The most fascinating area of Dajti National Park is the azure-blue Lake Bovilla (Liqeni i Bovillës). It is the ideal location for a day trip from Tirana and a hidden natural gem. The rock lookout and the panoramic restaurant are not to be missed.
The construction of this artificial lake began at the end of communism and was only finished in 1996 with Italian assistance. It would be difficult to locate it in a better place than this: The 91-meter-tall dam is located at the point where the Tërkuza River crosses the nearly perpendicular walls of the Skanderbeg Mountains’ outer ridge. Swimming is not allowed here because it serves as the capital’s drinking water reservoir.
The lake is located about 15 kilometers north of Tirana. The Zall Herr village marks the end of the asphalt road. From there, it’s a roughly seven-kilometer journey to the dam, mostly on a pothole-filled dirt road. Sadly, stone quarrying has severely damaged the river canyon at this section.
With AWD vehicle, you can follow the winding path from the dam to the restaurant (2 km), which looks almost out of place with its modern design and “middle-of-nowhere” location. But just relaxing by the window and taking in the expansive view is a unique experience.
Partly on a metal staircase drilled into the rock, a path leads from the restaurant to a viewpoint with magnificent views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The entrance is 100 leks.
A small car can barely make it from Zall-Herr to the dam. With 4×4, you can continue via Renza village to Qafë Shtamë Nature Park, where you will join the asphalt road from Krujë after roughly 15 kilometers. The contrast between the dynamic metropolis and the wild nature around the dam, which you will experience on the few kilometers of driving, could not be more striking.
Bovilla Lake also offers some of the best climbing terrain in Albania, with routes on both sides of the dam. Click here for a climbing guide.
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Experiences
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