In the western part of the Dibra district, bordering the Mirdita region, we find the Lura-Deja mountan chain. The Lura Mountain reaches 2121 m.a.s.l. and due to the landscape characteristics it is known as "Kunora e Lures" (Lura Wreath). On the eastern slope of Kunora e Lures we find the Lura National Park, established by a decision of the Council of Ministers of Albania in 1966. The park has a surface of 1300 Ha and average altitude of about 1350 m.a.s.l. From the Krej-Lura village in the north up to the Pela peak in the south there is a coniferous forest consisting mainly of pine. This forest covers a wide belt at the altitude intervals of 1200-1800 m.a.s.l. to the west of the Fushe Lura, Borie Lura and Gurra Lura villages.

In this belt of beautiful pine trees we can find many glacial lakes. In the Lura mountainous region many traces of glacial activity of the Wurm glacial period are preserved. 12 glacial lakes, several moraines and complex cirques, erosion ridges, passes, gorges and river canyons are registered here. The Lura landscape fashioned by geology of special scientific importance, especially by stratified ultrabasic rocks, amphibolites and regional faults as well as the glacial features listed above, is one of the most interesting geoparks of virgin ecosystem, offering a unique diversity of natural attraction.

The Lura Ecosystem
The Lura Ecosystem consists of the Lura mountain forest which is famous all over Albania. The most widespread trees in this forest is beech (Fagus silvatica), which begins from 900-1000 m above the sea level up to the most upper level of the forest (1900-2000 m). At the altitudes of Nezhda e Lures (1600-1700 m) black Pine (Pinus nigra) are predominant, while at the most upper levels (1700-2000 m) separate trees of Red Pine (Pinus heldreichii, P. Leucodermis) and White Pine (Pinus peuce Griseb) are found even on rocky slopes.

The beech and white fir (Albis alba Mill) are predominant on the eastern slopes, while black pine is predominant on the western slopes of Kunora e Lures-Deja chain. Some beech trees of secular age are of very thick pillar. At altitudes of 1900-2100 m alpine pastures are found and in the glacial lakes higrofile plants such as Water-lily (Nymphanea alba L.) grow with big, white flowers, which during summer time covers almost all the lake surface.

"Black Glacial Lake". (Photo: Denis Mani).

In the Lura forest up to the very resent years there are registered a wide variety of wild animals and birds such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos), (Lynx lynx), (Martes martes L.), roebuck (Capreolus capreolus L.) and heath cock (Tetrao urogallas L.). In the lakes amphibians (Triturus vulgaris and T. cristatus) are found.

The Lura National Park is characterized by mountainous alpine climate with cool summers and cold winters. Average temperature is 7,7°C. Total amount of precipitation is 1482 mm/year. Thickness of snow in winter is normally 1-1,5 m., rarely up to 2 m. at the highest levels of Kunora e Lures.

Geological framework of the Lura geosystem
The Lura forest and nice glacial remains lies in the Lura ultrabasic massif (Mirdita tectonic zone), constituted by harzburgite and dunite-harzburgite rocks. They are clearly stratified as result of primary crystallization of ultrabasic fusion, dipping to the east with high angles (from 40° up to 70°). Some chromite ore bodies are found as well. At the bottom of the ultrabasic rocks to the west of the Gurra Lura village amphibolites crop out as sequences of the bottom of ophiolites, representing rare phenomenon similar to the Omann outcrops. The Lura ultrabasic massif to the east contacts with limestones of the Korabi tectonic zone through a regional fault. The limestones are of a Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic age, and contain megalodonts, stromatolites, thin radiolarite siliceous beds. To the west flank the Lura ultrabasic massif is covered by neritic limestones of the Lower Cretaceous, which are considered as the "roof" of the Albanian ophiolites. In the carbonate formations and in the ultrabasic rocks, there are formed some canyons, erosion pyramids, and passes such as: Seta canyon, Kreja tower (2078 m), Kunora e Lures pyramid (2121 m), Maja e Runjes (1991 m), Kreshta e Bakullise (1766 m) and the Maja e Madhe (1787 m) ridges and one tectonic cliff (200-300 m high) at the altitude of 1600-1800 m.

Travelling
From Tirana to the Lura National Park, the road crosses molasses of the Pre-Adriatic Depression, up to the town Miloti, leaving on the eastern side the ancient historic town Kruja. In Miloti, the long metallic " King Zogu" bridge crossing the Mati river with nice fluvial landscape, are famous. The road follows the Fani river crossing the Krasta flysch and thin bedded plate limestones near to the town of Rubiku. Here on the eastern side there copper plants, while on the right side the small town of Rubiku with a catholic church, are situated in the beautiful landscape on the top of a rocky hill. This church has been the center of Benediction meetings since ancient times. Here we also find outcrops of basalt pillow lavas. Near to Rresheni town, the road enter the Burreli depression with molasses, and further it cross the Mirdita volcanic basic ophiolite sequences up to the town of Kurbneshi, built between carbonate rocks forming the long, narrow Uraka valley. Along this part of the road to the northeast up to Merkurthi and Fushe Lura villages some erosion pyramids can be seen on the eastern ridge and to the west nice waterfalls.

Trips through Lura Geopark:

• From the Fushe Lura village to the Farka Plain, then to the northern group of glacial lakes (Cow lake, Tusha lake, Big lake, Rasat lake) and back to Fushe Lura village.
• From the Fushe Lura village to the Kunore e Lures ("Lura Wreath") Peak, along the mountain ridge to 2070 m.a.s.l. peak, and further to the south, turning to the east to the Hoti glacial lake, then through the Dushka plain and pine forest back to the Fushe Lura village.
• From the Fushe Lura village to the Gurra Lura village, westward to the southern groups of glacial lakes (Dry lake, Black lake and to Flower lake), to the west of the peak 1606 m.a.s.l. and to the Horse plain and mountain. On the way back you can watch the Seta canyon.

In the Peshkopi District there is the Korabi mountain (highest in Albania), and some other interesting and important geotops such as the Mali Bardhe and Banjat gigantic white salt domes, thermal water springs, the stratigraphic sections of Paleozoic rocks, oldest in Albania, Triassic sections with ammonites, native sulfur in Kerçishta village etc. are found
The Lura National Park are very high ecological value and do also posses significant geological and geomorphologic values as well. It represents an unique geopark of geotouristic, scientific and didactic interest.

Afat Serjani