Lake Bovilla, wonderful outdoor day trip
Lake Bovilla, also known as Bovilla Reservoir, is a hidden gem in Albania. It provides most of the drinking water for the capital, Tirana. Located just 15 km from the city, it is easily accessible. You can visit the lake for a picnic or enjoy a hike to the Gamti mountain, where the view of Bovilla Lake is breathtaking. Here is some useful information to plan your visit.
How to get to Lake Bovilla
The best way to reach the lake is through the municipality of Kamëz (Bathore), then by passing through a village called Zall-Herr (a military base is located there). There is a traffic sign where you need to turn right. From that sign, the road is unpaved. You just need to follow this road through Herraj village, and you will arrive at Lake Bovilla. If you want to use Google Maps, search for Bovilla Climbing Area instead of Bovilla Lake or Bovilla Reservoir.
Where to eat
There are no supermarkets near Bovilla. The last minimarket is in Herraj village, but it’s recommended to buy your supplies in the supermarkets in Bathore, Kamëz. Lately, I think that there is a new restaurant opened near Bovilla, but haven’t tried it yet. During the summer, there is a small bar next to the lake where you can enjoy a drink, some grilled food, and maybe go for a swim, as well.
About the hike to Gamti mountain
The hike to Gamti mountain is moderate, and now you have a lot of safe stairs. There is no water source on the mountain, so make sure you have at least 1.5 liters of water with you. The hike takes about 2 hours. When you reach the peak, the view of the watercolor of Bovilla is breathtaking. You can download and follow the wikiloc trail of Bovilla Lake to Gamti Mountain and back.
You can buy me a beer to support me and my content! 🍺
I’ve attached the wikiloc trail of Bovilla lake to Gamti mountain and back. You can download and follow it:
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Hey, great pictures! One question: you say it takes two hours. Is that to the peak or round trip back to the start?
Hey, thanks!
It takes around 2 hours roundtrip. It is not very far.
That is good news, we are arriving tomorrow afternoon in Tirana and I was wondering to do a sunset hike, which should be possible with that timing :)
BTW: great article also concerning the beaches in the south. I hope we manage to find them ;)
Thanks for the information, looks good.
Just wondering if you know anything about the road coming in from the north? It looks like a dirt track and was wondering if it is passable in a car or if I’d need a 4×4?
Thanks
Matt
Hey Matt,
It is impossible going there in a normal car. You may need a 4×4 car!
Hi,
Hoping to do this in the summer, looks amazing! Is the track well signposted please? Also, you mention a small bar next to the lake – is this at the start of the track?
Thanks
Yes, it is quite close to the start of the trail, down near the river.
Is it possible to make the drive on the road from the south from Tirana in a non 4×4 vehicle? Thanks!
Yes, it is possible!
Hello! Thank you for the post, it’s really hepful. Is it possible to go there without a 4×4 vehicle? We have a Transporter 4. :)
Yes, it is possible!
I was wondering if the hike was well-marked or do you recommend downloading a map? We plan on doing it ourselves and was not sure. Thank you.
Hi Ryan, I think that now it is quite well marked. Just go for it :D
Hey is it possible to take public transport from Tirana to the hike starting point?
Hi Albert, no there is no public transport that sends you to the starting point. However, you can take a taxi and go there, it is quite close to Tirana.
Hi,
thanks for this post and these pictures. As there is no public transport and you will need a taxi instead – how to return to Tirana? I guess there aren’t any taxis on site. So you will have to call a taxi company in the city or arrange a taxi beforehand to pick you up at a certain time? Sorry, I am quite inexperienced when it comes to taxis, even more abroad. :-)
Actually, what I would do, is ask the taxi driver to come back at a certain time to pick you up.
Hi Granit! Where is the best place to park a car there?
Hi, there is a place where you can park your car. At the beginning of the trails, right.
Hello Granit, according to the gps track, it seems that we could also start from the restaurant? We are going with kids, so we would like to shorten the hike. Thank you
Yes, correct. Now there is a restaurant that will shorten the hike.
Hi Granit, I want to do this hike with a friend next week. Is the start of the trail reachable with a normal car? If so, where should we park it?
Yes, it is reachable by small car too. At the beginning of the trail, you will see a place to park.
Hi Granit! I like hiking and it seems there are some viewpoints on the way to bovilla lake. Is it crazy to go walking from Tirana? Google maps says it is about four hours, so i think i can make it if i wake up early.
Hi Matias, yes, the distance is around 20 km (one way). I wouldn’t suggest it, since it may be boring and a lot of cars in the road.
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Hi Granit, you say that you sometimes need your hands to climb. That makes me wonder how hard/dangerous it is to do it. Can you tell a little bit more about that part? Thanks!!
Hey Amber, it is not the case anymore. Now, you have a great trail (fixed ropes), and not dangerous at all!
Hi Granit, it is possible to go there by scooter or would you recommend to go by car? And if it’s only possible by car, how is the road? We only have a small car without 4*4. Thank you
You can bo by scooter without a problem at all.
Hi Granit, it is possible to go there by scooter or would you recommend to go by car? And if it’s only possible by car, how is the road? We only have a small car without 4*4. Thank you
Hi Granit,
is it possible to go there with public transportation? Or O have to book a trip,?
Thanks, Lia
Hi Lia, no it is not possible with public transport.
Hi Granit, would you recommend driving to the lake with a small rental car? I’ve read on some other sites that there are a lot of potholes and rocks on the road, and that driving is thus not recommended, also because of large trucks needing to pass. I don’t have any offroading experience, so I’m debating between driving and taking a taxi…
Hi Charlotte,
It is possible to go with a small car, however, since you don’t have an offroad experience, just take a taxi :)
I believe it will not cost a lot since it is very close to Tirana.
Hi, we’re just wondering if the hike could be done with a 1 year old? He would be strapped to our back so we couldn’t really do any scrambling
Yes you can. Now it is way much secured.