Lengarica Canyon (Kanioni i Lengaricës) is an epic natural attraction near the town of Përmet, in the Bredhi i Hotovës National Park. It is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, with towering cliffs, numerous caves and hot springs. While it might not be as extensive and striking as the nearby Osum Canyon, its splendour is on par with it. An unforgettable experience is a walk along the riverbed of the canyon, which is up to 150 metres deep and only three metres wide in places.
The canyon is about five kilometres long. It begins behind the newly constructed dam on the Lengarica River and ends by the Kadiu Bridge at Bënja Thermal Baths, where the valley suddenly widens. There are several caves in the gorge. In one of them, traces of prehistoric inhabitants from the Copper Age have been found, but it was also used by the Illyrians.
In summer, when the water level is low, it is possible to walk through the entire canyon through the riverbed. Start at the Kadiu Bridge and finish after about two hours at the bridge near the dam, from where you can go back either on the left or right side of the canyon. The parts, where the gorge is the most narrow, are right at the beginning (10-15 minutes after the Kadiu bridge) and then about halfway through, where side gorges enter the main canyon from the left and right. See map.
Be prepared to wade often and have water more than waist deep, but you won’t encounter any major obstacles. I recommend packing something waterproof for valuables and electronics.
At the Kadiu Bridge begins also the breathtaking five-hour walk around the Lengarica Canyon which offers numerous views of the main canyon, lateral gorges and several waterfalls.
One of the most popular activities offered by local agencies is horseback riding in the surroundings of Lengarica Canyon.
About three kilometres from the Kadiu Bridge lies the village of Bënja, which is typical for its stone houses and the newly restored church of the Virgin Mary (Kisha e Shën Mërisë) surrounded by cypress trees. For its charm and historical value, the village has been declared a conservation area.
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