Erzen River Canyon

"You won't be able to believe that there's a place like this just outside the capital.

GETTING THERE: I drove from Tirana to the village of Pellumbas. The road is paved all the way, if somewhat twisty and potholed as you near the village. It's also frequented by trucks, so getting there might take longer than expected. I parked below the restaurant just after entering the village (free); there is also a dedicated parking lot for the Pellumbas cave; can't confirm if this is free or paid.

HIKING: From the village, I followed the marked trail to the cave. This is an easy walk. (You'll need a proper flashlight to explore the cave.) Below the entrance of the cave, there is an obvious path that leads down into the canyon. This trail is not marked, is very steep and slippery, and keeps getting steeper as you descend. I wouldn't attempt it if it's been raining, with small kids or dogs, or if you don't have experience with scrambling. It looks deceptively short, but note that the cave sits a good few hundred meters above the canyon. Once you reach the canyon (took me about 20min from the cave), follow the narrow but visible (unmarked) path down the river and back to the village. The hike is fun and not very challenging if you're used to this kind of hikes. The loop took me about 3h total, with gratuitous stops for photos. The canyon will take your breath away.

SWIMMING: I swam in the canyon at the end of October. The water is coldish but pleasant."

Antonija Magaš

"One of my best hiking experiences ever.

The Kanioni i Erzenit or Erzeni Canyon is a true natural wonder. The River Erzen has carved a stunning narrow gorge between two mountains, creating a unique and beautiful landscape. The canyon boasts crystal-clear blue waters and thrilling rock formations.

I participated in an organized tour starting from Prishtina, Kosovo, which eliminated the need for private transportation from Tirana. Our hike began at the Pellumbas village and followed a well-defined trail. Along the way, we stopped at the Pellumbas Cave, an unexplored and wild cave. Unfortunately, it started raining during our descent through the dense forest, making it treacherous for those without proper rain gear and hiking experience. However, we made it to the river before the rain stopped.

The natural beauty surrounding the canyon was breathtaking. Although the waters were not as clean as one would hope, they still added to the overall magic of the scenery. The slippery terrain required careful steps, especially when close to the cliff edges.

The return hike followed a trail alongside the river back to Pellumbas. If you are a nature lover, I highly recommend taking a day trip from Tirana to visit this gem in Albania. Just be sure to bring a strong heart and proper hiking gear!"

Besnik Avdiaj

"Breathtaking Views and a refreshing swim! (Wasn’t able to Reach Canyon)

This hike offered stunning mountain and river views, and while I didn't quite make it to the "canyon" lookout, the adventure itself was still rewarding! However, be aware that the trail can be a bit of an adventure even for a local like me. I followed google map.

Here's what to expect:

There aren't designated markers along the way. Even though I didn't reach the final viewpoint, the journey offered views of mountains and the sound of the flowing river, making it a peaceful escape. The lack of marked paths also means no crowds. Enjoy the tranquility of nature!

At some point, you might encounter a water canal branching off the main path. It's tempting to follow it as a potential shortcut, but after a while, it seems to reach a dead end.

Instead of following the canal, keep heading downwards from the point where it forks off. This will take you on the right course all the way down the river (assuming you can find it).

Even if you take the wrong turn and follow the canal for a bit (at least the section I got to explore), it's still a beautiful hike. Just be aware that it might not lead you to the river.

Overall, this is a great off-the-beaten-path adventure for experienced hikers who don't mind a bit of route-finding and are comfortable with unmarked territory. Just be prepared for a potential detour and the possibility of not reaching the designated canyon viewpoint. But then again, I didn’t really plan this much. Better planning could have lead me to the canyon.

Happy Hiking (and Navigating)!"

E. B.T.