Albania (Northern Albania) · Serbia

Fierza Reservoir

Directions

Fierza Reservoir is a long reservoir on the Drin in northern Albania, about 13 km from Kukës, with parts of the White Drin and the Black Drin running into it. It covers about 72.6 km², of which 2.46 km² lie in Kosovo, and is some 70 km long and up to 128 m deep. On the Albanian side there are many canyons and some small islands. In 2014 the Kukës County Council declared the lake a Regional Nature Park.

How it formed

The lake was formed in 1978 by the Fierza hydroelectric station. It submerged much of the old town of Kukës, and the community moved to higher ground. The water level varies with power generation and the seasons, so shorelines and boat routes can change through the year.

Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Fierzë

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

Fierza is the northern end of the Koman ferry: the crossing takes about three hours, runs from mid-April to the end of October, and should be booked at least two weeks ahead in high season. Fierzë itself works best as a transit point, and the minibus to Valbona waits at the ferry terminal. The other way into Valbona is the faster but rougher road via Bajram Curri.

From Kukës, local boat owners and tour operators offer rides on the lake, mainly in summer; viewpoints can be reached by car, on winding mountain roads, and most services are in the town. Late spring to early autumn has the best weather. Ask locally before you swim, as water levels and access points vary. See the Koman Lake pages for more.