Holta Canyon, the unknown destination that you should visit
Holta Canyon is one
those places that leaves you breathless at first sight. I traveled with a
group from Tirana with a minivan and as we are getting near the road that leads to
canyon amazing landscapes drives me crazy. Holta Canyon is 30 minutes from Gramsh city in Albania and about 3 hours from Tirana. The canyon was formed over time through the process of erosion due to the Holtë River. The area displays the phenomena known as karst topography. The Canyon is 3 km long, 350 meters high and 10 meters wide, is made up of many caves that have not yet been explored by adventurous travelers. Limestone karst topography lines the Canyon, creating a rare and beautiful site, rich in stalactites and stalagmites.
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| The entrance of Holta Canyon |
Village life, people doing their
everyday routine and as we walk near by them they smiled and waved us. It is unbelievable
to think that this area was unknown, only people who live knows the beauty of
this place. As I was walking towards this canyon I was thinking how is
impossible that I never heard of this.
We stopped every 5 minutes to take
pictures, we couldn’t miss to show the world about this incredible place. When
we arrived our guide explained to us that we have to pass through the ice cold
waters. Of course I accepted the challenge, this couldn’t stop me to look for
more. We stayed about 2 hours starring the beauty of the canyon, the cave and then swimming and
sunbathing. Before we departed we stoped in a traditional restaurant in Qerret
village. After the lunch me and my friends decided to rest near the Reservoir of Banja.
The best time to visit Holta Canyon is May to September when weather it’s still warm.
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| Photo: Saimir Çala |
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| Banja Artificial Lake, Gramsh, Albania |
Nice blog Silvia!
ReplyDeleteI travel a lot too but mostly on bike. You can have a look here: https://www.facebook.com/AdventuresOnTwoWheels/
I am planning to visit Holta Canyon and Sotira Waterfall (I red your last post about the waterfall :) ) in the upcoming days. This time not on bike but with van ;)
I wanted to get an opinion from you if it is better to split them in two different activities or to go at both of them in the same day?
Thank you, Endri for your comment!
DeleteIf you are travelling from Tirana on a bike I'm afraid it could be exhausting to go to Holta Canyon before and then Sotira Waterfall. Because the road of village Holta and Sotira aren't paved. Since I don't travel by bike (even though I'd love) I can't tell you exactly if that would be easy.
P.s I just liked your Fb page.
Congrats and Bon Voyage!
You missed the part where I said that I am with van this time. I'ts too hot to travel for that long distance in a single day at this time.
DeleteThanks for following on my page and we hope to be together in any activity that we create. Sometimes we leave the bikes behind to go hiking.
P.S. Grab a bike and come tomorrow (occurring every last Friday of the month) at Skanderbeg Square at 6 pm on Critical Mass Tirana event. There will be a lot of other people with their bikes for a short ride around the city.
Yes, indeed. Sorry for that. Thank you for your invitation. I will keep an eye on your page for upcoming events and activities. I do know about Critical Mass Tirana.
DeleteWhere did you start the Holta Canyon trek. I am trying to find information where to start and finding that there isn't much information.
ReplyDeleteWe traveled on a van from Tirana to Canyon Holta. You only have to walk about 10-15 minutes on foot from the last stop where vehicles can reach.
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