Albania’s Valbona Valley is famend for its dense previous development forests and excessive biodiversity.
In the case of tourism, the Balkan nations are typically overshadowed by a few of Europe’s bigger western nations, however that doesn’t imply there isn’t a world of spectacular magnificence to be discovered all throughout the peninsula. Verdant valleys, towering mountains, and a various array of native Balkan species are only a few of the highlights that await guests to this historic area. As you intend your subsequent journey to Europe, don’t miss out on all the ample pure magnificence that the Balkan peninsula has to supply.
Una Nationwide Park
Una Nationwide Park was formally established in 2008.
On the western fringes of Bosnia, Una Nationwide Park provides a couple of of essentially the most beautiful waterfalls discovered all through the Balkan Peninsula. A number of the protect’s most iconic flumes may be discovered within the tiny village of Martin Brod, whereas the Štrbački buk serves because the park’s largest waterfall, measuring in at 82 toes tall. Una Nationwide Park could also be finest recognized for its water options, however the area can be dwelling to some fascinating artificial constructions as effectively. Within the tiny village of Ostrovica, guests can take a stroll as much as the Ostrovica Fortress, a crumbling Fifteenth-century fortress that gives beautiful views of the encircling countryside.
Tara Nationwide Park
Along with huge forests, Tara Nationwide Park can be filled with karst caverns.
Roughly 4 hours southwest of Belgrade, an oasis of pristine pure magnificence exists within the type of Tara Nationwide Park. The japanese outskirts of the park are dwelling to some fascinating historic relics just like the Eleventh-century Rača Monastery, however for these searching for wildlife, there’s a world of alternative inside the coronary heart of the park. The realm is roofed in huge quantities of pristine pine, fir, and spruce forest, with a wealth of iconic Balkan species all thriving inside its borders. Lynx, wolves, and falcons are only a few of the creatures that may be noticed by fortunate guests, and in the case of Serbian brown bears, there’s no higher place for a sighting than Tara Nationwide Park.
Pirin Nationwide Park
Pirin Nationwide Park turned a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1983.
The southwestern reaches of Bulgaria are dwelling to some really spectacular mountains, and there’s no higher place to expertise them firsthand than Pirin Nationwide Park. There are roughly 150 sq. miles of land to discover round right here, with huge swathes of previous development pine forest that function dwelling to over 200 completely different animal species together with brown bears, grey wolves, and golden eagles. Timber are a standard sight round Pirin Nationwide Park, however one specimen specifically is an absolute must-see for first-time guests. Generally known as Baikushev’s pine, this Bosnian pine is roughly 1,300 years previous, making it the oldest coniferous tree alive in the present day in Bulgaria.
Kerkini Lake Nationwide Park
Lake Kerkini was designated a Ramsar Wetland in 1975.
Trendy-day Kerkini Lake is a paradise for visiting birders, however this idyllic physique of water is definitely a comparatively latest invention, created again in 1932 by the damming of a close-by river. Over time, Kerkini Lake has developed into some of the coveted birdwatching spots in all of Greek Macedonia, with over 300 completely different avian species recorded alongside its waters over time. Birds—together with white pelicans and flamingos—are the primary attraction round right here, however fortunate guests might be able to spot a herd of launched water buffalo as effectively.
Valbona Valley Nationwide Park
The Valbona Valley Nationwide Park was designated a nationwide park in 1996.
Whereas the towering peaks seen above wouldn’t look misplaced in Switzerland or Austria, this vary is definitely a part of the Accursed Mountains, a formation that’s additionally known as the Albanian Alps. There’s no scarcity of idyllic villages to discover throughout Valbona Valley starting from Dragobi to Valbona, however this iconic park is dwelling to much more than simply people. The wealthy biodiversity of the western Balkan peninsula is on full show round right here, with brown bears, chamois, and lynx all calling the park dwelling.