Mirusha Waterfalls

The Mirusha river has cut a canyon through limestone in central Kosovo, and along it lies a chain of thirteen lakes joined by waterfalls, each spilling into the next. The largest and most visited is the sixth, a twenty-metre drop that falls through a rock opening into a deep green pool where people swim in summer. Paths lead along the canyon between the lakes, some easy and some involving scrambling, and the whole park is a regional park that gets busy with Kosovar families at weekends and stays quiet on weekdays.

What you actually see

• The main waterfall - the twenty-metre drop through the rock arch.
• The lake chain - thirteen linked pools along the canyon.
• Canyon walking - paths and scrambles between the levels.
• Summer swimming - the deep pool below the main fall.

When to go

Late spring has the strongest flow after snowmelt; summer is warm enough for swimming and busiest at weekends. The falls shrink noticeably in dry late summers. Autumn brings colour and quiet.

Honest expectations

Paths are informal and slippery near the water, with no railings at the drops. Access to the upper lakes involves genuine scrambling. Weekend crowds bring litter, which is an ongoing problem the park struggles with. Facilities are minimal. Swimming is at your own risk with no supervision and cold water even in August.

Nearby

Peja and the Rugova canyon, Gjakova and the Decani monastery.