The viewing balconies
Metal platforms over the gorge, opened in 2017.
Arbenllapashtica — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada — CC BY-SA 2.0 · PurpleChicken25 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pasztilla aka Attila Terbócs — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada — CC BY-SA 2.0
Osum Canyon is a limestone gorge cut by the Osum river in Skrapar, just south-east of Çorovodë, and is often called Albania's Grand Canyon. Albania's protected-areas agency describes it as about 13 km long, 4 to 35 m wide and up to 70 to 80 m deep between sheer walls; the national tourism agency gives over 26 km. The water wore away and dissolved the rock, leaving walls pitted with karst hollows where wild pigeons and falcons nest. A natural monument since 2002, the canyon is rich in legend: a reluctant bride is said to have hidden in a small cave, the Bride's Hole, and near Dhorës, Bektashis visit rock marks like a hoof print and a staff, held to be traces of Abbas ibn Ali. South of Çorovodë the paved road follows the rim past two metal viewing balconies opened in 2017, and about 7 km by road from town a single-lane bridge spans the gorge. In spring, streams pour off the walls as waterfalls and rafting runs from about February to June on rapids easy enough for beginners; in summer's low water, guided walks wade and swim through it. The rim viewpoints lie some 36 km south-east of Berat Castle in a straight line, and Çorovodë is about 50 km from Berat by paved road. It makes a day trip, stopping at Bogovë for the 20-minute walk to its waterfall. River levels shift with rain and snowmelt, so go on the water only with licensed operators who supply helmets and life jackets.
Metal platforms over the gorge, opened in 2017.
Easy rapids between sheer limestone walls.
Wading and swimming through the narrows.
Canyon rim road, about 3 km south-east of Çorovodë, Skrapar
Yes, from about June to October, when the water is low: guided river walks of about 2.5 to 3 hours wade the shallows and swim through narrow sections, and some end with a steep climb out. A trail of about 9 km also follows the left bank from the Blezënckë bridge to Çorovodë.
It is a karst cave in the canyon wall, about 8 m long and 2 m across. Legend says a bride being taken to a husband she did not want prayed for the rock to open, hid inside until the wedding party left without her, and young brides hoping for children later came to visit it.