| Lura National Park | |
|---|---|
Liqeni i Lulëve, one of Lura Mountains glacial lakes |
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| Location | Albania |
| Nearest city | Peshkopi |
| Area | 1,280 ha |
| Established | 1966 |
Lura Mountain (Albanian: Mali i Lurës) is a mountain located in the north-eastern part of Albania. The highest peak of Lura Mountain is Kunora e Lurës which reaches a height of 2,119 m (6,952 ft) above sea level.[1] Lura Mountain has many forests. The most common type of tree is the Beech which is found on altitudes between 900 and 1,000 m (2,953 and 3,281 ft) to 1,900 and 2,000 m (6,234 and 6,562 ft). On altitudes between 1,600 and 1,700 m (5,249 and 5,577 ft) Black Pine are abundant and on altitudes between 1,700 and 2,000 m (5,577 and 6,562 ft) separate Red Pine and White Pine are found on rocky slopes. These forests are home to the rare European Brown Bear, Eurasian Lynx, Eurasian wolf, European Pine Marten, Roe Deer and Capercaillie.
What really attracts visitors to Lura Mountain is not its forests and animals but its many lakes. Lura Mountain contains twelve glacial lakes which were formed during the Würm glacial period. These 12 lakes are home to the Smooth Newt and the Great Crested Newt. These lakes are found between 1,200 and 1,500 m (3,937 and 4,921 ft).
The four principal lakes are:
Lura National Park (Parku Kombëtar i Lurës in Albanian) is situated on the eastern slopes of Lura Mountain. It was established in the year 1966 by a decision of the Council of Ministers of Albania. The national park covers an area of around 1280h. The town of Peshkopi is about 25 kilometres east of the National Park while villages such as Fushë-Lurë and Sina e Epërme are even closer to the National Park. The National Park is home to many rare animals such as those mentioned above. But once again the real attractions are its 12 lakes which attract many visitors year round. With a surface of 1.280 hectares it is situated in the eastern side of the mountain massive of "Kunora e Lures". Its 12 icy lakes offer picturesque and attractive environments at an altitude of 1.350-1.720 m. Among the many lakes the one that stand out are the Big Lake 32 hectares, Lake of Pines 13 hectares, Black Lake 8 hectares and Lake of Flowers 4 hectares.
In the southern part of the park there is a meadow called "Field of Mares" which offers a relaxing view, since its vegetation is miscellaneous with multi-color flowers and full of coniferous trees. This park offers various possibilities for developing eco-tourism, winter sports, equitation, horse riding etc. The glacial complex of Lura lakes are one of the most beautiful pearls of Albanian nature. The glacial lakes of Lura have a general surface of 100 ha. They are located in the northeastern part of the country in the district of Dibra. In winter these lakes freeze , taking the view of natural skiing lanes. The lake of Flowers is really astonishing with the big white water lilies in summer, leaving the impression of a big garden created by the hand of a mastermind.[2] However, after the fall of Communism, the area suffered from massive deforestation from illegal logging that has severely affected ecosystems around the many glacial lakes.
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