Lake Bovilla – Outdoor Adventure near Tirana

Tirana › Lake Bovilla – Outdoor Adventure near Tirana

Lake Bovilla is located about 16 kilometres northeast of Tirana, in the mountains of Mount Dajti National Park, and is a popular destination for a tour or day trips.

Lake Bovilla (Albanian: Liqeni i Bovillës) is an artificial lake in Albania. The lake is actually a reservoir that provides most of the drinking water for the Albanian capital, Tirana. It is also called the Bovilla Reservoir.

The area is a real hidden gem in a lesser-known part of the outskirts of Tirana that is well worth exploring. The lake is an increasingly popular destination for visitors to Albania, but there is relatively little information about it, we would like to introduce you to this fascinating place. In this article, you can get to know Lake Bovilla better.

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Lake Bovilla – outdoor adventure near Tirana

Where is Lake Bovilla in Albania?

Lake Bovilla is located about 16 kilometres northeast of Tirana, in the mountains of Dajti National Park. It is 5 square kilometres in size and varies greatly in depth, generally between 18 and 45 metres.

• Distance from Tirana: approx. 1-1.5 hours by car
• Address: Kompleksi Belba, Rr. Demokracia Kodër-Kamëz, Tiranë, Albania Kamez AL, 1056, Albania
• Viewpoint: There is a fantastic viewpoint – Ballkoni Bovillë is the name. Steep metal stairs lead to this point and some instagram-friendly photos are guaranteed.

Map of Lake Bovilla

On Google Maps, I marked a few important places that you should visit or take a break when going to Lake Bovilla. Hiking trails, restaurants, campsites, photo spots, viewpoints of the dam and canyons are also marked.

Since it is quite a remote location, getting to lake Bovilla takes an average of 1 hour. So, getting to the lake is not easy. That’s why I am giving you a detailed description so you can prepare for the journey.

Is there public transport from Tirana to Lake Bovilla?

There is no public transport. However, there are guided tours available, or you can take a taxi to get there. A taxi costs about 25 EUR one way, so a rental car for 1-2 days is certainly the better option and offers you more independence.

How do I prepare for the trip to Lake Bovilla?

First of all, you should consider whether you really want to drive. With your own car or a rental car, you will undoubtedly be most flexible and best able to get to Lake Bovilla on your own. However, the road isa narrow, dusty gravel road.

In addition, there are some sections that are used by trucks because there is a gravel pit next to the road. You often have to drive to the side of the road because of oncoming traffic, so you always have to concentrate. I recommend driving yourself only to those who are travelling in a somewhat offoad capable four-wheel drive vehicle. I recommend an SUV, which has more ground clearance.

If you don’t want to drive to Lake Bovilla, there are guided tours where locals will take you to the lake and show you the highlights of the area.

Take some food and water with you when you travel to the lake to be prepared for the long journey. Reaching the upper part, you will however also find a restaurant there with great views of the reservoir. Against all odds, I found the food at the restaurant to be of good qaility and reasonably priced.

Travel with a guided tour

Since the lake is quite remote, there is no public transport, and you can only get there with guided tours, without driving yourself. Guided hiking tours usually start in Tirana in the morning. You can find some of them by clicking on this link.

Route to Lake Bovilla

I will now show you in detail which road leads from Tirana to Lake Bovilla. There is a GPS signal along the way and, in most cases, mobile internet as well, so you can follow the route on the map while you are on the road. The first road you take from Tirana is the SH53 towards Zall-Herr. It is paved for a while and then turns into a dirt road as soon as you leave the most densely populated area.

After Tirana, there is a long stretch of dirt road where the speed slows down, there are many potholes and you have to watch out for oncoming traffic and sometimes move to the hard shoulder. This road is called Hida Road, which leads to the lake.

In the meantime, you will enter the mountains and the landscape will become more and more beautiful: mountains all around and then you will reach the Bovilla Canyon, through which the road passes. When you reach the Bovilla Canyon, you have to cross a bridge, and if you are driving, you have to be careful because the bottom of the car can hit it.

On the way, it is worth stopping at the small bridge crossing Bovilla Canyon, where you can get a close-up view of the green river and the unique rock formations. The last stretch to the lake is again an asphalt road, but winding, so be careful. After an easy serpentine ascent, you will reach the dam of Lake Bovilla, where you can already enjoy a first view of the lake.

Next to the dam, you will find a private car park where you can leave your car if you don’t want to continue. However, the best view and restaurant are further up, so you either park your car by the lake and hike up, or continue by car. The section to come, is the most challenging one.

The elevation gain on this last, uphill section is about 200 metres in just 1 kilometres. If you walk, expect a steep hill and a lot of dust from cars. If you drive, you need a suitable car and special attention here. Along the way, the view of the lake from the mountainside becomes more and more breathtaking the further you get to the top. At the end of the road, you will reach the Bovilla restaurant and a small parking lot.

From here, continue on foot. For this last section, it is highly recommended that you wear hiking boots, as there are rocky sections and steps.

The Hike to Mount Gamti

The hike up to Mount Gamti is only a short hike, taking about 30 minutes. You will be climbing up a strech of metal stairs, on the edge of the mountain rock face to reach the top of the rock.

At the time I visited, it cost €1 to hike up Mount Gamti. So make sure you’ve got some change on you. As you reach the top, you will be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views over Lake Bovilla!

How long does it take to visit Lake Bovilla?

To visit Lake Bovilla, you need about half a day, so on average 4-8 hours, depending on how much time you spend there. As I wrote earlier, the journey from Tirana takes about an hour there and an hour back. If you only spend two hours there, 4 hours is enough. If you want to spend more time at the lake, to relax and enjoy nature, you should plan a whole day.

Best time to visit Lake Bovilla

The weather is ideal for visiting Bovilla Lake anytime when it is not raining. You should avoid the winter months due to the colder weather and heavier precipitation. But from spring to autumn, Bovilla Lake is always worth a visit. As for the time of day, I recommend visiting around noon, as the light at noon is best for photography. In the late afternoon, the mountains ensure that the landscape is quickly in shadow.

Activities

Since Lake Bovilla is a reservoir, there are only limited options around the lake. For example, there are no boat trips or water sports. Nevertheless, there are excellent ways to spend your time, which I will show you.

Hike to Gamti Mountain

I mentioned earlier that you get the best view of Lake Bovilla from Gamti Mountain, so if you are visiting the lake, be sure to check the top of Gamti Mountain to experience the best views of the surrounding landscape. From the parking lot it’s only a 20 minute hike. But it’s definitely steep and a little treacherous with loose rocks, so take care.

To get there, you will need to take the small path up the mountainside starting next to the Bovilla Restaurant. On the way up, you will come across some rocky sections and metal stairs set into the mountain. The hike is therefore a little strenuous, but it is definitely worth it for the view that awaits you once you reach the top!

Camping with the most beautiful views

On the last serpentine road to the restaurant, there are several areas next to the lake where you can camp. These areas offer fantastic views of the lake and are therefore worth a rest. Since wild camping is not prohibited in Albania, you are welcome to spend a few hours or the night there if you feel like it.

FAQ

Can you swim in Lake Bovilla?

No, swimming is prohibited in Lake Bovilla. If you are looking for places to swim in Albania, the Albanian Riviera is a much better choice. The closest beaches are to be found in Durres.

Where can you stay near Lake Bovilla?

There are three main options that we suggest. You can camp near Lake Bovilla with a view of the lake: This option is particularly recommended for those arriving by camper van. You can book a holiday home called Bovilla Village House, which also offers a view of the lake and is very affordable. You can stay in a hotel in Tirana: The advantage is the wide selection.

If you decide to stay in Tirana, I recommend the following hotels:

• mk hotel tirana: a four-star hotel at a great price. It is located near Tirana Airport. It’s not exactly luxurious, but few of the rooms I have stayed in have been as clean and comfortable as this one.
• Rogner Hotel Tirana: a 5-star hotel located in the city centre and closer to the attractions of Tirana. It can be booked at a slightly higher price, but it is still affordable.
• The Wilson Tirana: offers great value with its bright, stylish rooms. It consistently receives high ratings for its comfortable accommodations, ideal location, and excellent hospitality.