Përmet’s geographic position where two parks meet
Përmet lies in the Vjosa valley, bordered by the Dangëlli and Trebeshinë mountain ranges, far from large urban centres. The National Tourism Agency (AKT) officially associates two national parks with Përmet: the Vjosa Wild River National Park and Hotova–Dangëlli National Park.
This convergence of riverine and mountain environments creates a distinctive natural position for the town, where the free-flowing river corridor meets the Dangëlli mountain massif.
To read more about the Hotova forest environment, see the Fir of Hotova profile ↗ or visit the Vjosa riverfront ↗.
Vjosa Wild River National Park
The Vjosa Wild River National Park was declared on 15 March 2023, becoming Europe’s first Wild River National Park. The river is protected under IUCN Protected Area Management Category II.
The park was created by the Albanian Government, IUCN, and Patagonia, together with Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign NGOs and over 30 specialists. The river flows from the Pindus range in Greece (where it is called the Aoös) to the Adriatic Sea in Albania, and AKT describes the Vjosa as one of the cleanest and wildest rivers in Europe.
Phase I of the park covers 12,727 hectares and became operational by early 2024, with Phase II set to add further tributaries. The park protects over 400 kilometres of free-flowing river. The river and its surroundings host over 1,100 animal species, of which 13 animal species and 2 plant species are assessed as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Hotova-Dangëlli National Park
Hotova–Dangëlli National Park is the second national park officially associated with Përmet by the National Tourism Agency. It represents the mountain forest environment framing the valley to the east.
Official documentation from AKT names this park alongside Përmet, but publishes no official breakdown of exact acreage, species counts, founding date, or trail networks in its primary fact sheet. These boundaries of official information are maintained without invention.
For background on the valley’s history, see the Përmet history timeline ↗.
Frequently asked questions
Which two national parks meet at Përmet?
Përmet is officially associated with two national parks: the Vjosa Wild River National Park and Hotova–Dangëlli National Park. The town sits in the Vjosa valley between the Dangëlli and Trebeshinë ranges.
When was the Vjosa Wild River National Park established?
The Vjosa River was declared a National Park on 15 March 2023, becoming Europe’s first Wild River National Park. It is protected under IUCN Protected Area Management Category II.
How large is the Vjosa National Park and how many species live there?
Phase I covers 12,727 hectares and protects over 400 kilometres of free-flowing river. The river corridor hosts over 1,100 animal species, including 13 animal species and 2 plant species assessed as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Where does the Vjosa River originate and flow?
The river flows from the Pindus range in Greece, where it is called the Aoös, to the Adriatic Sea in Albania. AKT describes the Vjosa as one of the cleanest and wildest rivers in Europe.
Who created the Vjosa Wild River National Park?
The park was created by the Albanian Government, IUCN, and Patagonia, together with Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign NGOs and over 30 specialists. Phase I became operational by early 2024.