Hotova–Dangëlli National Park

The Hotova–Dangëlli National Park (in Albanian, Parku Kombëtar Bredhi i Hotovës–Dangëlli, "the fir of Hotova and Dangëlli") is a protected area of forest, canyons and mountain villages north-east of Përmet. It was designated in December 2008 and covers more than 34,000 hectares, which makes it one of Albania's larger national parks. It is named after the Macedonian fir, a Mediterranean tree that grows here in dense stands, and it takes in the Lengarica canyon, the Katiu bridge, the Benja thermal springs and the village of Frashër.

Hotova–Dangëlli National Park at a glance

The fir forest

The Macedonian fir (Abies borisii-regis) gives the park its name. Wikipedia describes the Hotova fir as one of the most important Mediterranean plant relics in Albania. The local tourism office gives the typical height of the firs as 25 to 30 metres, and a published circular route through the forest notes trees that are over a hundred years old. Deciduous woodland grows alongside the firs.

Wildlife

The park is home to brown bear, grey wolf, wild cat, roe deer, wild boar, red squirrel, otter, badger and red fox. Birds include the golden eagle, eagle owl, sparrowhawk, kestrel, lanner falcon and Egyptian vulture. Large mammals such as the bear and the wolf are present, but most visitors will not see them. Keep to paths, keep your distance from any animal you do meet and never leave food behind.

Walking in the park

The local tourism office describes five marked trails in the fir forest, with coloured way-marks and GPS maps. Outdooractive lists a circular route through the park of about 6.2 km, which takes around 2 hours with about 300 metres of climbing, and is rated easy. Longer routes link the park with the Lengarica canyon and the Benja thermal springs: see the Langarica Canyon page for those.

There are no formal guesthouses inside the forest itself, according to the local tourism office, so plan to base yourself in Përmet or in one of the villages: see where to stay in Përmet.

Villages and culture

Frashër, one of the villages on the edge of the park, is the home village of Abdyl, Naim and Sami Frashëri, three leading figures of the Albanian National Awakening, and has a house museum dedicated to the brothers and a Bektashi tekke. Read more on the Frashër page.

Getting there

From Përmet, take the SH75 road towards Frashër. Visitor guides describe it as rough in places, so a 4x4 or an experienced driver is advisable, and you should ask locally about current conditions before you set out. Allow more time than the distance suggests. The park is only a few kilometres north-east of Përmet as the crow flies, but the roads into it are longer than the map distance suggests.

When to go

Late spring (May to early June) and early autumn (September to October) have mild weather that suits walking. Summer is hot at lower altitudes, and snow can lie on the higher ground of the surrounding mountains from about November to April. The local tourism office notes that the forest offers something in every season.

Visiting responsibly

• Stay on paths and take all rubbish with you.
• Do not light fires and do not pick or damage trees or plants.
• Camping or staying in forest buildings may need permission from the park authority, so ask before you plan it.
• Give wildlife space, and never feed animals.

Combine it with

• A soak at the Benja thermal baths.
• A walk in the Nemërçkë mountains.
• A rafting trip on the Vjosa.

Sources

• Fir of Hotovë–Dangëlli National Park (Wikipedia)
• Protected areas of Albania (Wikipedia)
• Visit Gjirokastra: Hotova–Dangëlli fir national park
• Outdooractive: hiking trails around Përmet
• Komoot: hiking in Hotova–Dangëlli National Park
• In Your Pocket: Frashër village

Facts checked in October 2026. Sources disagree on the exact area, so it is given as "more than 34,000 hectares".