Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park

Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park (also know as Parku Kombëtar Bjeshkët e Nemuna in Albanian and Национални парк Проклетије in Serbian) is a 630 km² park located in the western part of Kosovo, in the districts of Peć and Gjakova, in the border with Montenegro and Albania. Its most famous part is Rugova Canyon (not far from Peć) that has narrow roads across mountains, glacial lakes and deep woods where practising plenty of outdoor sports. Its mountains (that reach in Albania and in Montenegro) are considered one of the nicest in east Europe and are preserved in a very good way.

 

How do I arrive to Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park ?

 The area isn't easy to reach, mostly arriving from Peć.

• Bus: there are minibuses from Peć that connect it with all the villages in Rugova Canyon.
• Car: from Peć it can be reached Radac (aprox. 15 minutes), Drelaj (aprox. 30 minutes) and the rest of villages in the National Park. You can reach Boga from Kuqishta (aprox. 15 minutes). It can also be reached from Prokletije National Park (aprox. 2 hours) in Montenegro and Valbona Valley National Park (aprox. 3 hours) in Albania.

 Once in the Park the best ways to move around the park are the car or taxis.  

History

The area was inhabited since the time when people lived in caves, proven by the discovery of a man's femur in Radaci Cave. The earliest official documents about Rugova are from the 13th century, being heavily populated two centuries later. After the invasion of the Balkans by the Ottoman Empire (1389), Rugova was part of the Sanjak of Scutari, from the 16th century part of the Sanjak of Dukagjin and after 19th century administrative division, Kosovo Vilayet. Rugovians opposed the Ottoman Empire by participating in the Austro-Turkish War and being part of Assembly of the League of Prizren (1878) and the League of Peja (1899). After the First Balkan War Rugovans fought against Serbian occupation, being part of Italy during WW2. This area was shelter of Albanian fighters during Kosovo War, suffering major damage and losing many citizens. It was designated National Park in 2013, to protect its ecosystems and biodiversity (with large mammals like wildcats, chamoises, roe deers, grey wolves, lynxes and brown bears and oak forests), as well as the cultural and historical heritage. In recent years the number of residents has dramatically decreased.

 

What can I visit in Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park ?

These are many things to do in Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park such as trekking, potholing, rafting or zip-line. Here they'll be explained now according to the town or village where they are or the nearest one:     

• The main entrance to the National Park is located in Peć. Here the visitor can get information about Rugova Canyon and Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park visiting Rugova Gorge Visitor Center (8-20 from May to Sep; 8-16 from Oct to Apr). Only 4 km from Peć starts a Via Ferrata (7 km), the only of the Balkans. It's very safe and can be done regardless of age, providing with spectacular views of the Rugova Gorge and the rush of adrenaline. Going by that via it can be visited the Cave Mbretëreshës.
• In the north of the National Park, close to village of Radaca (Radacë in Albanian, Радовац in Serbian), there's a nice waterfall, White Drin Waterfall. In Racada can be visited Radaci Cave (booking on advance, from Apr to Oct), a 2.1 km long cave that can be visited on a 30-40 minutes tour.
• Drelaj (Drelë in Albanian, Дреље in Serbian) is a 74 inhabitants village located in the heart of Rugova Canyon, by river Peć Bistrica. It's a popular tourist excursion and recreational destination. In the village it can be seen Drelaj Mosque, a mosque built in 1915 that is the oldest one built in the National Park, and has a Monument of National Hero Jashar Haxha that conmemorates this hero from Rugova Canyon, who is mentioned in several Albanian folk songs. Not far from here the visitor can get into Rugova Gorge Cave, the deepest cave ever found in Kosovo.
• In the small village of Reka Allages (Rekë e Allagës in Albanian, Алагина Река in Serbian), 9 inhabitants, starts one of the most popular trips in Rugova Canyon, Hajla Trail (11 km). The destination of this nice trail is arriving to Hajla Mount (2,403 m) in the border of Kosovo and Montenegro. It's a demanding trip but from its top there are excellent views of Montenegro.
• Kuqishta (Kuqishtë in Albanian, Кућиште in Serbian): 9 inhabitants small village by river Peć Bistrica located near the Montenegro border. It's considered to be the last village of Rugova Canyon before reaching Prokletije range.
  • Lake Leqinat: beautiful mountain lake (elevated 1,970 m over sea level) located by Mount Leqinat (2,341 m). It's one of the most visited points of Rugova Canyon and the biggest glacial lake in Kosovo. In the winter the lake in frozen, during the summer months one can swim in the lake (being sometimes crowded). There are Triton lizards with orange stomach swimming in the lake.
  • Lake Leqinat and other places with natural beauty can be seen while taking Guri i Kuq Trail (16 km), a trail that climbes the mountain Guri Kuq (2,522 m high mountaint that is one of the highest mountains in the range). In the way it can be enjoyed places like Drelj Lake, a small located by Mount Leqinat (2,341 m), close to Lake Leqinat.
    
  • Border Crossing Čakor between Kosovo and Montenegro. 
    
• The westernmost place in the National Park (and of Kosovo) is Boga (Bogë in Albanian, Боге in Serbian), a 24 inhabitants small village that has rapidly became a popular holiday resort with a cheap ski resort (Boga Ski Resort) that attracts many visitors. 
• In the southern part of the national park the human presence is even lower. Here there's also a route, Gjeravica Route (21.1 km), that goes to the top of the highest peak in Kosovo, Gjeravica Peak (2,656 m high).
• There's a round-route called Peaks of the Balkans (192 km) that goes all over Prokletije mountain range visiting Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. The parts that take place in Kosovo are the following ones: Dobërdol in Albania-Tromeđa-Miliševac in Kosovo (18.2 km), Miliševac-Rugova Canyon-Reka e Allagës (16.24 km), Reka e Allagës-Pepaj-Drelaj-Dugaiva- Kuqishta (23.26 km) and Kuqishta-Babino Polje in Montenegro (15.8 km).

Rugova Canyon

Lake Leqinat

Where can I eat in Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park?

This National Park is almost uninhabited so it's important to bring food from outside the park.

Posted in: Europe,Kosovo,National Park