Bovilla reservoir

About 15 kilometers east of Tirana, in the Skanderbeg Mountains, lies the Bovilla Reservoir. Construction began in 1988 and was completed ten years later. The reservoir primarily serves as a drinking water source for the capital. For this reason, swimming in the lake is prohibited. However, this didn’t prevent the water from developing an unpleasant taste and becoming murky in the early 2000s. The cause was identified as bacterial contamination. The following countermeasures were proposed: reforesting the shoreline to combat erosion, establishing a protected buffer zone, and implementing proper waste and wastewater management in nearby villages. Yet, in typical fashion for Albania's complex and often corrupt power dynamics, none of these measures have been implemented so far.

Despite this, the Bovilla Reservoir is well worth a visit—preferably via a natural track that begins northeast of Tirana. The starting point, Zall-Herr, is accessible via the main roads SH 1 and SH 53. From there, an easy gravel road leads to the dam, running along the gorge of the Tërkuzë River and offering thrilling views into the abyss. A handful of uphill switchbacks later, the track hugs the reservoir—a serene green-blue idyll surrounded by complete solitude.

After this, things get more challenging. A narrow, rough gravel road climbs away from the lake in tight curves and switchbacks, often running at an angle along steep slopes. Narrow sections frequently demand precision driving down to the centimeter—definitely not suitable for large vehicles. Eventually, the track reaches the hamlet of Gudhi Kampt, where it meets the SH 38. From there, a left turn leads to Krujë, while a right turn heads toward Burrel.