Hiking in Albanian Alps
8 Days/ 7 Nights
OVERVIEW
- Albania is quickly becoming a tourism hotspot, offering a mix of modernity and tradition combined with stunning scenery. This tour is designed to offer a blend of hiking experience along the breathtaking trails stretched into the Albanian Alps, from Valbona Valley to the tiny remote Theth village and culture, through visiting the most prominent historic cities of Kruja & Shkodra. We will experience the rarified air of Albania as you trek the Alps. This trekking circuit will reward you with breathtaking scenery of green valleys, rugged peaks, recharging at night with delicious mountain cuisine in authentic Albanian alpine settlements converted into welcoming guesthouses. We will challenge ourselves to conquer premiere hiking routes, uncovering the alpine heart of Albania on this incredible active adventure.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Historic Shkoder and Rozafa fortress
- Accursed Mountains
- Koman ferry ride on fjord-like Lake Koman
- Theth National Park
- The Grand Crossing- the hike across the Valbona Pass (1,811m)
- Peja Pass
- Tower of Theth – Albanian blood feud tower
Day 1: Arrival - Tirana International Airport – Shkodra
Upon major ethnic groups in Albania, with its own dialect and fondness for poetry. Shkodra is the perfect example of the harmony between the three main religions in Albania : Islam, Catholicism and Orthodoxy. The city is home to the Great Mosque (built in 1995) and also Catholic Cathedral , St Stephen's Cathedral, where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass there during his visit in 1993. The city center reflects an Italian flair due its impressive architecture. We will visit the ruins of Rozafa castle, an impressive settlement dating from the 4th century BC which is located on rocky hill 133m high. From there we can enjoy stunning view over the lake and the city. Evening will conclude with a welcome dinner.
Driving Tirana Airport – Shkodra 1.5-2 hrs Accommodation Hotel (Dinner)
Upon major ethnic groups in Albania, with its own dialect and fondness for poetry. Shkodra is the perfect example of the harmony between the three main religions in Albania : Islam, Catholicism and Orthodoxy. The city is home to the Great Mosque (built in 1995) and also Catholic Cathedral , St Stephen's Cathedral, where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass there during his visit in 1993. The city center reflects an Italian flair due its impressive architecture. We will visit the ruins of Rozafa castle, an impressive settlement dating from the 4th century BC which is located on rocky hill 133m high. From there we can enjoy stunning view over the lake and the city. Evening will conclude with a welcome dinner.
Driving Tirana Airport – Shkodra 1.5-2 hrs Accommodation Hotel (Dinner)
Day 2: Journey to Valbona
Early morning transfer to the ferry port for a boat trip through a picturesque gorge to Koman dam (40 km/ approx 1½ hrs) . The fjord -like reservoir stretches among steep cliffs (20 km/3 hrs). Upon reaching Fierze, dropping off the ferry we get on a minivan and continue towards Valbona. En route we stop for lunch in a local restaurant Afterwards will embark on a first warm-up hike taking you along the crystal-clear stream and through quiet, berry-lined trails through the forest. The hike ends in beautiful Valbona National Park, after check in to the accommodation free time to enjoy the alpine settlements until it is time for dinner, where we will try delicious dishes made of local organic ingredients.
Early morning transfer to the ferry port for a boat trip through a picturesque gorge to Koman dam (40 km/ approx 1½ hrs) . The fjord -like reservoir stretches among steep cliffs (20 km/3 hrs). Upon reaching Fierze, dropping off the ferry we get on a minivan and continue towards Valbona. En route we stop for lunch in a local restaurant Afterwards will embark on a first warm-up hike taking you along the crystal-clear stream and through quiet, berry-lined trails through the forest. The hike ends in beautiful Valbona National Park, after check in to the accommodation free time to enjoy the alpine settlements until it is time for dinner, where we will try delicious dishes made of local organic ingredients.
•Driving : Shkodra-Koman 40 km, Fierze-Dunishe 40 km. Ferry: Koman- Fierze 20 km.
•Walking: ↑250m ↓50 ↔ 7km 3 hrs Accommodation – Hotel (B/L/D)
Day 3: Valbona – Hiking to Rama Huts
This day is based in the Valbona valley and/or the surrounding area. After breakfast, we will start hiking along a trail leading to Kukaj, a remote hamlet where few families live. We will continue further along the trail, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rocky peaks before arriving at a simple shepherd hut at 1670m, where we take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch. After a picnic lunch, we'll descend towards the valley, following the same trail. Overnight and dinner at the same guesthouse as previous night.
•Walking: ↑750m ↓700m ↔ 12km 6 hrs
•Accommodation – Hotel (Breakfast /Packed Lunch /Dinner) D)
Day 4: Hiking from Valbona to Theth – Valbona Pass
After breakfast, we leave by car to the village of Rragam, from where we start another beautiful trek, through the Valbona Pass (1811m) over to the remote village of Thethi. We climb up the Valbona Pass (1,966m), which for centuries has connected the two valleys of the area, Valbona and Theth valley. We use mules to carry the heaviest baggage to where we sleep tonight. Along the trail we will make several stops, enjoying the cool springs and admiring the peaks of Jezerca and Radohima. Then there is the descent towards the village of Thethi (800 m), where we will stop for the night. The trek lasts approximately 6- 7 hours. Theth best represents the Albanian alpine villages, with typical wooden houses immersed in an idyllic landscape. Upon arrival in Thethi we’ll check in to a welcoming guesthouse and enjoy a traditional evening meal.
•Walking : ↑750m ↓1125m ↔ 15km 7 hrs
•Driving : Short transfer by car to the start of the trail Luggage transport on a horse.
•Accommodation – Guesthouse (Breakfast /Packed Lunch /Dinner)
•Walking : ↑750m ↓1125m ↔ 15km 7 hrs
•Driving : Short transfer by car to the start of the trail Luggage transport on a horse.
•Accommodation – Guesthouse (Breakfast /Packed Lunch /Dinner)
Day 5: Hiking to Peja Pass
After breakfast we will start hiking north to the Mount Arapi and then onwards towards Peja Pass, which is a stony notch carved into the mountain northwest of the Theth. We will head up the valley along an old stream bed, which will begin to climb gradually, and then more steeply up the Arapi mountain towards the notch (Peja Pass). There are many spur paths, and as long as you continue up and north towards this notch in the cliff you will reach the top. The views of the village and valley below will begin to open up and shrink as you start to zig-zag up the limestone cliff. Maja Jezerce, the highest peak in the Dinaric Alps, will be on your right as you ascend. After 2-3 hours and 7.5 km of climbing we will be at the top of the pass. This is the perfect spot for a lunch break while enjoying the views. Afterwards we will return to the village following the same trail. Free time to rest until it is time for dinner.
•Walking : ↑950 ↓950 ↔ 10km 6 hrs
•Accommodation – Guesthouse (private en-suite) (Breakfast /Packed Lunch /Dinner)
•Walking : ↑950 ↓950 ↔ 10km 6 hrs
•Accommodation – Guesthouse (private en-suite) (Breakfast /Packed Lunch /Dinner)
Day 6: Hiking from Theth – Nderlysa trail
After breakfast, we will set out exploring the village of Theth. We will wander through its green gardens, visit the church, “Kulla and Ngujimit“, the confinement tower which was conceived to shelter men threatened by blood feud into the history of the “Kanun” Following the water channels, we will you climb up to the waterfall, another highlight of this trip, the perfect spot for a short break to enjoy picnic lunch while admiring at the Grunas Canyon, almost 50 m Afterwards we will follow Shala river, hiking downstream to reach the lovely hamlet of Nderlyse.
After breakfast, we will set out exploring the village of Theth. We will wander through its green gardens, visit the church, “Kulla and Ngujimit“, the confinement tower which was conceived to shelter men threatened by blood feud into the history of the “Kanun” Following the water channels, we will you climb up to the waterfall, another highlight of this trip, the perfect spot for a short break to enjoy picnic lunch while admiring at the Grunas Canyon, almost 50 m Afterwards we will follow Shala river, hiking downstream to reach the lovely hamlet of Nderlyse.
•Walking : ↑150m ↓400m ↔ 8km 3:30h
•Luggage transport by car.
•Accommodation : Guesthouse (private en-suite) (Breakfast/Packed Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 7: Nderlysa – Shkodra-Tirana
In the morning we will hike through a canyon to reach the “Blue Eye”, a karst spring located in a wild-romantic secluded area in the neighboring valley. We will return to Nderlysa for lunch break and transfer to Shkodra and from there onward to Tirana, the capital of Albania. Dinner and overnight in Tirana.
Walking : ↑275m ↓275m ↔ 10km 3-4 hrs
Driving : Nderlysa – Shkodra 3hrs / Shkodra – Tirana 2 hrs Accommodation – Hotel (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast at hotel, we embark on a brief city tour, mainly on the downtown area which comprises the main attractions such as Skanderbeg Square's 1789 Et'hemBey Mosque, the 1830 Sahat-Kulla (Clock Tower), the National Museum of History. Afterwards departure for airport for returning home.
Driving : Tirana – Airport 0.5 hrs Meals - Breakfast
