Lake Bovilla is one of the most breathtaking reservoirs I’ve ever seen! Located just outside the capital of Albania, Tirana, it’s a place not to be missed on your visit!
Lake Bovilla is located in Mount Dajt National Park. It provides drinking water to the whole of Tirana.
The road to Lake Bovilla is not great! A good section of it, is unpaved. You can drive it yourself. However, I recommend booking yourself on a tour. Booking yourself with somebody who has a 4 by 4, and has experience driving on that road. Also be aware, a lot of car rental companies will not cover you in their insurance policy, to drive on dirt tracks.
We booked our tour with: https://www.albaniaescapes.com/
The guy who runs the tour was absolutely brilliant! Not only was he full of local knowledge, he took us to multiple hidden gems along the way, and became our personal photographer! I couldn’t recommend this tour enough!
Here are some of the hidden gems he took us to, on the way to Lake Bovilla:
If You Choose To Drive Yourself
If you do choose to drive yourself, here is everything you need to know:
The drive from the centre of Tirana to Lake Bovilla will take around an hour. The first section is on a paved road, the second section is on an unpaved road.
As you reach the reservoir, you have a choice where to park. You can part at the reservoir and walk up to Bovilla Restorant, where the start of the Mount Gamti hike starts. Or you can drive up the fairly steep, dirt track to the restaurant, and park at the start of the Mount Gamti trailhead. Just be aware, both car parks are fairly small. During peak season, I can imagine they get full up pretty quickly!
Feeling Peckish?
At the start of the Mount Gamti trailhead, there is a restaurant called Bovilla Restorant. A perfect place to fuel yourself up ready for the hike!
The Hike Up Mount Gamti
The hike up Mount Gamti is only a short hike. However, a good head for heights is needed as you will be climbing up metal stairs, on the edge of the mountain rock face.
At the time we visited, it cost €1 to hike up Mount Gamti. So make sure you’ve got some change on you!
The walk up Mount Gamti will take around 30 minutes. As you reach the top, you will be greeted with some of the most breathtaking views over Lake Bovilla!
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Further Reading
A guide to Grunas Falls: Hiking Guide To Grunas Falls
A guide to Theth National Park: A Guide To Theth National Park
