National park · Albania
Fir of Hotova National ParkParku Kombetar “Bredhi i Hotoves-Dangelli”
Enter Fir of Hotova for a day hike to Kokojka summit (≈3 km (1.9 mi), moderate) – cost unknown, bring food and water; best in late spring to early autumn; use a 4×4 from SH75.Enter Fir of Hotova for a day hike to Kokojka summit (≈1.9 mi (3 km), moderate) – cost unknown, bring food and water; best in late spring to early autumn; use a 4×4 from SH75.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
344 km² (133 sq mi)133 sq mi (344 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Albania ↗Albania is outside the EU and the Schengen area and sets its own entry rules; check the official requirements for your passport before you book.
- Albania ↗If you drive, carry your licence, rental papers and insurance proof, and expect unlit mountain roads and livestock after dark.
- Albania ↗Land borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece are used by buses; allow for queues in summer and check that your rental contract allows crossing.
- Southeastern Albania ↗Carry lek in cash: smaller guesthouses, hot springs and rural buses often take nothing else.
- Southeastern Albania ↗Unpaved stretches are common inland; allow more time than the map suggests.
At a glance
- Country
- Albania
- Area
- 344 km² (133 sq mi)133 sq mi (344 km²)
- Park covers 34,361 ha (≈343.6 km²) of fir forest; figures from official declaration.
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Përmet
Fir of Hotova National Park protects the largest Bulgarian fir forest in the Balkans, offering marked mountain trails, wildlife habitats and panoramic views over the Lumica Valley.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1996.
Size and age
344 km² (133 sq mi)133 sq mi (344 km²) · national park since 1996
Park covers 34,361 ha (≈343.6 km²) of fir forest; figures from official declaration.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Përmet.
Why go
- Largest Bulgarian fir forest in the Balkans.
- Marked mountain trails with panoramic views of Lumica Valley.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanSnow, limited access.
- FebSnow, roads icy.
- MarMelting snow, trails open.
- AprFresh growth, mild weather.
- MayWarm, dry, full trail access.
- JunWarm, low rain.
- JulHot, occasional storms.
- AugHot, possible thunderstorms.
- SepCooler, dry.
- OctCool, some rain.
- NovCold, possible snow.
- DecSnow, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown bear, wolf, wild goatApr–Sep · Sightings rare; keep distance. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Permet town
Drive north on SH75; road rough, 4×4 recommended.
15–30 min
Open the page →
From Gjirokastër
Bus to Permet then local taxi or 4×4 to park gate.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance gate | Vehicle checkpoint, information board. | Open to public. |
| Kokojka summit area | Marked trailhead, viewpoint over Lumica Valley. | Accessible on foot via marked trail. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central park area and nearby landmarks.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No official fee listed (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; use nearby villages.
- Fires
- Prohibited; only use designated areas outside the park.
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Alvero
Basic rooms in Permet, 5 km (3.1 mi) from gate.Basic rooms in Permet, 3.1 mi (5 km) from gate.
Near the park
Hotel Permeti
Similar budget option in Permet.
Safety
Rough road medium
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; trails steep, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all litter; avoid feeding wildlife.
- Support local villages by buying food and staying in local hotels.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Fir of Hotova National Park?
No official entry fee is published; visitors usually pay nothing at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Fir of Hotova National Park?
The Kokojka summit trail (≈3 km, moderate) offers panoramic views; other marked forest paths are available from the gate.
When is the best time to visit Fir of Hotova National Park?
Late spring to early autumn (April–October) gives dry trails and good weather; early summer is peak.
Do I need a 4×4 to reach the park?
The road from SH75 is rough; a 4×4 is strongly recommended.
Are there food facilities inside the park?
No; bring supplies or buy food in nearby Permet villages.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Fir of Hotova National Park
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