COLD WATER SWIMMING VIROI LAKE

Albanians are skipping the heated pool and rediscovering the pleasures of lakes — even in winter.
                                                             By Alexander Paskali
                                                                    07.02.2020

Viroi lake is located 3 km away from Gjirokastra city and its natural underwater treasures have never been listed as a tourist attraction. It is one of the natural monuments of the city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), announced as a protected area in 1982. Viroi underwater cave has a depth of 249 meters and is surrounded by wild pines on the outside. 

The cave is unexplored by the most tourists that come here, expect from divers, cavers and speleologists and adrenaline enthusiasts who are well experienced in cold water exposure. It seems that Albania’s nature keeps undiscovered secrets which are not yet explored or known by most of the people.

  

The site probably will remind you of a calming Monet painting, since the surface of the lake is covered in plants and flowers. Underneath the water surface, you can see many underwater plants and beautiful caves. It is possible to dive the lake and explore the caves more closely but you will need a thick neoprene costume to make the dive more comfortable. Also you need to be a skilled swimmer cause the water coming from natural spring makes a whirlpool effect apparently. 

We dived on 7th of February on a sunny day. The water temperature was 8-10 degrees Celsius and the water felt like ice cold once you submerge in it. You need to accustom your body temperature first by diving at the left side out of the spring natural water which is usually warmer and then enter into the spring water. Once you are inside let your body to adjust a little bit and calm yourself and your breathing, because the body usually takes an initial shock. We start by putting first our feet and then the upper body. Do not try to put your face and head inside for more than 3 seconds because it will get numb. But the level of adrenaline you feel afterward pays off. Cold exposure for a few minutes benefits your immune system and your mood in general so i suggest to all experienced divers and swimmers, but be careful because there are dangers to it. Do not try it if you feel weak or you have bad health conditions, because you are gonna regret it.

Below you will find the video from the moment of entering into the natural spring water: 

https://www.facebook.com/Albanian.Adventurer/posts/636074517249174?notif_id=1587529619324583&notif_t=page_post_reaction&ref=notif

This article is prepared by: Alexander Paskali - movement activist for the promotion of remote rural areas for more access and development “Dropull a rural experience” Coordinator of “Hiking South Albania” group, leader of personalized local guides in Dropull area for 6 years , visits to cult sites and areas of particular importance, very good connoisseurs of mountain trails. 

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