Thethi National Park, National park in Shkodër County, Albania
Thethi National Park covers 2,630 hectares around Theth village in the upper Shala Valley, enclosed by peaks such as Radohima, Arapi, Poplluka and Jezerca. Its limestone and dolomite terrain holds the Grunas Canyon and the southern wall of Arapi, considered the highest rock face in the Balkans. The park was established in 1966 and merged into the Alps of Albania National Park in 2022.
The area received protected status in 1966 to safeguard the mountain ecosystems of the region. This was a turning point for Albanian environmental conservation and led to the designation of other mountain areas as well.
Theth village, in the upper Shala Valley, was declared a Protected Historic Center in 2017, and the park was created to safeguard the region's cultural and historical heritage alongside its ecosystems. The village holds the park's visitor centre and offers numerous places to stay. The stone church with its steep shingled roof and small bell tower stands on open grass within the settlement.
Theth village lies 70 km from Shkodra in the Shala valley, reached by an asphalted pass road over the Qafa e Thorës; the visitor centre is in the village. The Peaks of the Balkans long-distance trail crosses the park, and a footpath over the Qafa e Valbonës (1,795 m) links it with Valbona Valley National Park. The Grunas cave, Albania's largest horizontal cave, at the foot of Arapi is not developed for visitors.
At the foot of the Arapi massif lies Albania's largest horizontal cave, which is not developed for visitors. The southern wall of the Arapi is considered the highest rock face in the Balkans. The park also holds the Grunas waterfall and a narrow, deeply cut gorge south of Theth village.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,418 contributors worldwide.
