Albania is a country rich with national parks, be it in
North or South. Nature enthusiasts will always find something to explore in Albania. Culture
Trip is known for its recommendations and articles about travel destination
around the globe has published a guide on ‘How to Spend a Weekend in Albania’s
Beautiful Llogora National Park’. Feride Yalav-Heckeroth, the author of this
article gives and impressive scenery about the National Park of Llogara.
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| Llogora | © Feride Yalav-Heckeroth |
Llogara is not only a place to find solitude in nature but
also to get active. With its forests, wild animals, and breathtaking peaks, a
weekend in Llogora National Park is a perfect getaway from routine.
After the deeply winding roads that lead away from Albania’s
seaside and up into the mountains (make sure to stop to take some photos of the
incredible view), the Llogora National Park spreads out with its dense forests
and beautiful rocky peaks. The national park was established in 1966 so that
the thriving ecosystems and biodiversity present in the area would be
protected. As such, the park is rife with natural life, from the coniferous
forests (including many species such as silver fir, kermes oak, and black pine)
to species such as griffon vultures, golden eagles, rock partridges, European
wildcats, red foxes, chamois, wolves, otters, and red squirrels.
One of the best places to stay (especially for families) is
the Llogora Tourist Village, an alpine lodge-style hotel with an additional
array of private small wooden houses that are spread out in its garden. The
hotel, which overlooks the mountains, also has a little sanctuary for a group
of fallow deer, and some of the rooms look out over the animals, including two
bucks with quite large antlers. The hotel also has a great restaurant that
serves classic Albanian and Italian cuisine and has views of the large indoor
pool. Of course, there’s much more to do in Llogora than lounging in your hotel
and enjoying the fresh mountain air and view.
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| Llogora | © Feride Yalav-Heckeroth |
For those looking to get active, the park has plenty of
hiking routes that lead all the way up to the top for even more impressive and
panoramic views. One of the most popular treks is the approximately 30-minute
climb to the phone masts on the clifftop to the west. The views from here are
stunning, but you’ll often come across mist because of the proximity of the
sea; however, even the incessant waves of fine clouds racing over the landscape
are beautiful in its own right. Another hike includes the path to Qafa e Thelle
(the Deep Pass).
A more challenging hike is the ascent to the top of Mount
Çika (at an altitude of 2,045 meters of 6,709 feet); it rewards hikers with
another set of amazing vistas from a bird’s-eye view. If you’re unsure of
hiking by yourself and would rather someone show you the way, a hiking guide
can always be arranged by talking to the reception at your hotel. South of the
park is also a paragliding site, which holds the FAI World Paragliding Accuracy
Championship annually, and tandem flights with licensed experts are also
available.
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