Rafting in Albania — The Osumi Canyon Experience

Albania's mountain rivers still run free, and three of them stand out for rafting.

Osumi Canyon (Osum River) — The most spectacular rafting trip in Albania. The Osum River has cut a narrow canyon up to 80 metres deep through the mountains near Çorovodë, in the country's south. For roughly 26 kilometres, you float between sheer rock walls, beneath the canyon's many waterfalls, especially powerful in spring — among them the Waterfall of Love and Bigas Waterfall (pinned on Google Maps as "Ujëvara Hasmegaj" — the local name is Bigas) — and pass directly under the Old Italian Bridge partway through the route. See our complete Osumi Canyon guide for everything beyond rafting. Rafting here is only possible from February to mid-June, when snowmelt from the Tomorr mountains feeds the river.

Vjosa River — Europe's last major wild river and now a National Park, the Vjosa offers wide, powerful water and beautiful open valley scenery near Përmet. It's a fantastic river — but it's a different experience: broad and scenic rather than enclosed and dramatic. See our Osumi Canyon vs Vjosa River comparison if you're deciding between the two.

Devoll River — A lesser-known option in southeastern Albania with shorter commercial trips and limited operators.

If you want the single most memorable rafting day in Albania — the one where photos don't do it justice — Osumi Canyon is the trip. The canyon walls close in around you, the light shifts with every bend, and for hours the only way forward is the river itself.

Rafting on the Osum River runs from 1 February to 14 June.

Why these dates? The Osumi is a snowmelt river. Through late winter and spring, melting snow from the Tomorr mountain range keeps water levels high enough for rafts to run the full canyon. By mid-June the river drops, and rafting gives way to our summer activities.

From 15 June to 30 November, the canyon transforms: we switch to tubing and water activities — floating the calmer summer river on individual tubes, swimming in emerald pools, and jumping from the rocks. Our canyon hikes run from June 15 to October 5, and the Lost Castle hike runs all year.

Our meeting point is in Çorovodë, the small town at the gateway to the canyon.

• From Tirana (approx. 3 hours) — Drive south to Berat via the SH4/SH72, then continue on the Berat–Çorovodë road, which follows the Osumi valley upstream. Always follow the route via Berat — it is the only fully paved road. Ignore any map shortcut through the mountains.
• From Berat (about 1.5 hours) — A single scenic road runs from Berat toward Çorovodë along the river. Combine your rafting day with a visit to Berat's UNESCO old town — the "city of a thousand windows." See our guide to Osum Canyon from Berat for the full route.
• From Përmet (approx. 2 hours) — Cross the mountains via the Këlcyrë–Çorovodë road for one of southern Albania's most beautiful drives.

No car? Ask us about transfer options when booking — we regularly help visitors arrange transport from Berat.

The rafting season runs February to mid-June, and spring dates fill quickly. Book your Osumi Canyon adventure today — or message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you pick the perfect date.