What is Këlcyrë Gorge and where is it located?
Këlcyrë Gorge is a natural canyon created by the river Vjosë, lying west of the town of Këlcyrë at approximately 40°17′51″N 20°9′54″E in Gjirokastër County. The town’s name itself comes from "Klisura", meaning "narrow canyon". Këlcyrë sits in a strategic position between the Trebeshinë and Nemërçkë mountains.
This limestone pass forms the western entrance to the valley. For more on local natural features, see our landmark detail for Këlcyrë Gorge, our Vjosa rafting guide, and military history like the Capture of Klisura Pass (1941).
Why are the gorge dimensions unverified?
Many travel blogs and online guides state that the gorge is "13 km long" or "up to 1,000 m deep". However, these figures are not supported by any official source or verified geographic survey.
Neither the National Tourism Agency nor official park documentation establishes these specific measurements. The gorge is best understood by its physical setting between two mountain ranges and the Vjosa river rather than unverified numbers.
How is the Vjosa River running through the gorge protected?
The Vjosa river running through the gorge is described by the National Tourism Agency as "one of the last wild rivers in Europe". On 15 March 2023, the river and its surroundings were declared a national park.
It is Europe’s first Wild River National Park. It is protected under IUCN Protected Area Management Category II and safeguards over 400 kilometres of free-flowing river.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name of Këlcyrë Gorge mean?
The name of the town and gorge comes from "Klisura", meaning "narrow canyon". This name describes the natural passage carved by the Vjosa river between the Trebeshinë and Nemërçkë mountains.
How long or deep is Këlcyrë Gorge?
There are no official measurements or verified sources supporting numbers such as 13 km length or 1,000 m depth. Neither the National Tourism Agency nor park documents publish these dimensions.
When was the Vjosa River declared a National Park?
The Vjosa River was declared a National Park on 15 March 2023. It is Europe’s first Wild River National Park, protected under IUCN Category II over 400 kilometres of free-flowing river.
Where exactly is Këlcyrë Gorge located?
The gorge lies west of the town of Këlcyrë at coordinates 40°17′51″N 20°9′54″E in Gjirokastër County. It sits between the Trebeshinë and Nemërçkë mountain ranges.