Theth is a wonderful village in northern Albanias Shkodra region.

Set among the peaks of the Shala

mountains, Theth is isolated, and in times of snow, practically inaccessible. Edith Durham, a famous
English traveler and writer on the Balkans, visited the area in 1908. She wrote of its seclusion:I think no
place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from the entire
world. It is a spot where the
centuries shrivel; the river might be the worlds well-spring, its banks the fit home of elemental
instinctspassions that are red and rapid.
Legend has it that Theth was founded 400 years ago by 6 brothers. Individual parts of the village
still bear the names of these brothers. In a presentation at the International Peace Research Association,
Antonia Young, an anthropologist who participated in a 2005 research project in Shala valley, suggested
this perceived family link could be the explanation for the unusually low levels of internal conflicts and
blood feuds in Theth. According to Theths primarily Catholic inhabitants, the village was founded as a
refuge to escape conversion to Islam by the Ottomans.
After the Second World War and the countrys self imposed isolation, access to the markets
in Montenegro and Kosovo dried up.
The fall of communism led to emigration and a declining population. Antonia Youngs team only
found 17 families who reside in Theth year-round. Many of these depend on remittances from relatives
who have sought employment elsewhere in Albania and abroad. The inhabitants of Theth receive very
little government assistance. They lack electricity as well as telephone or radio communication to
surrounding villages.
Theth also contains 12 small mills and a functional hydro plant. During the period of March to
November, Theth is visited by around 5000-10000 foreign tourists yearly.
UNDP is seeking to improve Theths economic prospects by promoting tourism in the area. In
cooperation with the German Technical Cooperation Enterprise, GTZ, it has provided initial funds to
several households which will allow them to convert their homes into Guesthouses. UNDP says this
strategy could help the whole community:
Despite the challenges to tourism development in Theth, the potential is enormous. Residents
young and old can benefit from increased tourism by becoming local tour guides, while others can
produce and sell traditional handicrafts as souvenirs.
1. THETH NATIONAL PARK
Established in 1966, Theth National Park covers an area of 2630 ha and ranges in altitude from
approx. 1200 m to 2567 m (summit of Mt Radohima). It is located about 45 km from Koplik and 72 km
from Shkodra. Its main extension is on the embouchure of the river Theth. Human activity is subject to
regulation in three distinct zones, A, B and C: in zone A all human activity is prohibited, in B it is
conditionally prohibited and in C strictly regulated. If these rules were respected, there would without
doubt be adequate protection for plant and animal life in the area. As things stand at present, however, no
action is even taken against illegal tree felling.
The most striking mountain peaks and passes (moving clockwise from the north) are: the peak of
Jezerca, which is Albanias highest peak, lying just outside the park at the north of the valley (2679 m
high), followed by Peja Pass (1776 m), the Dry Peak (2543 m), the pass of Lugu i Valit, the saddle of
Zhapora, the peaks of Papluka (2569m) and Alije (2471m), the saddle of Valbona (1876 m) and Mt
Valbona (1966 m) at the east, the wooded Mt Zorgji at the south (1663 m), Mt Arapi (2217 m), Mt Boshi
(2415 m), Shtegu i Dhenve (Goats Track, 2104 m), and Mt Radohima (2567 m) at the west.
Almost two thirds of the park are covered in trees; in many places, the steep wooded terrain is so
inaccessible to humans as to be considered primeval forest.
1.1 GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
The Dinaric Alps are a chain of mountains in southeast Europe that stretch the length of the
Adriatic coast and reach both their highest point (Mt Jezerca, 2692 m) and greatest width in
northern Albania. No other part of the Balkans offers high mountain scenery of such distinctively rugged
and forbidding beauty. The barren karst landscape is a regular feature, since the rock here is
predominantly limestone indeed this is Europes largest region of karst topography. Thanks to its

unique geomorphology and hydrology, the region has become the focus of important scientific karst
research. Dolines (sinkholes), chasms and karst caverns are found wherever water penetrates the rock.
These barren, rocky wildernesses can provide unusual attractive itineraries for hikers; until now, however,
they have brought little in the way of economic development to the indigenous population.
The valley of Theth was formed by the ice movements, especially on the northern side. Theth has
mountains that are up to 2570 meters over the sea level. This height is reached at the top of Radohima.
The inhabited area of Theth is positioned 600 to 1000 meters over the sea level. Theth is linked to some
other areas through some strips that are up to 1600 meters over the sea level.
In the territory of Theth and around it are located 170 caves and semi caves, from which ten are
internationally known. The most beautiful and the most important are the cave of Rrathve and
the cave of Harapi.
1.2. HYDROGRAPHY
The area is crossed by a water network that flows from both eastern and western slopes in the
valley. The River Theth rises from several different sources and streams above Okol. The direction of the
flow is from the north to the south. In heavy rains it is prone to a sudden and violent swelling, destroying
crossing points and fords. Perhaps most famous is the gorge of Grunas Canyon, standing 40 m tall and
just one meter wide. Visitors can look down into the canyon from a wooden bridge. Following the path in
an easterly direction, one arrives at a cascading waterfall. Further downstream at Ndrlysa, the River
Theth merges with Lumi i Zi (Black River), which in its upper stream consists of a raging torrent which
carves a path through the rocks before reaching the tranquil lowlands and merging with the Theth to
become the River Shala, which ultimately flows into the Drin. The river of Theth is crystal clear and foamy
in some places. It flows with a range of 1000-1300 l/sec and an average water temperature of 7C. One of
the most distinguished properties of this river is the abundance of mountain trout. Theth has over 80
water sources and three waterfalls, and they all flow to the river. There are also many springs of water
named Okol, Nikgjonaj etc. Grunas Waterfall and Gjeaj Waterfall are two of the most sensational
spectacles of the National Park of Theth. They originate from rocky parts of the mountains around the
park. The height of the first one reaches 30 meters of root water and the second 24 meters.
The main streams of the valley are the brook of Shan Deda, the brook of the Sheep, the ones of
Ded Lula, of Gurra, of Shkafi, of Vali, of the Border and the stream of Belona. These streams flow in the
mountainous territory and are precipitous during the winter. Theth has many springs that can serve as
water supply for tourists. You can virtually find water in every place you encroach in Theth, from the
heights of mountains, to the center and they also maintain considerable flow in all seasons of the year.
Theth waters have permanent purity and very low temperatures. Their flow varies from 0.2 l/sec to 10
l/sec.
1.3. CLIMATE
The climate in these mountains is complex and the biodiversity is great. The Dinarides act as a
climatic divide between Mediterranean (coastal) and moderately continental areas. Moisture-laden warm
air masses accumulate on the cool, high mountains, leading to comparatively high precipitation levels.
The Park has a hostile climate in the winter with snowfalls that range from 1.5 meters in the lower
part up to 3 meters in the higher part of the park. The park has an average of 2900-3000 mm rainfall per
year. According to the seasons rainfalls are spread as follows: in spring 21%, in summer 9%, in autumn
32% and in winter 38%. Mostly the rainfall is in the form of snow creating a stable covering for some
months. With small investments, the hallways of the valley with stable snow can fulfill the standard
dimensions of stadiums for applying winter sports.
The temperatures range from +20 C to +26 C in June and go down to -14 C and -20 C in the
freezing winters. The snow stands more on the slopes, largely in the western part where the sun falls less
during the day.
Theth has 110 sunny days per year.

1.4. FLORA AND FAUNA

This diversity of habitats which is closely related to the mountain-Mediterranean climate has
created through centuries a rich diversity of flora and fauna in the region of Theth. A study carried out a
few years ago recorded the existence of at least 1650 plant species within the confines of
the Theth National Park. 85 species are rare and threatened with extinction, 4 are endemic (found only
here) and 16 are sub endemic.
The four endemic plant species are: Wulfenia baldaccii (plantain, or Plantaginaceae), Petasites
doerfleri Hayek, Lilium albanicum and Viola ducaginica, which for obvious reasons have no English
names.
On the other hand, the genus Gentiana is widespread here, continuing to bear the name it was
given in classical antiquity, where it is said to have been particularly common in Ancient Illyria. Genthios
was the name of the last Illyrian king, defeated by Romans in Shkodra in 168 BC. It is said the king was
the first to use Gentiana asclepiadea (Willow Gentian) as protection against plague. In the area there are
over 130 medical plants. 50 plants can be eaten and around 50 are used for coloring. All these come from
the spontaneous flora as: beer plant, wild pomegranate, wild fig up to a height of 900 meters above sea
level, etc.
The main species of mammals encountered here include deer, wolf, fox, brown bear, lynx, otter,
wild pig, wild rabbit, wild goat, jackal, hedgehog, chamois, badgers, wild boar and roe. The European
brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a very shy creature and a rare sight in these parts; stones upturned during
the hunt for small animals provide an occasional clue as to their presence. The Balcan chamois
(Rupicarpa rupicarpa balcanica) is also native to the high mountains. Hunting animals are the wolf,
hare, ibex, weasel, and fox. And in the river can be found the speckled trout, which is also one of the nicest
fishes.
Bird
species
include
the golden
eagle, snake
eagle, honey
buzzard, peregrine
falcon, capercaillie, rock partridge, scops owl, Eurasian eagle owl and the snow finch. Among the
amphibians there are the alpine salamander(southern most distribution), fire salamander, yellow-bellied
toad and fire bellied toad. The rich herpetofauna include the fence lizard, green lizard, Greek tortoise and
snakes such as the true vipers including the poisonous horned viperand adder.
Many species of butterflies are found, which makes Theth one of the richest area in Europe for
butterflies.
The forest is mainly composed of oak, pine, bushes, hornbeam, osier etc. If the forests of the
national park are well maintained, they can produce a considerable amount of wood for fire thus
fulfilling the needs of inhabitants for heating.