Llogara National Park
Llogara National Park is the largest national Park of Albania situated about 40 km to the southeast of Vlora, at the entrance to the region of Himara, where the Adriatic Sea becomes the Ionian Sea. The Llogara National Park, situated in the Llogara Mountain has been proclaimed in 1966 the protected zone on the surface of 810 hectares, combining beauties of a mountain and seaside climate and making one of Albania’s most valuable tourist attractions.
During the World War I (1914-1918), when the region was occupied by the Italians, the cobblestone path was strengthened by the work of the prisoners of war from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The road was paved later, during the period of communism in 1970, and repaired in 2000. Driving along the coastal road from Oricum to Dhermi one passes along the famous Llogara Pass – a spectacular winding road which reaches 1017 meters, and overlooks the Ionian coast of the gorgeous Albanian Riviera. At the top of the Llogara pass, a large panorama point – 1000 m above sea level offers a breathtaking view of the Ionian Sea, with a steep slope lunging down to the water’s edge. The Llogara National Park specifically protects the forests on the north side of the Llogara pass from a height of 470 meters to 2018 meters above sea level. The Llogara National Park starts at 470 meters above sea level and climbs to 2018 meters and it offers great possibilities of eco-tourism, air sports, hiking and picnics. After 20 minutes of driving along the National Highway in south of Albania, one enters the beautiful Albanian Riviera. Here, you can stay overnight in the park and enjoy the restaurants, contemporary clubs, outdoor activities and excursions.
It was because of the perfectly clear mountainous air at the Llogara area that the communist government decided to build a sanatorium for pulmonary diseases here in 1970’s. In 2000, after the renovation of the road, the Llogara mountain pass gradually turned into a small tourist place. Because of its pastures that have been used over the past centuries, including the period of the socialist cooperative, the area is famous for its delicious lamb meat. No wonder that Llogara is crowded by small restaurants offering fresh lamb meat and various dairy products. As the place became famous for its “eating pleasures” even the regional bus drivers established a regular stop here on their journeys.
Lots of black pine /Pinus nigra/ trees, Bosnian Pines /Pinus heldreichii/, Bulgarian fir /Abies borisii-sign/ and ash trees /Fraxinus/ are found in the Llogara National Park. You can enjoy part of its magical natural beauty while traveling along the Vlorë-Sarandë National Highway at Qafa e Llogarasë, 1025 m above sea level. The Llogara National Park is habitat for Griffin Vulture, Golden Eagle, Rock Partridge, Fallow Deer, Roe Deer, European Wildcat, Chamois, Red Squirrel, Eurasian Otter, European Otter, Stone Marten, Wolf and Red Fox. Beginning not long after Dhërmi, the road to Llogara pass is a brand new road, very well designed and has an excellent condition, one of the best in Albania. Moreover, the view is stunning and is worth the travel. Not far before the summit of Llogara pass, on the side of the gorgeous Çika Mountain, a view point allows to have a superb view on Palasë beach, a strip of desert sand that lies on 1.5 kilometers. Here, medicinal and decorative plants scents mix with masses of pine trees. Near the Llogara Pass, a number of very interesting tree shapes due to wind currents can be observed. Ask for “Pisha Flamur” (Pine of the Flag). From the Llogara Pass, visitors can see the Ionian sea, the sharp slopes of Vetëtima (Lightning) Mountain and a good part of the “Albanian Riviera.” The range of the Çika Mountain stretches from the Karaburun peninsula, where it is much lower, to Qeparo and Borsh. It reaches 2,044 meters elevation, not far from Llogara pass. Ceasar’s Pass (Qafa e Cezarit) named after the Roman Emperor Julius Ceasar who set foot in the area in pursuit of Pompey is also located near the Llogara Pass. Llogara area is a great destination for air sports and gliding site hosting international competitions featuring wonderful climate due to the combination of mountain and sea air.
