions that are not clear or open to the public, ignore the well-being of local communities, and do not respect the area’s high conservation value. Building hydropower plants in a protected area is illegal, but the government has not canceled the licenses because it cannot afford the legal costs. Local activists are working to stop the construction through campaigns called “Don’t Touch My Valbona” (Mos ma prek Valbonen in Albanian). Some of the plants are already being built along a section of the river.

Gallery

• Albanian horses located in the park
• Maja Jezercë
• The endemic Tulipa albanica on the park
• The valley formed by the Shalë river
• During the twilight
• Xhemas Lake