PARC NATIONAL DU SAPIN DE HOTOVA-DANGËLL

This national park (Parku Kombëtar Bredhi i Hotovës-Dangëlli) is located in the Dangëll region and is home to a large concentration of Bulgarian firs(Abies borisii-regis), locally known as "Hotova firs". Created in 1996, it covers an area of 343 ^km2. The largest area is located north of Permët, around the village of Frashër. It is bounded to the west by the Vjosa valley and to the north by the Tomorr massif and the Osum valley (Berat region). A narrower strip runs south-east for 50 km to Leskovik. The park encompasses the Nemërçka mountains, which rise to 2,485 m, and the gorge of the Langarica (Kanioni i Langaricës), a river that flows into the Vjosa at the village of Petran, 8 km southwest of Permët. Due to its isolation, this is one of the few wooded areas in Albania spared from the massive illegal deforestation that began after the fall of the Communist regime. In addition to the Bulgarian fir, you'll also find maple, black hornbeam and holm oak. The park also includes meadows and is home to a rich fauna: brown bears, wolves, foxes, wildcats, deer, wild boar, hares, squirrels, wild goats, otters, badgers and more. Birds of prey include golden eagles, great horned owls, barn owls, sparrow hawks, Egyptian vultures and kestrels. The two most popular areas of the park are the village of Frashër and the Langarica Gorge.