05a Banjat e Benjës - Lengarica Canyon from above and inside
near Benjë-Novoselë, Gjirokastër (Albania)
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Itinerary description
This is a roundtrip crossing a mountain and going back inside a riverbed. You will have to swim some small parts most likely even in hot summer. In the time of melting snow or rainfalls I would discourage walking the riverbed but recommend a canoe. Of course in either case you should take care to have a waterproof backpack to carry your electronics.
In case you want to make an easy hike for the walk back you can take the route I described on my hike to Banjat e Benjës which will give you some nice views into the canyon – but this is incomparable to the walk inside.
(more verbose description will follow soon)
In case you want to make an easy hike for the walk back you can take the route I described on my hike to Banjat e Benjës which will give you some nice views into the canyon – but this is incomparable to the walk inside.
(more verbose description will follow soon)
Waypoints
Provisioning
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Restaurant
Fountain
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Thermal Spring
Lake
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Thermal Spring
Lake
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Thermal Spring
Comments (5)
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As of august 2019, this hike is only doable up to about 600m after the second interest viewpoint ("highest viewpoint"). Afterwards, one reaches what seems to be a "new" deep cliff (likely the result of land subsidence) that we tried to circumvent, to no avail. In any case, the hike up to the "highest viewpoint" is only moderatly challenging
can’t believe how clear was the water in 2013, i’ve done the loop twice, once as described here and once on the car road. the water inside the Lengarica canyon now (2020) is all moody and awful, because on top of the canyon there is a hydropower station wich keeps and deviates 95% of the water for its usage and only 5% goes to the canyon. it’s a huge crime. nice job on the trail though!
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Itinéraire fait aujourd'hui (7 août 2021) mais en sens contraire : nous avons remonté le lit du canyon et sommes rentrés par le dessus. Il y a effectivement plusieurs passages où il faut nager sur de courtes distances (5 a 10m) -> emporter sac étanches pour matériel numérique.
Le lit de rivière est effectivement chargé en argile : on a très souvent l'impression de marcher dans la vase : c'est un peu déroutant au début mais la clarté de l'eau est rassurante.
La solitude des que l'on s'enfonce un peu dans le canyon contraste avec la foule qui se baigne dans les eaux thermales à l'entrée du canyon....
Pour le retour, le début est facile à trouver mais dès que l'on quitte le chemin de 4x4 on s'engage sur un sentier assez peu entretenu : le GPS nous a été bien utile !
Au global : magnifique et impressionnant !!!
I have followed this trail View more
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We did this trail in November 2022. The landscape is absolutely amazing but be really well prepared for that. The time in the canyon is very long (3-4h) with most the time your feet in the cold water. There are few moments very tough with water up to the breast. It was amazing but quite stressful as we didn't expect so much time in the canyon, maybe a trail to reserve at summer time when the water is warmer and the days longer ?
Madrugar mucho y evitar fin de semana porque habrá más de 2.000 personas ... Recomiendo como hicimos dormir allí donde se puede acampar sin problema y bañarse al anochecer y amanecer ... En julio y agosto el bar está abierto 24 horas y siempre gente toda la noche ... Si te gusta la fiesta y el tecno es una buena opción sino evitar temporada alta