Hiking in Albania Self-Guided

Travel into the heart of the Albanian Alps and immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, where every trail tells a story and nature unveils its untouched beauty like never before.

Hiking

Duration

8

Days

Ways to travel:

Self-Guided / Private Group

From:

Ages:

2-12

16+

Grading:

Moderate

Trip Code: HSGAL

Accommodation:

3 nights hotels
2 night guesthouse
2 nigh mountain huts

Meals:

All breakfasts
2 dinners

Price:

from

€1089

Hike the best of Albanian Alps and discover the spectacular landscapes on your own pace

This amazing country is very unique and one of the most astonishing best kept secret of Europe. Rugged mountains with high raise peaks, valleys and wild landscape are waiting to be discovered. After the collapse of communism in Albania in 1991 people got a chance to visit this hospitable country. Our trip is focused in the Albanian Alps also known as ‘Accursed Mountains’ with most known Theth and Valbone National Parks. We explore the remote regions where agricultural life has remained the same for centuries. Roughed terrain, historical and cultural factors created the right conditions for people to stay somehow in isolation through the history. Here in these lands ancient blood feuds and folklore mark its past.

Trip highlights

The amazing regions of the Albanian Alps
Theth and Valbona National Park
‘Lock in Tower’ of Theth, the Blood Feud symbol
Gashi River preserved area, a UNESCO site
One of the best Ferry rides in Europe
Historical and cultural sites of Tirana

Key information

3 nights in hotels, 2 night in guesthouses, 2 nights in mountain huts
6 full hiking days
From 2 to 12 persons
Countries visited: Albania

What is included

What is not included

Itinerary

DAY 1

Start, Airport to Tirana

We will meet you at the airport and transfer approximately for 30 min to our Hotel in Tirana. A group meeting will be scheduled in the afternoon for the main briefing. Your tour guide will go with you through all the tour details and tell you all the things you need to know about this wonderful trip in the Albanian Alps. Explore Tirana and its history.

Accommodation: Hotel Starlight 4* or similar

Meals included: No meals

DAY 2

Drive from Tirana to Koman and hike to Sylbice

Today we start with a transfer for 2 hours and take one of the best Ferry rides in Europe, in Koman Lake for about 2 hours. This lake is one of three main artificial lakes in Northern Albania build during communism for producing electricity and today producing about 70% of electricity in Albania. For about 2 hours through Koman Lake, we enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountainous surroundings until we reach Fierze where a 45 minute transfer takes us to Ujeze and start ourhike to Sylbice and explore the surroundings. In the evening, a traditional homemade dinner, lovingly prepared with local ingredients, an authentic and memorable taste of the region’s hospitality.

Accommodation: Mountain Hut

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 8 km (5 mi), Ascent: 300 m (985 ft), Descent: 570m (1,870 ft)

Trip Notes

Click below and request the detailed Hiking in Albania Self-Guided trip notes, with all the essential information about this trip.

DAY 3

Sylbice to Doberdol

Today we begin the journey along the alpine pastures trail near the Kosovo border. The path ascends gently through pristine highland scenery, revealing a series of crystal and clear glacial lakes along the way. Among them, the spectacular Lake Dashi stands out, its icy, pure waters shimmering beneath the mountain light. Continuing along the trail, we make our way to the tranquil Dobërdol alpine pastures, a secluded haven surrounded by sweeping peaks and open skies. Upon arrival, those seeking an added touch of adventure may opt for an exclusive hike to Trekufiri, the remarkable highland point where Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro converge, an unforgettable experience at the crossroads of three nations.

Accommodation: Mountain Hut

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi), Ascent: 720 m (2,362 ft), Descent: 430 m (1,410 ft)

DAY 4

From Doberdol, near Gashi Nature Park trail to Çerem

Today unfolds as an exquisite alpine journey along a pristine mountain trail leading us toward Gashi River Nature Park, a UNESCO protected sanctuary celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity. As we walk, the landscape reveals traditional shepherds’ huts, ancient dense forests, and untouched wilderness. For a brief and memorable stretch, the trail crosses into Montenegro, before gracefully returning to Albania, where sweeping panoramas of the majestic Kolata Peaks come into view. The day concludes with a gentle, scenic descent into the tranquil village of Çerem, where nature, silence, and timeless mountain beauty converge.

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance: 16 km (10 mi), Ascent: 390 m (1,280 ft ), Descent: 1000 m (3,280 ft)

DAY 5

From Çerem we hike through the mountains to Valbone

From here the trail starts gently ascending in the forest and on alpine pastures mostly covered with blueberries, and on the way we can see the beautiful views of Montenegro and the Borit Pass. After the Pass we follow shepherd paths offering us fascinating panoramic views of Valbona Valley and the Albanian Alps massifs. We start descending following the White Circle trail for a while until we reach the Valbona river bed where a car will be waiting for us to drive us for about 10 min to our place

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance: 14 km (8.7 mi), Ascent: 950 m (3,118 ft ), Descent: 700 m (2,296 ft)

DAY 6

The best Pass through the Albanian Alps, Valbona to Theth.

This day is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Albanian Alps. Our trail goes up through the forest and alpine pastures, as we follow the trail we reach Valbona Pass, the highest elevations of our today’s hike, from where we take a few moments to enjoy the amazing views of Valbona and Theth Valleys. Picnic lunch with an amazing view overlooking the picturesque Valbona Valley, wide Valbona riverbed that goes along the entire valley, mountainous surrounding areas, alpine landscape and various rock formations. From the Pass we start descending until we reach Theth village, where we stay overnight.

Accommodation: Hotel Gegest 3* or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi), Ascent: 680 m (3,182 ft ), Descent: 1090 m (3,576 ft)

DAY 7

Explore Theth village and the surroundings, transfer to Shkoder

Today we explore the picturesque Theth Valley, walking through the village we experience local life as locals continue their usual daily activity. On the way we visit Roman Catholic Church built in 1892, Lock-in tower the locals name it “Kulla”, which has a magnificent and unique history of past blued feuds, it is the only one that remained in the area with a strong connection to the “Kanun’ (Highlands Law Code, locally known as “Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit”, codified according to the customary laws in the 15^th century). Unused for its purpose for many years, we will be Lock-in tower guests for today. Following a marked path we visit Grunas Waterfall and continue back to the village. Transfer for about 2 hours to Shkoder.

Accommodation: Hotel Golden Palace 4* or similar

Meals included: breakfast

Distance: 8 km (5 mi), Ascent: 270 m (886 ft ), Descent: 170 m (558 ft)

DAY 8

End, Tirana

There will be an organized transfer from our hotel to Tirana International Airport.

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click below and request the detailed Hiking in Albania Self-Guided trip notes, with all the essential information about this trip.

Accommodation for this tour

Hotels (3nts), guesthouses (2nts), mountain huts (2nts).

Accommodation can be different than what you are used in your country. Considering that the Tour is organized in the remote regions of the Albanian Alps, you might expect that quality and service might be lower standards that those in the urban areas. We will spend 1 night in mountain hut, 1 night in guesthouse, 5 nights in 3-star en suite hotels. We have chosen this type of accommodation due to limited choices and most important for their location, character and traditional service. On this tour, we use small family-run hotels or guesthouse, except for the start and finish hotels, which are usually larger hotels with better service and quality. In the hiking and trekking regions they do not have elevators, air-conditioning or English speaking staff, but all family-run their business with a lot of traditional character and welcoming hospitality, clean, safe and simple accommodation.

If available, paying for a single supplement will only guaranty a room for single use.

Single supplement room from 180 EUR per person

If you request to book additional accommodation in Tirana before and after the tour, please let us know and we will make it possible. Please contact us if you want to extend your trip.

Due to limited possibilities in Sylbice and Doberdol about the accommodation, please read this Note.

Note: Single supplements are only available in hotels and guesthouses. In mountain huts single supplements are not available.

Essential Information

Is this trip for you?

Activity level: Moderate

This trip is focused on the north of Albania in the remote Albanian Alps region and includes hiking, culture, and sightseeing. On this trip, we enjoy six full-day hikes of different lengths. This trip is suitable for the average hiker who knows the mountain and is prepared for some physical activity. Our itinerary follows good trails, but in Theth and Valbona regions the terrain can be rocky and slippery in parts. You should be confident in your ability to deal with heights as we will encounter some steep ascents and descents. Day hikes can vary from 4-7 hours activity, including stops. To have access in these remote areas there will be some drives (transfers about 2.5 hours long) which are unavoidable in order to complete and have the best for this trip. Some of the areas are very remote, there will be two off road sections, and we will use local transport which in most cases will not have seat belts.

Luggage will be transferred by car and horses during the hikes, as a result hard suitcases are not suitable, only soft bags are useful

Visas and entry requirements

No visa is required for all visitors from EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand passport holder.

Health

There are no specific health risks for this tour

Meals

All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners included.

Two of these lunches are packed lunches.

During communism, isolated to the world Albania became a self-sustaining country. Albania has a Mediterranean climate which creates the perfect conditions of natural and healthy growing of vegetables and fruits in lush fertile valleys, nowadays they are still a subsistence culture which has not changed for many years. Influences from other countries and a combining of Mediterranean, Turkish and European tastes has made that food in Albania is quite varied. Dairy product like milk, cheese and yogurt are present in almost every meal, and all locally produced. Drinks are reasonable priced and traditional drinks Raki and ‘Scanderbeg’ Cognac are known for its unique flavor and aroma. Local made beers are inexpensive priced at about 1-2 Euro per bottle.

Vegetarians are in the right country, this tour offers a lot of vegetarian dishes with a lot of greens and vegetables, please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.

Vegan diet should expect a limited variety of food on this tour.

Meals are included in this tour and Tour Leader will recommend different local dishes, in most cases meals can be organized by the leader or if you have other preferences than that you will be welcomed to do so. Reminder to you that in some places it is necessary to order meals in advance and stay organized. Having an experience with hiking areas and especially with the rich and variety of local dishes provided for us while on tour, your leader is the right person who can suggests and if needed choose and order a delicious meal for you. Eating healthy is very important and we pay special attention to this.

Wather

Albania has a Mediterranean climate and it is characterized by warm, dry summer and mild, wet winter. Summer temperatures are on average 25ºC and humidity is low, with temperatures in July and August that can rise to 30 ºC and above. Albanian Alps in the north have an annual precipitation from more than 2,500 mm to less than 760 mm along the eastern border. Winter is with low temperatures and heavy snow In the Albanian Alps. A typically Mediterranean climate shows in the coastal lowlands, and the highlands have a continental climate. Weather varies markedly from north to south. Daytime maximum temperatures in the Albanian Alps can be, but the nights are almost always cool.