Pellumbas Cave

The cave at Pellumbas, called Shpella e Zeze or the Black Cave locally, is a limestone cave about three hundred and sixty metres long above the Erzen gorge, reached by a walking path of about forty minutes from the village that climbs along the side of the gorge with the river below. Excavation has found evidence of Palaeolithic occupation along with cave bear remains, which is what gives it archaeological interest. Inside there are chambers with formations and no lighting, so a torch is essential and the far end requires care. The gorge itself is the other half of the trip, with a via ferrata route installed on the rock face and a canyon that can be walked in low water. It is the easiest cave trip from Tirana.

Background

The Cave of Pëllumbas, called Shpella e Pëllumbasit or Shpella e Zezë in Albanian, is a karst cave in central Albania. It lies on the slopes of Dajti, a mountain chain rising to 1,613 metres, in the Skorana Gorge near the village of Pëllumbas in Tirana County, about 500 metres above the Adriatic. The cave is 360 metres long, 10 to 15 metres wide and has a vertical range of 45 metres. Though small, it is counted among Albania's most beautiful caves and draws many visitors. It lies inside Dajti National Park and is recognised as a natural monument of national and international value; its importance comes from remains of Paleolithic human culture. The extinct cave bear, present from 400,000 until 10,000 years ago, once lived in it.

Source: Wikipedia, "Cave of Pëllumbas"

Highlights

• A 360-metre limestone cave - unlit chambers with formations.
• Cave bear and Palaeolithic evidence - the excavated occupation layers.
• The Erzen gorge walk - a path along the cliff to the cave mouth.
• A via ferrata on the gorge wall - the route installed on the rock face.

When to go

April to October; the path is slippery and the gorge dangerous in wet weather. Half a day from Tirana. Bring a torch, since there is no lighting. Weekends bring Tirana walkers.

Good to know

There is no lighting and no handrail inside; a torch is essential and the floor is uneven and wet. The approach path has exposed sections. There are no facilities at the cave. Litter in the entrance chamber is a problem.

Nearby

Tirana is north-west; the Erzen gorge runs below the path.

Key facts