Dajti National Park is one of the best places to escape the busy streets of Tirana. Just 26 kilometers away, it covers over 29,000 hectares of mountains, forests, and open fields. You can hike along forest trails, enjoy a picnic, or take the Dajti Ekspres cable car.Reaching the park is simple when renting a car in Tirana. The drive takes about 40 minutes, and you can stop at viewpoints along the way. Our Dajti National Park travel guide will help you discover how to plan a smooth and exciting day trip.
Dajti National Park is one of the most popular nature escapes in Albania. Here are reasons to visit:
Tirana International Airport is the main entry point for most travelers visiting Albania. The park is located about 28 kilometers from the airport. The most direct way is to travel from the airport to Tirana first.
From the city, you can reach the park in around 40 minutes. If you are heading to the Dajti Ekspres cable car lower station, you can follow signs toward the suburb of Linza. Parking is available at the station if you are driving. The cable car ride takes 15 minutes to reach the upper station at around 1,000 meters. Enjoy panoramic views and explore the park’s hiking trails, restaurants, and activity areas.
If you prefer to reach the park without using the cable car, you can drive all the way up the SH54 road to the park’s main entrance. This option is convenient for those wanting to explore beyond the main tourist areas, including Bovilla Lake or the less-visited Mali me Gropa.
You can plan a day trip to Dajti National Park in any season. However, each time of year has a different atmosphere. In summer, temperatures on the mountain are cooler than in the city, making it a refreshing escape. July and August are the warmest months, attracting more visitors, so expect lively picnic areas and full restaurants. In spring, wildflowers bloom across the meadows, and the forest becomes fresh green.
Autumn displays gold and red leaves in the beech forests, perfect for hiking and photography. Winter transforms the mountain into a snowy retreat, especially for Tirana residents who rarely see snow in the city. The park’s ski areas are small but cozy and alpine-feeling. The weather in the park can change quickly, especially at higher elevations. At around 1,000 meters, average temperatures are about 12°C. January is the coldest month, with an average of 3°C, and July is the warmest at around 20°C. Rain is common in late autumn and early spring, so bring a rain jacket. Snowfall is possible from December to March.
The Dajti Ekspres cable car is one of the most memorable parts of your visit to the park. It runs for 4.7 km, making it the longest cable car in the Balkans. In just 15 minutes, you will climb more than 800 meters from the edge of Tirana into the green slopes of the mountain. As you glide above forests, hills, and small farms, you’ll spot old bunkers from Albania’s communist era and enjoy wider panoramic views with every passing minute.
You can easily reach the lower station in Linza by car or public transport. The Porcelain bus from Skanderbeg Square will drop you near the station after a short ride. A round-trip ticket costs around 1,400 lek (€14) for adults, with discounts for children. The cable car operates from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays and until 7:00 pm on weekends. It is closed on Tuesdays except during public holidays.
When you step out at the upper station, you are already in the heart of Dajti National Park. Here, you can enjoy a drink at the rotating bar, dine at restaurants with open terraces, or take in the views from the observation areas. On clear days, you can see Tirana below, the Adriatic Sea in the distance, and even the Port of Durres. The upper station is also your starting point for many hiking trails, including the route to Tujani Peak.
A day trip to Dajti National Park is full of activities. You can spend the day walking through shaded forests, enjoying adrenaline sports, or relaxing in quiet picnic areas with a view. The park also offers cultural sites.
Hiking is one of the main reasons people plan a day trip to Dajti National Park. The most popular route is the Tujani Peak trail, starting from the upper cable car station. It takes about 2 hours to reach the peak at 1,580 meters. It is the highest point you can reach on foot. The path goes through shady oak forests and passes the Cherry Pass, which connects Mount Dajti and Tujani. From the summit, you can see the blue waters of Lake Bovilla and the mountains surrounding it.
Another trail worth your time is the hike to Pellumbas Cave, also called the Black Cave. This path near the Erzen River takes you past steep canyon walls and fields of wildflowers. Inside the cave, you will see stalactites, stalagmites, and archaeological remains from as far back as the Neolithic period. If you prefer something shorter, the picnic meadows and forest paths near the upper station are perfect for leisurely walks for families with children.
The park offers plenty of choices if you are looking for more active fun. Mountain biking lets you experience the slopes fast and excitingly, while horse riding is a slower but scenic option. The Dajti Adventure Park has rope courses and zip lines for all ages. Mini golf is available at the upper station, with an 18-hole course set among landscaped greens. For a real thrill, try paragliding from the mountain for a bird’s-eye view of Tirana and its surroundings. In winter, small skiing areas open for casual snow sports.
Some visitors come to Dajti National Park to relax and enjoy the scenery. Around the upper station, grassy fields are ideal places to spread a blanket and enjoy a meal outdoors. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times for picnics, with mild temperatures and fewer insects. Bovilla Lake, in the northern part of the park, is another spot for peaceful moments. The lake’s turquoise water, surrounded by cliffs, creates stunning reflections on clear days. Because the road to the lake is rough, it is best reached by guided tour or a sturdy vehicle.
Dajti National Park is not only about nature; it also has a rich history. You will find Bunk’Art 1, a museum inside a former Cold War bunker near the lower cable car station. The exhibits give you a deeper understanding of Albania’s communist period. Higher on the mountain, you can visit the ruins of Dajti Castle. This fortification has been used since prehistoric times and remained important throughout the medieval period and World Wars.
For photography lovers, Dajti National Park is a dream location. From the Tujani Peak summit, you can capture Lake Bovilla’s turquoise waters framed by rugged cliffs. As you ascend, the Dajti Ekspres cable car offers sweeping shots of Tirana, rural villages, and rolling hills. In autumn, golden forests and misty valleys create postcard-perfect images, while winter’s snow-covered slopes bring a white landscape.
The most famous spot is Ballkoni Dajtit, a log cabin–stle restaurant at the upper station. It serves traditional Albanian dishes made with organic ingredients. A meal for two, including coffee, costs around €31, and the terrace views are some of the best in Albania. The Dajti Tower Belvedere Hotel is the main accommodation in the park. Located at about 1,100 meters above sea level, it offers rooms with views of Tirana or the forested slopes. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, and conference center. Stay overnight to enjoy sunsets and early morning light without the crowds.
Dajti National Park was first protected in 1961 and officially declared a national park in 1966. Over the years, its boundaries expanded to cover about 29,384 hectares. It is classified as a Category II protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and recognized as an Important Plant Area by Plantlife. The park’s location in the Kruja mountain range and its proximity to Tirana have made it both a natural refuge and a cultural landmark. Archaeological sites within the park show it was inhabited and fortified for thousands of years.
Mount Dajti is a rugged mountain massif that rises to 1,613 meters above sea level. It includes other notable peaks such as Maja e Miçekut të Shëmerisë and Maja e Tujanit. Its slopes are covered in dense pine and beech forests, broken by open meadows and rocky outcrops. The mountain’s western side faces the capital, while its eastern slopes descend toward Lake Bovilla, a key water source for Tirana.
Geologically, Mount Dajti is made up of limestone and dolomite formations shaped by processes dating back to the Mesozoic era. Over time, water has carved out a network of karst features, including caves, sinkholes, and underground channels. These rock formations make the landscape look striking and help feed springs and streams across the park.
The weather here is cooler than in Tirana because it has coastal and mountain influences. Summer is warm but never too hot, which makes it a nice break from the city. In winter, snow often covers the slopes and turns them into spots for outdoor fun. Most rain falls in late autumn and winter. This rain keeps the park’s plants healthy. The forests soak up the water and send it to springs and streams that flow to Lake Bovilla.
When you visit Dajti National Park, you will notice how the vegetation changes as you go higher. On the lower slopes, Mediterranean shrubs and fragrant wild herbs grow among rocky paths. Mid-level areas are covered with thick oak forests. Higher up, the air becomes fresher, and you will walk through beech and maple woodlands. At the summit, open meadows bloom with seasonal wildflowers.
The park is also home to diverse wildlife that thrives in these different zones. If lucky, you might spot a brown bear moving through the forest or a red fox darting across a clearing. Other animals include wolves, wild boars, and the elusive European wildcat. Eagles often patrol the skies, while woodpeckers and mountain partridges can be seen or heard in the trees. Reptiles and amphibians are also present, especially near streams and ponds.
Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for hiking. Even in summer, temperatures can drop quickly at higher altitudes, so bring an extra layer. Carry enough water, especially if you plan to hike to Tujani Peak or beyond. If you are driving, check your fuel before heading up, as no gas stations are in the park. Parking is available in the lower and upper areas but can be crowded on weekends. Always follow park rules, stay on marked trails, and take your litter with you to help preserve the natural beauty of this destination.
A day trip to Dajti National Park takes you away from busy streets and into cool mountain air. The park has forest trails to explore, the longest cable car ride in the Balkans, and calm turquoise waters where you can sit and unwind. Book a car in Albania with Final Rentals to visit the park, Bovilla Lake, and nearby attractions at your own pace.
