Our Territory

Shija e Veriut promotes traditional products from the three northern Albanian municipalities of Fushë Arrëz, Pukë, and Vau Dejës. In this region rocky peaks, forests, meadows, lakes, and rivers surround towns and villages scattered between the  lowlands of Vau Dejës and the shores of the Fierza and Komani lakes at the northern end of Fushë Arrëz.

Bushat and Laç are the most populated centres of Vau Dejës, with the latter neatly situated at the confluence of the Drini and Gjadër rivers. This municipality includes a good part of the Zadrima region and offers plenty of quality products thanks to a long tradition of agriculture, breeding, and handicraft. From Vau Dejës the traveller is presented with the option to head towards the Lakes Vau Dejës and Komani. A bumpy road runs along the shores of Vau Dejës lake and in front of the Cukali massif for about 30 km up to the village of Koman. Here, the much-appreciated trips on the Komani Lake have their starting point, bringing tourists and locals to Fierza or Lumi i Shales through breath-taking canyons and several small oases of relax and natural beauty.

Moving westwards of Vau Dejës, along the SH5, a steep climb marks the beginning of the mountain road that leads to Pukë, passing through oak and pine forests. A small town in the Albanian Alps, Pukë is located at around 830 m above the sea level on a plateau surrounded by the Tërbuni and Krrab mountains, south of the Drini River and Komani Lake. The alpine character of the area is evident both in the look of the town and in the tastes of local delicacies, especially based on goat cheese and meat, berries, and mushrooms. A stroll along the recently renewed city centre is a must for all visitors, while Migjeni Museum testifies for the unexpectedly rich cultural heritage of this small centre. Indeed, the town has historically enjoyed a strategic position along the route connecting Shkodër with Kukës and Kosovo. Noteworthy are also the Munella massif, home to autochthonous wildlife and vegetation, Tërbuni and Krrab mountains, Pukë – Qelëz – Komani Lake route descending the river Gomina valley, the meadows and caves in Ukth and Murga, as well as the valley leading to Gjegjan village.

Some 20 km northwest of Pukë, the town of Fushë Arrëz sits on the Fan river valley. Famous for its mining and water resources, as well as for its long history of timber processing, the municipality is characterized by vast mountain ranges, covered with forests and meadows. The old village of Mërtur, located under a majestic rocky peak looking onto the Komani Lake, the Iballë plateau, the Qafë Bari site, home of one of the harshest prison camps of Enver Hoxha’s regime, as well as the panoramic road that runs along Fierza Lake’s coast, are the most recommended sights of this vast, yet sparsely populated municipality.

Vau Dejës is composed of five administrative units: Bushat, Hajmel, Shllak, Temal, Vau Dejës and Vig-Mnelë. According to the last official census in 2011, the total population is 30.438, in a total area of around 499 km². Pukë municipality includes the administrative units of Pukë, Gjegjan, Rrapë, Qelëz and Qerret, and extends for 506 km², numbering a total of 11.069 inhabitants. Lastly, Fushë Arrëz features the administrative units of Fushë Arrëz, Fierzë, Iballë, Blerim, and Qafë Mali, with a total of 7.405 inhabitants on a surface of 541 km².