Rugova Canyon

Rugova Canyon
Rugova Canyon and Peć Bistrica river in the right
Location	Kosovo
Nearest city	Peć
Coordinates	42°41′32″N 20°10′07″E / 42.692222°N 20.168611°E / 42.692222; 20.168611Coordinates: 42°41′32″N 20°10′07″E / 42.692222°N 20.168611°E / 42.692222; 20.168611
Area	4.301,05,49 ha
Established	1985

Rugova Canyon or Rugova Gorge (Albanian: Gryka e Rugovës; Serbian: Руговска клисура, Rugovska klisura) is a river canyon near Peć in Western Kosovo, in the Prokletije mountains, close to the border with Montenegro. With a length of 25 km (16 mi) and a depth up to 1,000 meters, Rugova is considered to be one of Europe's longest and deepest canyons. It was created by water erosion and the retreat of the Peć glacier. The Peć Bistrica river cuts through the canyon.

In 1985, Rugova Canyon was declared a protected monument of natural heritage due to its geological, hydrological, speleological and botanic values and its spectacular landscape.

The canyon starts to narrow about three kilometres from Peć and continues to narrow for the next six kilometres, creating a steep valley which the river of Peć Bistrica flows through. It narrows again in an outfall along the western road of the region connecting Kosovo with Montenegro. The average depth of the valley is 650-1000 meters. The canyon is inhabited on its east side and also on its west side during the summer months.

There are a few waterfalls and many water-springs, such Uji i Zi (Black Water) and Kroi i km-5 (5-th Km Spring). In the sixth kilometer of the canyon there is a 25 meter high waterfall that springs out from the cliffs on its southern side and drops to the river. Many hundreds of caves are to be found in the gorge with most of them still unexplored. Well known caves include Gryka e Madhe (the Great Canyon-cave system; which has around 11km explored), Shpella e Karamakazit (Black Scissors cave) and Shpella e Kallabes (Kallaba Cave; where the archaeological remains of ancient humans have been found). A well known arch bridge connects the canyon, in front of which is a rock with a drawing of an athlete that is thought to be from the Pelasgian period.

The Gryka e Madhe (Great Canyon-cave) is located in the 8th kilometer of Rugova Canyon, in the left side, about 60 m above the Lumbardhi river, in the altitude 637 m.