Osum Canyon River Tubing Adventure with Canyon Guide

Osum Canyon, the great natural monument of Skrapar

Osum Canyon cuts through the limestone of the Skrapar region in central Albania for about 13 kilometres, with walls that rise up to 100 metres above the Osum River. The rock was shaped over two to three million years, and the result is a corridor of smooth, sculpted stone, small side springs and eight waterfalls that pour in from above. It is protected as a natural monument and is one of the most photographed landscapes in the country.

Many visitors only look down from the viewpoints on the road, but an Osum Canyon tour on the water shows the real scale of the walls. On this trip you see both: the vehicle stops at the viewpoints on the way to the start, then you spend about two hours inside the canyon itself. If you are wondering whether Osum Canyon is worth visiting, the view from the river is the answer.

Çorovodë, the starting point of the canyon

Çorovodë is the small main town of Skrapar and the natural base for any Osum Canyon trip. The meeting point is in the town centre near the mosque, on Rruga Pasho Hysi, where the team hands out the wetsuits, shirts, helmets and life jackets and gives each guest a bottle of water. After the trip you return here to change into dry clothes and enjoy a sandwich.

A common question is how to get to Osum Canyon from Berat: Çorovodë is about an hour by road from Berat, and transport between the two towns is not part of this tour, so most travellers drive or arrange a car. Plan to arrive a little early for the 10:30 morning or 14:00 afternoon start, as the group sets off together once everyone is ready.

The Cathedral of the Canyon

The first stop on the water is the place locals call the Cathedral of the Canyon, a tall, rounded chamber where the walls curve upwards like the inside of a great church. Light falls in from the narrow gap far above, and the sound of the water echoes around the stone, which makes it one of the most striking photo spots on the whole river.

The guide stops the group here for photos before you float on into the deeper part of the canyon. Phones can travel in the waterproof bags the team carries, and the guides also take photos and videos at the best moments, which are shared with you after the tour at no extra cost.

The Waterfall of Love and the Bigasi Waterfall

The Waterfall of Love is the largest waterfall in Osum Canyon and the longest stop of the trip. A ribbon of water drops down the mossy rock into a clear pool, and there is time to swim, sit on the stones and simply enjoy the cool air. The Bigasi Waterfall is another of the falls you pass along the way.

The waterfalls depend on the season. From February to June the river is high and all eight falls run strongly, which is why the tour switches to rafting then. From June to November the water is lower and gentler, ideal for tubing; in August the falls can be almost dry. If you are asking about the best time to visit Osum Canyon for waterfalls, choose spring.

The narrows and the Sugar Waterfall

Going deeper, the canyon closes in until the walls almost seem to touch. This narrowest section is where you pass beneath the Sugar Waterfall, which sprinkles water over your head as you float through. It is the most atmospheric moment of the trip, with sunlight catching the spray and the smooth stone glowing in shades of cream and ochre.

At the end of the tubing route there is a walk of about 15 minutes up a path to the vehicles, which then take you back to Çorovodë. The tubing season is a relaxed float rather than a white-water ride, so it is best for travellers who want scenery and swimming rather than adrenaline.