The ferry trip
From Koman to Fierzë.
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Lake Koman is a reservoir on the Drin River in northern Albania that looks like a flooded mountain gorge. Forested hills, vertical cliffs and narrow valleys surround it, and the ferry between Koman and Fierzë is among the finest water journeys in the country, popular with foreign visitors. The lake was created by the Koman hydroelectric dam, built between 1979 and 1988 and 115 m high. It is fed by the Drin, Valbona and Shala rivers. It covers 34 square kilometres and is 400 m wide, and at its narrowest the canyon walls stand little more than 50 m apart. The trip takes about two and a half hours and passes remote villages reachable only by water, with small boats carrying people and goods. High slopes rise above green water, and the area is home to otters and birds such as the common kingfisher and grey heron. The operator lists departures at 9 am from Koman and 1 pm from Fierzë, though times can change with the season and water level. Minibuses run from Shkodër to the landing, so book ahead in summer. The landing is 26 km in a straight line from Shkodër, and you can continue on to the Valbona Valley.
From Koman to Fierzë.
Walls about 50 m apart.
Reachable only by water.
Koman ferry landing, Drin River, northern Albania
About two and a half hours between Koman and Fierzë.
It is wise in summer, especially with a car or a minibus from Shkodër.