Shebenik National Park National Park

Shebenik National Park is a mountainous protected area in eastern Albania, within Elbasan County, that preserves high-elevation ridges, forests and alpine habitats. The park is important for regional biodiversity and contains extensive beech and fir stands.

Trails and remote valleys offer opportunities for hiking and nature observation, and the park includes highland lakes, glacial cirques and steep forested slopes. Large carnivores and other mammals occur in the park, making it a conservation priority in the central Balkans.

Protection efforts focus on conserving forest habitats and maintaining traditional land uses in a way that supports biodiversity. The park lies along Albania’s border region adjacent to North Macedonia and forms part of the broader Shebenik-Jabllanicë mountain system.

Geographically the park is in eastern Albania’s uplands, accessible from regional towns and connected by mountain roads into the surrounding counties.

• Wildlife value: The park is a cross-border mountain area near North Macedonia and protects extensive intact forests that support mammals such as brown bear and wolf.

What to See#

• Shebenik massif: Mountain ridges and peaks that form the core of the park and contain mixed beech and conifer forests important for regional biodiversity.
• Highland lakes: A series of small glacial and mountain lakes and cirques scattered across the higher elevations, offering habitats for alpine flora and fauna.

• Plan visits in late spring through early autumn when mountain trails and forest roads are most accessible; outside those months snow and poor road conditions make approaches difficult.
• Base logistics in the nearest towns (for this area, Librazhd or Përrenjas are common gateways) and arrange a local guide - trail signage inside Shebenik can be sparse and guides will take you to alpine meadows, viewpoints and lesser‑seen villages.
• Ask a guide about cultural and natural highlights (local shepherding areas, glacial lakes and war‑era ruins) rather than sticking only to the main access routes; those side routes are often overlooked by day visitors.