A village once named after its caves, and a gorge that ends in a waterfall.
Velçë is a village in the hills of the Shushica valley, once called Velçë-Shpella, “Velçë of the Caves”. More than 60 natural caves were recorded around it, and a marked trail of just over half an hour leads up through a gorge to the Rasali Waterfall. It is about 36 km from Vlorë.
A village named after its caves
Velçë used to be called Velçë-Shpella, “Velçë of the Caves”, and the hills around it are riddled with them. Before the Second World War the Italian prehistorian Luigi Cardini recorded more than 60 natural caves in the area and studied ten here, finding tools of stone and bone; Italian research suggests one was lived in around 1000 BC. The caves were declared a cultural monument in 1948.
The best known is Kala Cave, Shpella e Kalasë, at the top of the village and one of the largest in the area. Step inside on a summer day and the change is instant: the heat of more than 36°C outside gives way to cool, damp air and total darkness. Local people believe Kala connects to the nearby Maçi Cave, though no one has ever found the passage. Going deeper means going with a guide and proper caving gear.
Then follow the water. From the village, a marked trail of just over half an hour climbs a hillside and slips into a gorge, and at its end, the Rasali Waterfall, Ujëvara e Rasalit, comes down through the rock. After the darkness of the cave, the sound and the light of the water feel like a reward.
The last 6 km to Velçë are on a gravel road with potholes, passable by ordinary cars. Go slowly and make a day of it.
What you’ll see
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Kala Cave
Shpella e Kalasë, at the top of the village and one of the largest caves in the area.
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Cool air and darkness
On a summer day, the heat of more than 36°C outside gives way to cool, damp air and total darkness.
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The trail to the gorge
A marked trail of just over half an hour climbs a hillside and slips into a gorge.
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Rasali Waterfall
Ujëvara e Rasalit comes down through the rock. After the dark of the cave, the sound and the light of the water feel like a reward.
Velçë in numbers
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60 caves
More than 60 natural caves recorded in the area before the Second World War
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1000 BC
Around this time, Italian research suggests, one of the caves was lived in
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36 °C
More than this outside on a summer day, before the cool, damp air of Kala Cave
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6 kilometres
Of gravel road with potholes to reach Velçë, passable by ordinary cars
Where it is
In the hills of the Shushica valley, about 36 km from Vlorë, with the last 6 km on a gravel road.
What to bring
- Headtorch: Kala Cave is in total darkness
- Light jacket: cool, damp air inside after 36°C outside
- Hiking shoes: the gorge trail takes over half an hour
- Water: for a hot summer day
- Camera: the waterfall at the end of the gorge
- Cash in lek: guided caving costs extra
- Snack: a full day, with 6 km of gravel road
Is it worth it?
Yes, if…
you want a full day outdoors: a cave to step into, a marked trail of just over half an hour and a waterfall at the end.
Maybe not, if…
you want a short or easy outing: the last 6 km are on a gravel road with potholes, and going deeper into the caves means a guide and proper caving gear.
Go slowly on the gravel road and make a day of it. Guided caving costs extra.
Combine it with
Continue exploring
More places and ideas for your days around Vlorë:
- All attractions around Vlorë
- Kurvelesh in a day: Nivica Canyon, Peshtura Falls and the springs of Kuç
- Vlorë in autumn: a 3-day itinerary from Orikum to Labëria
- Archaeological sites in Vlorë: Amantia, Orikum, Kanina and ancient Aulona
- Where to stay in Vlorë: our complete guide
