Komani Lake

Where it is

Drin river, between Koman and Fierza, northern Albania Part of Albanian Alps.

How to get there

Koman is about an hour and a half from Shkodër by road; the ferry leaves Koman at 09:00 (cars and passengers), so the day starts early. From Tirana it is a very early start or an overnight in Shkodër; we run a private transfer from Tirana, Durrës or Golem to the Koman landing, and our tours pick up in Shkodër and Tirana.

Best time to visit

May to October; the ferry does not run in winter. The Shala River is at its best for swimming in July and August.

How long to spend

The ferry crossing is about 2.5 hours one way. A day trip from Shkodër with the Shala River is about ten hours door to door.

Things to do

• The ferry to Fierza through the gorge
• Speedboat into the Shala River, with a swim in summer
• Kayaking from Koman
• Continue to Valbona and walk the pass to Theth

What to bring

Swimming clothes in summer for the Shala River, a layer for the wind on the water, sun protection, and cash for anything bought on the lake.

Practical information

There is one morning ferry departure, so timing decides the day: miss 09:00 at Koman and the crossing is gone until tomorrow. The ferry is a crossing that ends in Fierza (an hour by road from Valbona); the speedboat is a return trip into the Shala River and back to Koman. Our tours start from Shkodër, Tirana or Koman itself; each tour page says where it starts and what the price covers.

History

The lake was created by the Koman hydroelectric dam on the Drin, completed in 1985; the gorge that the river had cut through the mountains filled with water, and the villages along it are reached by boat to this day. The ferry began as the local link between Koman and Fierza and became one of the best-known boat journeys in the Balkans.

Nearby places

Shala River · Valbona Valley

Experiences here

Hiking · Sightseeing · Beach · Culture · Food · Nature · Rafting · Boat trip · Trekking