Kukës, the City of the Colorful Trail at the Foot of Mount Gjallica

Located at the foot of Mount Gjallica (2487m) in northeastern Albania and on the shore of Lake Fierza, the city of Kukës is one of the newest cities in Albania.

It is part of the mountainous region of Luma and was established on an ancient historical settlement, evidenced by Illyrian graves discovered in the village of Këneta.

Kukës is bordered by the city of Prizren in Kosovo to the northeast and east via the Morina border point, and by Has in the north, the city of Puka to the west, and Peshkopi to the south.

Due to its location at the confluence of the White and Black Drin rivers, Kukës offers a picturesque mountain landscape, resembling a peninsula in shape.

For years, Kukës has been a popular mountain destination for both foreign and local tourists passionate about nature, mountain trails, valleys, forests, springs, meadows, and highlands.

The Colorful Trail is one of Kukës’ most beautiful attractions, offering a variety of mountain flowers that decorate the area’s alpine meadows. This trail starts from Çaja mountain and extends to the Korab valley, near the border connecting Albania with North Macedonia and Kosovo. Exploring this picturesque trail, which can be traversed on foot in a few hours, you can see the natural monuments “Gryka e Vanave” between Koritnik Mountain and Gjallica Mountain; Bela Waterfall and Lake Kallabak.

Also, during a drive in Kukës, don’t miss the Keqe Pass Canyon, a natural monument near the village of Bicaj in Kukës; the magical panorama offered by Mount Gjallica, about 2,489 meters high, where you can see the entire city of Kukës and where professional alpinist groups organize climbing and hiking; the village of Shishtavec, 33 km southeast of Kukës. Shishtavec, as a natural monument, offers several tourist attractions, like the Shishtavec highlands and the Morning Stone, a rocky and cliff massif, part of Albania’s natural monuments.

The artificial Lake Fierza, created over the bed of the Drin River, is another enchanting attraction of Kukës, serving as a connecting hub among residents living in the mountainous regions of Kukës, Tropoja, Has, and Puka.