Hiking trip Albania – impressive destinations 2020

Arrival in Tirana – welcome to Albania! You will be picked up from your hotel or the airport and brought to your accommodation in the city center, where you will have free time to use for rest and relaxation. We recommend taking a walk on your own, to take in the environment of Skanderbeg Square. There are a number of sights nearby, including the Ottoman-era Ethem Bey mosque, the clock tower, and the new bazaar («Pazari i ri» in Albanian) where you can find locally made products for sale. Your hotel is within walking distance. Tirana is a colorful, urban city which strongly embodies Albania’s modern transformation.

After breakfast in Tirana we will begin the ascent of Gjallica Mountain in Kukes. Kukes is a city in the northeast corner of Albania, near Kosovo. This mountainous region is among the most beautiful, unspoiled areas in all of Albania. The road leads through the midlands, and further to the north we will travel over rugged mountain ranges.
This mountain massif forms a natural divider between regional climate zones – while the area east of this mountain range is having a cold, blustery winter, the area west of Kukes experiences a more Mediterranean climate. This hike lasts around 5 hours, and we will reach the summit in the afternoon. We will have a simple, yet bountiful picnic lunch during the hike.

At a height of 2486 meters above sea level, upon arriving at the summit we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the north Albanian Alps, the Fierza reservoir, and the entire region. Our hike will lead us partially through the forest, impressive in its pristine state.

Depending on the time of year, herds of sheep may be grazing in the pastures, or you could see snow on the summit even until late in the season. Our descent will be fairly easy, so we will get back to our starting point relatively quickly. Then we will spend the night in the region of Kukes.

While many destinations in Albania are becoming increasingly popular for tourists, the undeveloped region around the small town of Puka remains an insider’s secret! Mountainous, wild, and packed with natural resources, it is our idea of the ideal destination for an authentic travel experience in Albania. The Balkan lynx and many other types of wildlife take sanctuary in this region. After arriving we will take a tour, then break for lunch among the natural surroundings. In the afternoon we will hike to the summit of «Maje e Murges». From there we will enjoy a wonderful view of Lake Koman and the landscape in its most unspoiled form. After this hike we will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

After breakfast we will get an early start. At around 9:00 AM the ferry from Koman to Fierze departs, taking us into some incredible scenery, including the rocky, mountainous slopes surrounding Lake Koman. This trip, one of the highlights of Albania, takes about 3 hours.
Upon arriving in Fierze we will set out for Valbona. When we get there we will eat lunch and take a break to rest. In the afternoon we will take a short walking tour of Valbona. At certain times of year, the largest riverbed in the Valbona valley channels water from the glacier of the Jezerca massif. Dinner will be in a traditional restaurant, where a number of north Albanian dishes will be served.

Today’s journey from Valbona to Theth leads through the most famous hiking route in Albania. Despite this, or even because of this, the trip will nevertheless be rewarding for all hiking fans. Not only does North Albania offer wonderful opportunities for Alpine activities and hiking, the simple, traditional lives of its inhabitants will make an unforgettable impression on you. Even today many families in the Albanian mountains support themselves through farming and raising livestock. The (approx.) 6-hour hike takes us high up to the «Qafa e Valbones» – «neck of Valbona». The summit provides an amazing view of the valley and the mountainous landscape of North Albania. The road into the Theth valley goes partially through primitive forests and pastures. Once we arrive in Theth we will check into our guesthouse. After a break to rest, we will take a tour of the historic church and the old defense tower.

Trip info: This north Albanian tour is not offered in mid-summer. The best times to take longer hikes in the northern region are April until early July, and early September until the end of October. During these times the weather will be at its best for hiking, and nature’s variety will be in full display.

After breakfast we will be on our way to the blue eye of Theth. After a short hike we will reach this small mountain stream, which receives the flow of water from the glacier. We will be rewarded with this icy, crystal-clear water. On the way back we will be picked up and then continue to the north Albanian city of Shkoder, arriving around noon. We will check into our hotel and have lunch there. Meat dishes and salads are traditionally served in north Albania; this region offers both the bounty of nature and closeness to the sea. After a short break we will embark on a city tour through Shkoder’s beautiful old town, which displays Italian influence in more than just its architecture. We will make the trek to Rozafa castle in the afternoon. After a short drive and walk we will reach the last (but likely the first) Albanian fortress, which offers a beautiful view of Lake Skadar and the Albanian Alps.

After breakfast we will bid farewell of north Albania and return to Tirana. Our hiking trip will finish here around lunchtime. Of course, all travelers will be driven to their desired location in the Tirana region. It has been our privilege to bring you closer to your travel destination of Albania, and particularly the hiker’s paradise of the northern region.

We are pleased that you have immersed yourself in our hiking trip Albania. We thank you for your trust, and we look forward to seeing you again!