Lunxhëri is a massif located in Gjirokastër municipality, in southern Albania. It forms part of the Shëndelli–Lunxhëri–Bureto mountain range, extending approximately 25 km (16 mi) from Gryka e Këlcyrës to Gryka e Selckës, in a general northwest-southeast orientation. Its highest peak, Maja e Spilesë (Lalucit), reaches a height of 2,155 m (7,070 ft).[2]
| Lunxhëri | |
|---|---|
| Mali i Lunxhërisë | |
 Mount Lunxhëri seen from Fusha e Çajupit | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,155 m (7,070 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,308 m (4,291 ft)[1] |
| Isolation | 10.3 km (6.4 mi) |
| Listing | Ribu |
| Coordinates | 40°20′17″N 20°03′32″E / 40.338178°N 20.058937°E |
| Geography | |
  Lunxhëri | |
Country |  Albania |
Region | Southern Mountain Region |
Municipality | Gjirokastër |
| Geology | |
| massif | |
| Rock type(s) | limestone, flysch |
Geology
editThe mountain is composed primarily of limestone with some flysch, creating an anticlinal structure shaped by tectonic forces. The ridge dividing the watershed is flat but exhibits karst phenomena. The western slope, which descends towards the Drino valley, is gentler and wider, featuring numerous karst springs, particularly near tectonic fractures. Several streams with significant erosive power flow down this slope, including the Nivica river as well as the streams of Dhoksat, Qestorat, Tranoshishtë and Karai. The eastern slope is steeper, with less surface water flow and evidence of Quaternary glacial activity.[3]
Biodiversity
editForests are scarce, with maple, ash, sturgeon, hornbeam and spruce being the primary tree species. The area also encompasses summer pastures and medicinal plants.
Along the western slope, numerous settlements can be found, inhabiting heights of up to 900 m (3,000 ft).
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Quinn, Daniel. "List of prominent peaks in the Balkans". World Ribus. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ Kabo, Mevlan (1991). Gjeografia Fizike e Shqipërisë (1.2 ed.). Tiranë: Qendra e Studimeve Gjeografike. pp. 350–352.
- ↑ Krutaj, Farudin (1985). Fjalori Enciklopedik Shqiptar. Tiranë: Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH. p. 663.