Valbonë Valley National Park, National park in Shkodër County, Albania
Description
The park covers a high mountain region in the Albanian Alps with forested slopes, rock faces, and a long valley shaped by the river. The landscape ranges from deep sections to ridges above the tree line, where only rock and grass remain.
History
The area served for centuries as a passage for traders and shepherds traveling between valleys. Only in the late 20th century was the region officially recognized as protected natural land and the community began to receive visitors.
Culture
Valbonë takes its name from the river that has supplied the community with water for centuries. Locals live here in small numbers but still maintain knowledge of alpine farming and use the surrounding meadows as grazing land for sheep and goats.
Practical
Access usually involves a ferry ride on Lake Koman followed by a drive through the Valbonë valley on narrow roads. Weather shifts quickly, so visitors should prepare for rain or sudden cooling even in summer.
Did you know?
During spring months, snowmelt transforms small streams into rushing water that fills the valley with a constant background roar. On clear days, you can spot the jagged peaks of the Radohima range in the distance from higher ground.
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