DESTINATIONS
If you’re wondering how to get to Osumi Canyon from Berat or Tirana, this guide will help you with everything — from choosing the right route, picking between buses, car rentals, private drivers, or group tours, to knowing how much time and money you’ll need in 2025.
Osumi Canyon is around 26 kilometers long, with high cliffs that reach up to 80 meters in some parts. The Osum River runs through it, cutting between rocks that shine under the sun.
In spring, you can even join Osumi Canyon rafting trips when the water level is high. During summer, the river is calm and perfect for swimming or walking along its banks.
What makes this place special is not only the canyon itself but also the road that takes you there. You pass small mountain villages, olive trees, and friendly locals waving as you go.
It’s not just a destination — it’s a journey through the real heart of Albania.
By 2025, roads have improved a lot between Tirana, Berat, and Çorovodë, making travel easier than before. You can reach it in a few different ways depending on your time, comfort, and budget.
Before we dive into all the routes, remember one thing: Osumi Canyon is not only about getting there. It’s about enjoying the ride — stopping at Berat Castle, tasting local food like byrek or fresh river trout, and meeting kind people who still live simple, traditional lives.
So let’s start your journey from the capital, Tirana, and see how to reach this natural beauty in 2025.
From Tirana to Osumi Canyon: The Full Journey
If you start your trip from Tirana, you first travel to Berat, and from there continue to Osumi Canyon. The total distance is around 150 kilometers, and the drive takes around 4 hours depending on stops and traffic.
The easiest and most flexible way is to rent a car in Tirana. You’ll find many agencies both in the city and at Tirana International Airport. In 2025, car rental prices are around €30–€50 per day, depending on the car type and insurance.
The main route is Tirana – Durrës Highway (A2) for a short while, then you follow the SH4 road south to Berat. The road is paved and easy to drive, with a few bends as you get closer to the hills near Berat. From Tirana to Berat takes about 2.5–3 hours.
You can stop in small towns like Lushnjë or Rrogozhinë for a quick coffee. Albanians love their roadside cafes, and it’s part of the fun to sit with locals for a few minutes before continuing your Albania road trip.
Once you reach Berat, it’s another 1-hour drive to Osumi Canyon. The road is narrow but scenic. You pass through small villages, farmlands, and see the mountains opening in front of you. Parking at the canyon is free, and there are small snack stands during summer.
If you don’t want to drive, take the Tirana to Berat bus. Buses leave from Tirana South Bus Terminal (Terminali i Autobusëve të Jugut) every 30–60 minutes between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The trip costs around €6–€8 and takes 3 hours.
When you arrive at Berat Bus Terminal, you can take a taxi or contact a local driver to continue to Osumi Canyon. Usually, local drivers charge about €30–€50 round trip for the one-hour drive.
In 2025, several agencies in Tirana offer group tours to Osumi Canyon that include transport, guide, lunch, and sometimes rafting.
Prices range between €60–€120 per person, depending on the season and whether rafting is included.
You can find these tours on platforms like GetYourGuide, Viator, or directly from local travel offices in Tirana’s Blokku area or near Skanderbeg Square. Most leave early in the morning and return late in the evening.
For a more comfortable ride, you can hire a private driver. Many Albanians now offer this service through hotel receptions or apps like GoTaxi or Makina Me Qira Albania.
Expect to pay between €100–€140 for a full day, including waiting time at the canyon.
This option is great if you want to make stops along the way — maybe visit Belsh Lake, Berat Castle, or have lunch in the old Mangalem Quarter before heading to the canyon.
From Berat to Osumi Canyon: Short Trip but Full of Views
Once you reach Berat, the journey to Osumi Canyon is short but beautiful. It’s about 26 kilometers, and the drive takes around 1 hour each way.
If you didn’t rent one in Tirana, you can easily rent a car in Berat. Many small local agencies are based near the Mangalem and Gorica quarters. Prices in 2025 range from €30–€40 per day.
The road to Osumi Canyon is the SH74 road that goes toward Çorovodë. It’s mostly paved but narrow, with some turns. Still, it’s safe and offers lovely mountain views. On the way, you can stop at Bogovë Waterfall, another hidden gem worth a visit.
If you don’t want to drive, local taxis in Berat offer day trips to Osumi Canyon. Prices are usually around €40–€60, including waiting time and return.
You can book these through your hotel or find them near Berat Castle Road or Republic Street. Some drivers even act as informal guides, sharing local stories or stopping for pictures.
Local vans (shared minibuses) sometimes go toward Çorovodë. You can find them early in the morning at Berat Bus Station. They don’t run often and are slower, but they’re cheap — around €3–€5 per ride — and a great way to experience Albanian travel like a local.
Many travel agencies in Berat now offer Osumi Canyon day trips or rafting packages. Prices range from €40–€90 per person. They include transport, a guide, safety gear, and lunch by the river.
If you travel in spring, this is the best way to see the canyon, as the guides know the safest water routes. You can find agencies near the old town, like Berat Outdoor Adventure or Albania Rafting Group.
Whichever way you choose, the drive from Berat to Osumi Canyon will be one to remember — full of mountain air, stone bridges, and clear river views.
What the Road is Like: The Drive Experience
The road from Berat to Osumi Canyon feels like a slow-motion movie through nature. The first few kilometers are smooth, passing small fields and old stone houses. As you go higher, the hills turn greener, and the air feels cooler.
Drivers will notice that Albanian roads can be narrow but not dangerous. Locals often honk when turning a sharp corner — it’s just a way to say “I’m here.” You might also see goats or cows crossing, so take it easy.
There are small cafes and mini-markets along the way. One nice stop is the Bogovë Waterfall area — a short hike from the main road and perfect for cooling off.
When you finally arrive, the canyon opens up suddenly in front of you — a dramatic view of cliffs and blue-green water. There are a few wooden platforms where you can stand and look down.
The road experience itself is part of the Albania travel adventure. You can stop to talk with locals, buy honey or olive oil from roadside stands, or enjoy a short picnic by the river.
If you visit during spring or early summer, you’ll see the river full and strong, great for rafting. In late summer, the water is calm and clearer, ideal for swimming. Either way, the ride there is just as special as the place itself.
Best Time to Visit in 2025
The best time to visit Osumi Canyon Albania depends on what you want to do.
If you’re going for rafting, come between March and June, when the snow from the mountains melts and fills the river.
If you prefer to walk, swim, or take photos, July to September is perfect.
The weather is warm, the road is dry, and there’s little traffic.
Autumn brings soft light and colorful hills — great for photos. Winter is quiet but sometimes rainy, so it’s not ideal for rafting or hiking.
In 2025, local tours now operate longer into autumn because of mild weather. Also, the new Berat–Çorovodë road maintenance project has made travel smoother all year round.
Plan your visit early in the day. Start from Berat around 8:00 AM, and you’ll reach the canyon before most tours arrive. Bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. There’s no big restaurant nearby, but you can find small family places serving fresh food in Çorovodë.
Booking Your Trip: Where and How
You can book your trip in a few simple ways:
Online: websites like GetYourGuide, Viator, or local Albanian platforms.
In-person: in Tirana or Berat tourist offices.
Hotels and guesthouses: many help book drivers or tours directly.
If you’re taking the bus, buy your ticket at the terminal. No need to prebook; buses are frequent. For car rentals, always check if insurance and GPS are included.
For Osumi Canyon tours, always ask what’s included — lunch, transport, and guide — and confirm pick-up time.
Traveling in Albania in 2025 is much easier than before. Google Maps works well, but locals often know shortcuts, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Visiting Osumi Canyon Like a Local
If you want to travel like a local, take it slow. Stop in small cafes, talk with people, and taste rakia (local brandy). Visit Bogovë village for fresh mountain water.
Wear shoes that can get wet, because even if you don’t plan to swim, you’ll want to walk in the shallow river parts. Bring snacks, but don’t litter — locals are proud of keeping the canyon clean.
If you plan to drive yourself, a few driving tips for Albania will help. Albanian roads are safe, but they can be narrow and winding.
Locals drive fast, so keep to your lane and go at your own pace. Always fill your car in Berat because there are no gas stations close to Osumi Canyon.
The nearest fuel stop is about 10 kilometers before Çorovodë. Gas prices in 2025 are around €1.70 per liter for petrol and €1.60 for diesel. If you rent a car, check that you have a spare tire, GPS, and that the car is insured for rural roads.
For navigation, Google Maps works well on main roads, but it sometimes shows shortcuts that are not real roads.
Waze is also popular and helps you avoid traffic or roadwork. Still, it’s smart to download offline maps before you go — especially if you lose signal in the hills.
Apps like Maps.me or Google Offline are good options. Locals are always happy to help if you get lost — just say “Osumi Canyon?” and someone will point you in the right direction.
When you return to Berat, end the day with dinner in the old Gorica Quarter, watching the castle glow under the evening light. That’s what it means to see Albania like a local.
Easy and Worth Every Minute
By now, you know how to get to Osumi Canyon from Berat or Tirana — and you’ve seen that it’s not just about directions, it’s about discovering real Albania.
Whether you go by car, bus, tour, or local van, the journey will show you much more than a canyon. You’ll pass through history, villages, smiles, and stories.
Travel in Albania in 2025 is simple, affordable, and full of surprises. So pack your camera, plan your route, and go see why Osumi Canyon Albania is one of the country’s most loved natural places.
It’s easy to reach — but hard to forget.
FAQs
You can reach Osumi Canyon from Tirana in about 3.5 to 4 hours (around 170 km). The easiest route is Tirana → Durrës Highway → Lushnjë → Berat → Çorovodë. From Berat, the canyon is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away (65 km). You can go by rental car, private driver, guided tour, or public bus to Çorovodë, then take a taxi to the canyon.
Yes, you can explore Osumi Canyon without a guide if you’re driving or hiking. Trails are easy to follow, especially if you use Google Maps, Waze, or Maps.me (offline map). However, if you plan to raft or enter the water, it’s best to join a local tour for safety and better access to hidden parts of the canyon.
The best time is April to October. Spring and early summer are ideal for rafting when the river is full, while late summer and autumn are great for hiking and photography due to lower water levels and clear weather. Avoid heavy rain periods, as the canyon can become slippery and unsafe.
Yes. You’ll find several local restaurants and cafés between Berat and Çorovodë, especially in villages like Bogovë and Poliçan. Many offer homemade Albanian dishes such as grilled lamb, fresh cheese, and mountain trout. It’s a good idea to carry snacks and water, as options are limited near the canyon itself.
No, a regular car can reach the canyon, as the main road from Berat to Çorovodë is paved. However, parts of the final 2–3 km access road near the canyon can be rough and narrow. If you’re visiting after rain or plan to explore smaller paths, a 4×4 or SUV is recommended for comfort and safety.
Related Posts
