National Park - Fir of Hotova National Park
Protected Albanian forest reserve conserving endemic fir ecosystems
Hotova National Park in Gjirokastër protects old fir stands and mountain terrain in southern Albania; hikers visit for marked trails, endemic plantlife and quieter mountain scenery.
National Park - Fir of Hotova at a Glance#
How to Get to National Park - Fir of Hotova#
The park is in Gjirokastër County in southern Albania. The nearest larger towns are Gjirokastër and Tepelenë; access is by regional roads and often requires a private vehicle or taxi. Local guides can be hired in nearby towns to arrange transport and trails.
Tips for Visiting National Park - Fir of Hotova#
- Hire a local guide from the nearest town for the best trails and to learn local conservation issues.
- Bring binoculars - the park's highlands are good for birdwatching and spotting endemic plants.
- Trail conditions can be steep and rocky; plan for sturdy footwear and a full day if attempting longer routes.
Best Time to Visit National Park - Fir of Hotova#
Late spring through early autumn is best for hiking and visibility; winter can bring snow and closed trails.
Weather & Climate near National Park - Fir of Hotova#
National Park - Fir of Hotova's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1037 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 5° | -1° | 109 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 6° | -1° | 99 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 8° | 2° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 6° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.1h |
| May | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.3h |
| June | Very Good | 10° - 21° | 16° | 40 mm | some cloud | 65% | 1.7 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.8h |
| July | Excellent | 12° - 24° | 18° | 40 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 1.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.6h |
| August | Excellent | 12° - 24° | 18° | 45 mm | mostly sunny | 52% | 1.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.6h |
| September | Very Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 1.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 117 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 5° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 9° | 4° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 1.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |