TIRANA, May 21 – “Start your journey from your Albania.” This is motto the Albanian National Tourism Agency has chosen to promote the Canyons of River Osum, nicknamed as the Albanian Colorado. Situated in the southern region of Berat, the Osum Canyons are 26 km-long at an altitude of 450 metres offering one of the most spectacular natural attractions of Albania.
Stripped of its opportunity to be used as a tourist destination until the early 1990s after the collapse of the communist regime, the Canyon has recently become one of the most important tourist attractions for foreigners who want to enjoy the rare scenery it offers and practice rafting.
Brikena Arapi, the director of the National Tourism Agency, describes the Osumi Canyon and its waterfalls as an untouched work of Mother Nature which must be promoted more.
Data show some 2,000 tourists visited the Osumi Canyons in March-October 2012 with more expected to visit this year.
Zamo Spathara, the President of the Albanian Rafting Federation established in 2011 as a union of several associations and groups, is one of the first people to have practised and promoted rafting in Albania. After several years of experience abroad, he is now back in his native Berat where he has established his own team of rafting guides which offers sport tourist rafting rather than extreme rafting.
The National Tourism Agency has placed Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at the focus of the country’s promotional campaign for 2013.
Since 2008, Berat has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list as a rare example of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. Located in central Albania, Berat bears witness to the coexistence of various religious and cultural communities down the centuries. It features a castle, locally known as the Kala, most of which was built in the 13th century, although its origins date back to the 4th century BC.
Osumi Canyons
The Osumi River canyon is one of the most spectacular natural attractions of Albania. During the spring, high water from melting snow make it possible to explore all 26 km (16 mi) of the canyon from the river. Spring is also the best time to view the many waterfalls in the canyons, which thunder from above as explorers pass below on boats. The rapids are Class-II, so one does not need prior white water experience to join the fun. At the end of the summer, when the water is lower, boating the full length of the canyon is not possible, but there are many wonderful hikes with opportunities for swimming in various pools and streams.
The edges of the canyon are notable for its unique ecosystem that preserves the greenery on both sides of canyon year-round. Mediterranean bushes like heath and briar flourish along with a rich and lively world of flora and fauna. On the slopes of the canyon, erosive activity has created pockmarked cavern walls, with small caves to explore as well. Some of the rock formations in the canyon have fanciful names such as the Cathedral, the Eye, and the Demon’s Door, according to a description on the Western Balkans Geoturism MapGuide.
