Bovilla Lake

About Bovilla Lake

By the ULTIMATE Tirana Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Bovilla is a 4.6-square-kilometre reservoir about 14 kilometres north-east of Tirana, inside Dajti National Park, and it supplies most of the capital’s drinking water. Its turquoise water between steep mountains has made it one of the most photographed places near the city. Drive or join a tour to the village of Zall-Herr, then hike about forty minutes to the balcony viewpoint above the lake. Swimming is not allowed, as it is a water supply. Bring water and good shoes; the last stretch of road is rough.

The capital’s reservoir

Bovilla is a reservoir of about 4.6 square kilometres, around fourteen kilometres north-east of Tirana and south-east of Krujë, inside Dajti National Park. It provides most of the drinking water for the capital, and its turquoise colour between steep limestone mountains has made it one of the most photographed landscapes near the city.

The walk

The road from Tirana runs to the village of Zall-Herr and on towards the lake, asphalted for most of the way, then rough for the last stretch. From the end of the road, a path climbs for about forty minutes to a natural balcony high above the water, with a view over the lake, the forest and the mountains. Climbers come for the cliffs, and the trails continue towards Mount Gamti.

The water that comes out of Tirana’s taps starts here, in a turquoise lake between limestone walls.

Rules

Because it is a drinking-water reservoir, swimming is not allowed. Bring everything you need, as there are few services, and take your rubbish home.

Our advice: go early on a weekday to have the viewpoint to yourself, wear proper walking shoes, and if you do not have a car, join one of the small-group hikes that leave from Tirana.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Bovilla Lake before you go.