Sotira Waterfall, the 'Niagara' of Albania

This article exists in Albanian

Albania is a country blessed with natural beauty and as such should be promoted to both domestic and foreign visitors. This time I was lucky to visit the Sotira Waterfall (Ujëvara e Sotirës), located about 22km from the city of Gramsh. The waterfall is 100 meters and in the northeast of Tomorri there is a large spring passing through the limestone rock. The height of the waterfall ranges from 5 m to 20 m. The panorama is amazing from the hill in front of the waterfall you can see this miracle of nature and hear the rushes of water.

A group of young people left Tirana on Sunday morning to Gramsh. The journey from Tirana to Gramsh reveals a series of panoramas especially in the spring season, where greenery and flowers keeps  you in awe. A short stop at Lake Banja is preferred by everyone, a great places for taking photos. Thereafter, a trip to Gramsh continues, then we stop for a coffee break. The city of Gramsh is quiet and the passersby happily greets our group.

The next stop is the village of Sotirë, a picturesque village with few residents, telling us that about 20 houses are in this village. Until now their income comes from agriculture and livestock, but optimism seems in their eyes as they hope that the village will be a place visited by tourists.
We hear the same thing from Erjola, the owner of a small grocery store and modest coffee bar. As we ask how you feel when you see that your village has become known at least by the Albanians, she responds optimistic. "I think that the village will develop especially after the recent news that we have heard that the village of Sotirë has been declared among the 100 touristic villages in Albania and is expected to have investments. This is what we want and we wish it will happen soon. "

After this stop the group continues about an hour of hiking to reach the destination. But the waterfall can be reached with Ford 4X4. However, the group decide to walk and enjoy the greenery scenery. As we approach, we hear the waterfall gurgling in distance and enthusiastically we climb the hill. And surprisingly we face with the stunning Waterfall of Sotira. We go down to see it closely and of course to take photos, then  we climb to the hill where we sit to rest and consume the lunch. The tranquility of the nature of this area made it harder for us to leave.

This was a truly astonishing journey away from city noise and away from smartphones. There's no WiFi here but surely you’ll get a stronger connection.

Tips:

• Waterfall is recommended to be visited in mid-April and in May

• Due to the lack of infrastructure, it is difficult to pass through with small vehicles. You can go by van or a Jeep.  From the city of Gramsh to the waterfall the journey takes about two hours.

• There are no restaurants in that area so make sure to take lunch

Check my photo gallery

Waving our hats to Tomorri Mountain

A stone house

Woman doing her daily work 

View from the hill