The Lake Bufi Trail

Lake Butrint lies at the centre of the Butrint wetlands. It is a coastal lagoon, up to 20 m deep in places, linked to the sea via the Vivari Channel. The salinity of the lake depends on the state of the tide.

The waters of Lake Butrint are rich in aquatic vegetation that serves as food for numerous fish species. Mussels have been produced in the lake since 1968 and at the height of production some 250 people were employed from the neighbouring villages. Along the west and south sides of the lagoon the remains of numerous pontoons can be seen.

The lake is an important feeding and resting-place for thousands of wintering and migrating water birds. Diving species are most common here, in particular crested grebe, little grebe, pochard, goldeneye and coot.

The reed beds to the northeast of the lake play an important function in the ecosystem. They filter water to remove silts and toxic substances from agricultural activity. They are also a very important habitat for feeding birds, such as moorhen, water rail and little bittern. Birds of prey, including the hen harrier and marsh harrier roost here, while reed warbler and great reed warbler nest among the reeds.

Many species of amphibians and reptiles – such as the stripe-necked terrapin, green frog and the yellow-bellied toad – feed, breed and hibernate among the reed beds. The Epirote frog is also found here, the only place where it exists in Albania. Bats, including the pipistrelle and the horseshoe, can be seen feeding at night.

In recent years, the lack of fresh sweet water coming in to the lake has led to a process called eutrophication whereby gases harmful to fish are released from the mud in the lake bottom. In order to stop this, work has recently been carried out to restore the inflow of fresh sweet water through a system of sluice gates and channels on the Vurgu Plain at the north of the Lake Butrint.

Lake Bufi (also known as Rreza) is a small shallow lake with an average depth of just 1 m. It used to be brackish until, in the 1960s, and artificial channel was created to link it to Lake Butrint. It is now saline and tidal although several freshwater springs flow into the lake from the east and the north. In the 18th century the latter were used to power a mill, the ruins of which are still visible.

 

• Beyond Butrint and the environment
• Marked walks around Butrint
• The Kalivo Trail
• QTVR from Kalivo
• The Butrint Bay trail
• The Lake Bufi trail
• The Mount Sotirës trail
• QTVR of the ferry crossing
• Download: Walking Trails leaflet

Reed beds

• Reed beds are one of the most important habitat for wildlife, especially birds and amphibians in Albania.
• Reed beds act as a natural filtration system by removing pollutants from water runoff.
• Traditionally reed beds provide raw material for thatching, basket making and other crafts