It is Albania's ecological flagship region, covering around 1,300 hectares and inaugurated back in 1966—the Lurë National Park in the north of the country. Its botanical diversity is as vast as the number of animal species it hosts. For example, the endangered Macedonian Pine finds its home here. However, dark clouds have been gathering over this idyllic area for years—the forest is under threat from deforestation. Despite a law prohibiting tree felling, large-scale illegal logging continues, especially in the central and southern parts of the park, with significant ecological and visual consequences.
The crowning jewel of Lurë National Park is its seven glacial lakes, situated along a track. And this route description focuses on that very track. Coming from the A1 motorway (Rrëshen exit), you follow the SH 34 to the village of Perlat gendër, where the unpaved part of the journey begins. The dirt track quickly ascends, crosses two mountain ridges, and descends into the mining settlement of Kurbnesh. From there, it climbs again, reaching the Qafë Merkurhit Pass (950 m). Beyond the pass, the village of Krej-Lurë comes into view. A few more kilometers, and you arrive at a junction leading to the glacial lakes—or so it seems.
In practice, this means tackling an extremely rocky path that climbs to the lakes, located at altitudes between 1,400 and 1,700 meters. If your vehicle doesn’t have high ground clearance, it’s best to reconsider.
The onward journey to Arras is no less demanding. Rough rocks, steep descents, and slippery clay soil require a steady hand on the handlebars or wheel. Initially, the route climbs steeply until it reaches the Qafë Lanës Pass at around 1,400 meters. The descent via Cidhën is significantly more manageable, and after some relaxed gravel kilometers, the endpoint at Arras is reached.
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