The adjective, i Deçanit, differentiates it from the other Lumbardh tributaries of the White Drin (Albanian: Drinit të Bardhë) in the Dukagjini area.

The river flows north of the Gjeravica peak, the highest in Kosovo (2,656 m), initially under the name of Lumi Shqiptar,[3] and receives many streams from the Bogiçevica, Micinat, Strečoka and Kopranik mountains.

The river turns southeast on the northern slopes of the Kopranik and Strečoka mountains, where it carved the deep gorge of Deçan (Gryka e Deçanit).

The upper part of the gorge is the glacial trough of the ancient Deçan glacier on the Bjeshkët e Nemuna, or Accursed Mountains.

The river continues eastward, in the very densely populated area next to the small town of Deçan and the villages of Isniq, Beleg, Jabllanicë, Këpuz, Kotradiq, Kralan, Lluka e Epërme, Lumbardh, Nepolë, Papiq and Vranoc, before it empties into the White Drin.