Now, tours for the Albanian Alps! If youre worried about lack of cell service for safety reasons, its always a good idea to bring a satellite device or download a map you can use Alltrails or Maps.me. The light will be amazing then and you should be able to capture some epic photos as I did . However, if you stay at the guesthouses I recommended, they do have reliable WIFI in the common area that you can stay connected. You can find the location for Grunas waterfall here. Continue walking a bit further into the plain and you will see a small camp where the warm-welcoming family of 5 awaits you. Transporting your car to and from Valbona via ferry is an unnecessary expense and is likely something youll want to avoid. It's mostly flat and well marked with two possible routes. Food: Food in Shkodra cost around 500 LEK whereas, in both Theth and Valbona, you can expect to pay 500 LEK for lunch and 1,000 for dinner. Where to Stay: Shpella Guesthouse Theth (Budget) - 17 USD/Night (Dorm) | 33 USD/Night (Twin Room with Private Bathroom). 102, dated 15.01.1996, with an area of . (dont forget to also check out Grunas Canyon which is located just around the corner). There are a few awesome viewpoints along the way so be sure to keep an eye out for one. Save this page on Pinterest for later and don't forget to follow us on Pinterest. Albanian alps hiking holiday. Make sure you still have the tickets you bought earlier with you. From your guesthouse, a bus will come and pick you up at 10:30 AM (sometimes a bit earlier) and they will drive you to Fierze, a town where you will have to catch the ferry across the Komani Lake. Thanks for your support & happy adventuring! If you do not fancy walking for 1.5 km, you can also rent a bike from your hostel/hotel and ride to Rozafa Castle as well. As youre walking in the forested section youll want to take a left to reach Xhema Lake. If you are looking for a good place to buy some supplies before the hike, SPAR Supermarket located at the end of G'juhadol Street is a great place to start. Depending on where your accommodation is, you might have to walk further along the road for another 45 minutes to get to the end of Valbona. If youre visiting the alps in summer you dont need much! The Alps were the thing that *caught my eye* about Albania. Only then will you be able to find all the good trails! By the way, if you think temperature will be cooler because of the altitude, youre unfortunately wrong. They are also known by the Serbian name Prokletije. You can obviously do this on a much cheaper or more expensive budget depending on your travel style, however generally this is what people spend. This part of the journey will cost 800 LEK and takes around 2 hours before you arrive in Koman where you will have to get another bus back to Shkodra. Once you reach the end of the lake youll find the Shala River which has crystal clear blue water originating from Theth. At Shpella Guesthouse, every evening, the mother of the owner of the guesthouse will cook a large feast where everyone will gather around a large table and eat together. Shpella Guesthouse is also located close to all the side trips we will be doing today and tomorrow so that is another reason to stay in the outer rim of Theth rather than at the center. It takes around 3.5 hours to reach Shkoder from Theth. 2 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary For Albania, The Albanian Alps Hiking Trails and Itinerary Map. Im now focused on travelling the world and seeing everything our beautiful home has to offer. Phone: purchase a local SIM card from Vodafone the plans are cheap and they include lots of data, however international minutes are typically not available. The route - an old mule trail - winds through the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps) and over the Valbona Pass, a landscape of rocky peaks and deep ravines shared between Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. 1 night in Valbona and 2 nights in Theth. Jezerca Guesthouse that I recommended is located right at the end of Valbona so you will have to walk for another 45 minutes to get there. Here are: Albanian Riviera, a place you will find hidden beaches pristine coastline, and one of the best places to see the sunset in Albania. Room types may vary. Right around the same area as Kole Idromeno street, be sure to check out St Stephen's Catholic Cathedral, Ebu Bekr Mosque, and Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity as well while you are there. Theres a beautiful trail called Maja Rosit and I highly recommend completing this trek. Hiking The Spectacular Theth To Valbona Trail In The Albanian Alps Do not worry, once you see the road, you will want to continue on. Today is going to be a big day and probably one of the reasons why you are visiting the Albanian Alps in the first place. I always recommend Wanderers Hostel as the #1 place to stay in Shkoder (especially for backpackers) because they help plan your trip and store extra luggage for you. If you find a nice group of friends to do the hike with, go with whichever the group chooses. Yum! If you stay at the Wanderers Hostel the staff will book transportation for you. The stretch of Komani Lake that leads to the Shala River somehow has even bigger and more scenic mountains and greener water. Hotel Goldene Traube. ^Book in advance though. Better prepare for the cold. Hence, this mountain range is also called the Albanian Alps, Bjeshket e Nemuna (in Albanian) as well as the Accursed Mountains. Firstly, the Albanian Alps are simply breathtaking. This is why I always carry a tripod! NOTE if youre taking your car to Valbona, book your ferry ticket in advance. Yup, the only way to get from one park to the next is via hiking! You can leave your luggage at your accommodation in Shkodra for a fee and you can come and pick it later when you have completed the hike. Theth is a charming mountain village which is home to great hiking trails, gorgeous mountains, and the stunning Theth River. Theth to Valbona amazing road view The best way to reach Theth from the city of Shkoder is by mini-bus or jeep. Note that during the hike youll pass by Grunas waterfall and Grunas canyon which are totally worth a detour to go see. The mini bus back to Shkoder usually leaves around 11 from the village centre. Definitely pack a pair of pants and, if you have them, bring waterproof pants too. If you want snacks or a little extra security food, buy and bring groceries from Shkoder. To find a cheap flight to Tirana, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one. To be honest, Im recommending you leave your car back in Shkoder for a number of reasons: The only time Id recommend bringing a car to the Albanian Alps is if your trip falls under 1 of the 2 categories: Anyways, the way youd access the parks in the Albanian Alps would follow the same route as the car-less access route I mentioned above, however youd replace the minibus sections with your own car. The hostel fills up quickly. The bus journey from Valbona to Fierze is about an hour and you should arrive in time for the 1 PM ferry to Koman. In my hiking In Albania guide, I will show you where to go. You can refill your water from the Blue Eye (all the natural water sources in Theth are drinkable). Theth National Park is the most well known and one of the most beautiful National Parks in Albania. Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. When it comes to finding hiking trails for the alps online, youre not gonna find anything. With a bike, you can also go further and check out the old Mesi Ottoman Bridge to the north of the city or ride along the Lake Skadar to Zogaj and back. Albania has relatively little in the way of high-end accommodation communist-era behemoth hotels are still prevalent but things are changing. There are no ATMs once you reach the mountains and no one accepts card payment. My name is Pete R., and I am an avid solo traveler, travel blogger, and photographer of over 10 years and I'm here to help you make your trip come true. Bring sunscreen or wear long sleeves to protect your skin from the intense Balkan sun. When I was in Valbona there was a popup market here (approximately) and apparently theres a little market in Theth here. Secondly, Albania and hiking the Alps is very affordable. If you hike in summer, start early! Where to Stay: The Wanderers Hostel (Budget) - 9 USD/Night (Dorm) | Amberyellowbnb (Mid-Range) - 44 USD/Night (Superior Double Room). Get to know me more here! A: Super easy! Budget an extra night on your Albanian Alps itinerary to visit the. But, you get the point. This. Many of the locals trails can be quite challenging and dangerous and should only be attempted with a guide or local who knows the terrain. If you are looking to travel from Saranda to Shkodra, you can easily do it in one day without a stopover in Tirana. Aside from the guesthouses you may be lucky enough to find a few popup fruit stands here and there, but compared to the rest of Albania the produce at these places will be limited and expensive. You can book a stay with the Wanderers Hostel via Hostelworld or Booking.com. Congratulations! My suggestion is to go whichever way you find yourself going. In the Albanian Alps, you will be hiking on several steep trails and it can be challenging and slippery especially when it rains. Warm & welcoming people, yummy food, beautiful beaches, cheap everything. The minibus will take you to the Komani ferry port early in the morning where youll then catch a 1.5hr scenic ferry ride to Fierza. While one of Albania's larger cities, it maintains a small town vibe in the historic . Albania's brain drain: why so many young people are leaving and how to Day 5: Travel back to Shkodra and spend the night there. The Shala River is connected to Komani Lake, BUT its even more beautiful. If youre looking to do more hiking in the Albanian Alps more than just the popular hike that goes between Theth and Valbona, that is Id recommend spending more time in Valbona. You have finally completed the epic Theth-Valbona hike in the Albanian Alps! You can also see all my Europe related articles here: For more of my travel guides like this, visit my. The Albanian Alps are 100% the highlight natural feature of Albania and the #1 bucket list destination in the country. Cleanliness. Here Is Where To Go Hiking In Albania | Chasing the Donkey Once you are done with the preparation, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Most visitors follow the dirt road which leads left across the bridge in Theth and hugs the valley for quite a way. Im Taylor the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker. In fact, I spent 3 days hiking solo in the alps and felt perfectly safe. **previously you had to take a 44 vehicle into Theth recently the road has been paved and you can now drive a regular vehicle to the park.**. Stay with highlanders in stunning Albanian Alps Valleys. The views here are (obviously) immaculate and if you hike in July youll find loads of wildflowers. When it is crowded up there, people have the habit of trying to squeeze themselves in to get that epic view of the Valbona valley, and so watch your step and watch out for other people's swinging backpack. Bring snacks! For more detail and tips from our experts read on in our Albanian Alps guide. The park lies about 22 km from the alpine city of Bajram Curri. The waterfall is only a quick walk from the village of Theth and its definitely worth a visit. On day 1 in the Alps youll want to catch the early mini bus from Shkoder to the Komani Lake ferry port. You can check out. The full nine yards. The Wanderers Hostel employees and the hostel itself are LOVELY. My bus came and picked me up at my hostel at around 7:20 AM so be sure to wake up early. If you organize your trip with your hostel/hotel in Shkodra, the bus should come pick you up and your accommodation at around 7:20 AM. First, you will have to get to Tirana by catching one of the many buses bound for Tirana. Here is. It should be another 2 hours before you arrive back in Theth. There are plenty of great hiking trails in the alps that range from quick day hikes to multi-day treks (cue Peaks of the Balkans). 10 Things to do in Shkoder + 6 Day Shkoder/Alps Itinerary 2 Week Albania Itinerary - Alps, Riviera & UNESCO - Moon & Honey Travel Outdoor adventure enthusiast and environmental devotee. Location and relief Annotated image of the area from the air The Accursed Mountains, the southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps, stretch more than 60 kilometres (40 mi) from Lake Skadar along the Montenegrin-Albanian border in the southwest to Kosovo in the northeast. So, I thought itd be best to start this post out with a quick FAQ section. I had cell service the entire trek from Valbona to Theth, however when I hiked to Maja Rosit in Valbona I didnt have any service. Sign up for my newsletter and stay up-to-date with my latest adventures, gear guides, and eco-resources!Taylor . Summer is also a nice time of year to visit if youre okay with high temperatures and more people around. There are beach huts, restaurants and bars, as well as river hiking opportunities here. We are tackling the famous Theth-Valbona hike that will take you through some of the most stunning trails in the area. The mountain peaks here are absolutely WILD and the valley the little village sits in Absolutely stunning. When you arrive at your guesthouse you can grab some food, then take off and walk to Xhema Lake & the Old Mill. Without further ado, let's begin with the Theth-Valbona hiking trails and itinerary map: Looking for a complete itinerary to Albania?2 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary For Albania. The trail is approximately 17kms with around 800m of elevation gain and the views along the way are exceptional. I find the hiking trails in the Albanian Alps to be quite long, however the terrain is easily navigable. Me and my friend Lindsay got lost quite a few times before we found ourselves on the right track. Hiking Time: 0 The biggest bucket list hike and the #1 thing to do in the Albanian Alps is hike between Valbona and Theth. Youre visiting Valbona for an extended period of time. Due to its popularity, you can expect many more people doing this hike than the one I recommended the day before. From Shkodra, you will arrive too late to catch any bus out so you will likely have to stay overnight and then catch a bus the next day. Breakfasts are included in the accommodations recommended here so for 5 days, you will spend around 4,000 LEK for food. Transportation: to enter the country you can find 1 international airport in Tirana, 1 port in Saranda (daily ferry arrivals/departures to Corfu, Greece), and a bus line from Montenegro. They are both pretty much the same. Very good. This is time consuming and costly. A national park of 8,000 hectares, it is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Albania. Personally, I preferred doing small hikes first before doing larger ones and going fast in the morning when I have the most energy, and so going from Theth to Valbona is the perfect fit for me. Day 2: Travel from Shkodra to Theth and Hike to Denelle in Theth, When is the Best Time to Hike the Albanian Alps, How to Get to Theth and Valbona Trailhead, How Many Days to Spend Hiking in the Albanian Alps, How Much Money Do I Need for the Albanian Alps, What To Pack for Theth-Valbona Hike in the Albanian Alps, and don't forget to follow us on Pinterest. Instead of focusing on logistics and planning, booking a tour allows you to just experience the fun stuff without the worry! How about you see it for yourself with my Albania travel video? Its just a few kilometres walk depending where your guesthouse is followed up by a quick jaunt through the woods. Full view. In order to hike the Albanian Alps, you will first have to make your way to Shkodra, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans. Difficulty: No hiking required today The city has a lively atmosphere and the CUTEST city centre I've seen in all of Albania. But mountains arent the only beautiful natural feature youll find in Albania. If you are traveling in Albania for only 2 weeks or less, I would recommend you get the 14-days validity Vodafone Tourist sim that gives you 10 GB of data and 500 mins of calls for 1300 LEK. Ill explain costs for accommodations, transportation, etc later in this post, however on average people spend around 80-100 euros for 3 nights (incl. Your Albanian Alps adventures will always start in Albanias ancient city, Shkoder. You can buy an eSIM prior to your arrival and you are good to go. The Shala River is known as the Thailand of Albania. To be honest I dont even know how to start talking about this place because it actually left me speechless. The viewpoint is about halfway into the 3-hours hike so you are still a long way until you arrive in Denelle. A: Nope! Along the trail, you will find quite a few cafes that you can stop and take a break at. It is an easy stroll from here on out but it is still quite a long way to go until you arrive in Valbona. Tips: To stay connected with your loved ones at home, be sure to have a VPN service like NordVPN installed before traveling so that you can bypass whatever local Internet censorship you might run into while in Albania. Albanian Alps: Why You Need To Go There NOW - Coconut Compass I was hiking in July and we were stuck in Theth for 3 days due to heavy rainfall. If you want to discover more of the Shala River (which I totally think you should! The Albanian Alps are a truly spectacular destination in the Balkans. Of course there are waaaay more than 10 things to do in the Albanian Alps, however the following 10 things are bucket-list worthy and easy to access! The total price you be around 3,400 LEK. If you have a car you can drive much closer to the actual Blue Eye trailhead which cuts out a TON of distance youd otherwise have to hike. Feel free to use this breakdown as a guide but keep in mind that this is a minimum value (staying in a dorm, eating cheap, etc.) Start early! Thankfully, you can book the accommodation on Booking.com now as they recently got a reliable internet connection in both places. On day 3 youre hiking to Montenegro! Once you arrive in Theth, you can ask your driver to drop you off at your accommodation so you do not have to walk. Travel Insurance: ALWAYS purchase reliable insurance prior to your trip. Understand The area covers parts of Shkodr and Tropoja districts in Northern Albania. Thethi | Discover The Albanian Alps | Albania Visit You wont come up short by finishing your hike at the pass. For this travel guide, I will recommend you complete 2 weeks backpacking itinerary for Albania from Tirana to the Albanian Riviera to the Albanian Alps. If you want to take a dip, you can find less crowded, smaller pools and falls beneath the highest viewing point. If you want any information about hiking in Albania past the touristy hikes, youll have to ask the locals. From Theth to Valbona Pass, it is a 3-hours steep climb straight-up which is perfect for those who like to do the hard part first when you have the energy and relax for the rest of the trail. All in all, you will be spending 1200 LEK for your Theth to Valbona journey, 2,200 LEK for your Valbona back to Shkodra journey and you arrive back in Shkodra by 6 PM. For only 2 euros, you can get yourself a glass of their delicious ice coffee, a beer or raki if you need a shot of that to wake you up . Here is a breakdown of the 4-days itinerary in the Albanian Alps: Day 1: Prepare for the hike in Shkodra and spend the night there. After you are done taking photos, make your way down the same way. Difficulty: Hard - Steep and Long Trail Why? After an epic feast, be sure to go out into the night and check out the night sky before you end the day. Walking in the Albanian Alps - Responsible Travel Keep in mind that you might have to change airports if you are switching from a regular carrier to a low-cost carrier in Istanbul. Inspiring a life of outdoor adventure, eco-mindedness, natural living & holistic wellness. You most likely wont begin your Albanian Alps adventures from Tirana, however if you do you can check out this post for all my Tirana-based activity and accommodation recommendations. I didnt know much about Albania when I spontaneously booked my flight to go there, however the beautiful mountains in the north of the country were enough to make me swoon. The Unspoiled Albanian Alps - Into Albania I got so confused when I was in Shkodra planning the trip as there was a lot of mixed information out there. After a 3 hours journey from Shkodra, you should arrive in Theth by 11 AM which should give you ample time to do some hikes before the sunset. DAY: TIRANA 2. Language: Albanian, however you can get by with English google translate recommended for smaller cities/villages. If you want to keep with the Hostel vibe, but Wanderers is full, check out Shkodra Backpackers. "I can not believe I am in Albania" is a sentence I can't stop saying as I hiked along the popular Theth-Valbone hiking trail in the middle of the Albanian Alps. The Albanian Alps though Wow. Fushe Thethi just east of Shpella Guesthouse, more detail on what to expect along the trail below, detail 5 days hiking itinerary in the Albanian Alps below, Herschel Supply's Barlow Trail Collection Backpack, a complete guide on things to do in Tirana, a complete 5-days itinerary and travel guide on backpacking the Albanian Riviera, Adoralbania, the Albanian Adventure Travel Video, What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List, What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List. Trekking in unknown territory, planning multiple days in the alps, and spending extended time in nature can be intimating. A: Although travelling to the Alps is more expensive than travelling elsewhere in Albania, its dirt cheap compared to visiting mountainous regions in other countries. Long are the days when you have to scramble your way to find a local sim card at an airport when you arrive. For hiking out-of-season, I would recommend against it as most of the high passes in the Albanian Alps will likely be closed off due to snowfall, and the ferry service across Komani Lake, one of the transportation you will have to rely on, only runs from mid-April to early November. OH they also serve the yummiest (included) breakfast. You can book your tickets for the Komani Lake ferry here. Another beautiful Bavarian town ruined by the weather during my stay. Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. The Grunas waterfall (along with the Blue Eye of Theth) is one of those must see things in the alps. A: Ill get into all the nitty gritty details for how to plan a trip to the Albanian Alps in this post. Special for our readers, get 5% off on your next travel insurance purchase (for new users). August 22, 2022 Shkoder is known as Albania's ancient city and it's the culture capital of the country. Theres a curtain at the Blue Eye where you can change into a bathing suit. The final ascent to the waterfall is pretty steep, however its short-lived and this final steep section leads to the best place to view the waterfall from. After taking a break at the Blue Eye, you can start heading back the same way to Theth. It is just another 5 minutes side trip and so I would recommend you visit Grunas Waterfall first and then the trail should merge back to the Blue Eye trail. After you arrive at your guesthouse, freshen up, eat dinner, and be sure to let your guesthouse know that you are going on the 10:30 AM bus the next day. What to do when you see a bear - BBC Future Id love to explain what that something is, but its more of a feeling and something that cant be put into words. My words are not convincing you about traveling to Albania? Looking for a complete itinerary to Albania? Essentially, when youre in the alps youll need to stay at a guesthouse or at a campsite. The journey from Saranda to Tirana will take 5 hours and cost 1300 LEK and the journey from Tirana to Shkodra will take another 2 hours and cost 300 LEK. This is a long trek, especially if you plan to stop at the waterfall and canyon. Here are: Gjirokaster, the stone city of a thousand steps is another excellent UNESCO heritage site waiting for you to explore. Luckily for you, Im gonna break down all those options now. Gashi River has been declared as a protected area ' Strict Nature Reserve ' (category I) by DCM No. After doing the hike myself, I can totally say that it doesn't matter. Hotels in Theth - Welcome to Albanian Alps Valbona is especially beautiful in the morning and so if you sleep in the day before, be sure to wake up early and walk around the town at sunrise before your departure. For reference heres the Alltrails map for this trail. The waterfall is popular so Id recommend hiking to it early in the morning before crowds show up. If youre looking for a headache-free way to plan your trip to the Albanian Alps, book a stay with the Wanderers Hostel in Shkoder OR book an all-inclusive Albanian Alps tour. Youll find a few cute guesthouses along this stretch of Komani Lake as well as incredible hiking trails. When one thinks of Albania as a travel destination, it is hard to imagine that a place like the Albanian Alps existed. Taylor. If you think this view is nice, I would recommend you go up first and come back down to this same spot on your way down a few hours before the sunset. THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Albanian Alps, Theth - Tripadvisor To get to the mountainous national parks of northern Albania, you'll have to pass through the city of Shkoder. The trail at the beginning is mostly exposed but 30 minutes in and you should be in a forest which should help you with the heat. They will drop you off at Sheshi Demonkracia roundabout located in the city center so you should have no trouble walking to your hostel/hotel. Located at 700 meters above sea level in the heart of Thethi National Park, it is one of the most pristine areas in the north. At the port, there will be several buses waiting for you. This means travel bloggers (like me) havent completely infiltrated and exploited all the secret beauty that exists within the alps Yet. Along both sides of the road, you will see a ton of breathtaking mountains, lush green forest, and cute little local farmhouses that should keep you occupied until you arrive at your guesthouse.
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