Koritnik | |
Elevation M: | 2396 |
Elevation Ref: | [1] |
Map: | Albania#Kosovo |
Map Size: | 250 |
Listing: | Ultra |
Location: | Kukës, Albania Prizren, Kosovo |
Range: | Korab Mountains[2] |
Label Position: | right |
Coordinates: | 42.0833°N 20.5667°W |
Age: | Triassic[3] |
Type: | Limestone |
Koritnik is a wooded, limestone mountain, located in northeastern Albania and southwest Kosovo between the cities of Kukës and Prizren.[4] The mountain is entirely surrounded by branches of the White Drin river. The highest point of Koritnik massif, Maja e Pikëllimës reaches an elevation of above the Adriatic. Gryka e Vanavës (English: Vanave Gorge) separates the mountain from Gjallica. The gorge is 3.5km (02.2miles) long, 30m (100feet) wide, and about 300m (1,000feet) deep.[5]
The massif falls within the Balkan mixed forests terrestrial ecoregion of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome. The slopes of the mountain meadows are mostly covered with coniferous forests. The high pastures of the Koritnik mountain help sustain a population of around 60 chamois.
Koritnik is also part of the Korab-Koritnik Nature Park, forming the European Green Belt. It has been recognized as an Important Plant Area of international importance by Plantlife.[6]