TREKKING - HIKING IN ALBANIA

TREKKING – HIKING IN ALBANIA

We invite you to explore Albania with the wildest and hidden treks.

The Albanian alps hold a part of history trapped in time. A long-distance trekking route shares the heritage of this land that was once closed off to the world. Trekking in Albanian alps leads through mountains scenery, with a diversity of breathtaking landscapes, varying from green valley to crystal-clear mountain lakes, waterfalls, river and remote picturesque mountains village, in which time seems to have stopped.

The trekking on the Albanian coast is unparalleled in its category, since this trekking along the rocky coast  is truly unique and wonderful. This trek takes us partly just above sea level and then also at an altitude of over 1400 m, partly on simple shepherd’s paths and then through completely pathless terrain, partly along rocky banks and then in the middle of the scrub typical of the Mediterranean scrub, without ever encountering an inhabited village or farm along the coast.

PEAKS OF THE BALKANS

Peaks of the Balkans, called as the hidden treasure, leads through one of the remote and wild mountainous region of Western Balkans.

By using shepherd paths and footways, the trail winds through high alpine mountains up to 2300 meters above the sea level and leads through mountains scenery, with a diversity of breathtaking landscapes, varying from green valley to crystal-clear mountain lakes, waterfalls, river and remote picturesque mountains village, in which time seems to have stopped. Hiking across the three mountains Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro makes it an authentic cultural experience and adventure.

TIRANA  INTERNATIONAL  AIRPORT – THETHI VALLEY

Albania Adventure guides will pick you up from Mother Teresa International Airport to continue our journey towards Thethi valley

Theth is called by foreign tourists “Last Paradise Europe”. The village is located north of the Shala Valley, between the Alps with a rare beauty. Natural resources of this area are linked together with the cultural and historical heritage of local residents, thus forming, the most important bases for the development of tourism.

Set among the peaks of the Shala mountains, Theth is isolated, and in times of snow, practically inaccessible. Despite this situation, using our 4WD vehicles modified for wild and difficult terrain we are lucky to explore Thethi valley along all the year.

Accommodation in a traditional guesthouse.

HIKING THETHI VALLEY – VALBONA VALLEY

On this day we leave Thethi to explore the next destination, Valbona valley. We depart from Thethi at an altitude about 850 m in the direction of Valbona neck, situated at an altitude 1812 m above sea level.

This hike follows the route of an ancient mule track.

At this point of our adventure we will enjoy remarkable scenery of both valleys.

Once reaching the upper part of Valbona valley – Rragam, we will be picked up by our 4×4 vehicles to continue our Off Road adventure along the valley.

Accommodation in a nice guesthouse.

Distance Theth – Valbone: 16.5 km

Elevation gain: 1339 m

Elevation loss: 1220 m

Referred to the name of this trekk, each day  we will hike a different peak.

The peak of this day is Valbona peak 1955 m.

HIKING VALBONE – CEREM

Cerem is a small village, largely abandoned, located approx. 17 kilometers northeast of Valbone. At the moment it is populated only during the summer time by shepherds. The village is empty during the winter time due to poor weather conditions. The road which connects the village with Valbone and the city of Bajram Curri is blocked by snow during the winters.

This itinerary involves the hiking from Valbone to Cerem village. To get to Cerem, we will cross a path through two amazing peaks of Dinaric alps, Kollata and Rosi peak. 

Accommodation in a guesthouse in Cerem.

Distance: 20 km

Elevation gain: 1771 m

Elevation loss: 1550 m

Referred to the name of this trek, each day  we will hike a different peak.

The peak of this day is Kollata peak 2535 m.

HIKING CEREM – DOBERDOL

This day involves a hike from Çerem to Doberdol, a remote shepherd’s village, populated only during the summer time by shepherds. From Çerem, the hike climbs up to the Montenegrin border, passes the beautiful summer shepherd’s village of Balqin, and continues through the Gashi valley (protected area) to the shepherd’s village of Dobërdol. The main attractions in Dobërdol are the glacial lakes of the Doberdol-Sylbices plateau.

Accommodation in Doberdol.

Referred to the name of this trek, each day  we will hike a different peak.

The peak of this day is Markorcit peak 2122 m.

Distance: 21 km

Elevation gain: 1278 m

Elevation loss: 750 m

HIKING Doberdol – Milishevc

This is a long trail which involves a hike from the remote shepherd’s village of Dobёrdol to another remote shepherd’s village in Kosovo (Milishevc). Milishevc has a good road connection with the city of Peja and more and more mountain huts in this village are being used for touristic purposes.

The terrain of this day differently from the others days is not so rough.

The special of this day is that when we reach the peak we will be at the same time in 3 states, Albania, Kosovo & Motenegro.

Accommodation in Milishevc

Distance: 20 km

Elevation gain: 1129 m

Elevation loss: 1200 m

The peak of this day is Three borders peak 2367 m.

HIKING Milishevc – Reke e Allages

This day hiking from Reka e Allages begins with an ascent to the Lumbardhi ridge, a vantage point which offers breathtaking views towards the surrounding mountains and Milishevc.

The hiking is from our guesthouse in Milishevc to Gryka e Rugoves. From Gryka e Rugoves with 4×4 vehicles we will go to our guesthouse in Rege e Allages.

Distance: 15 km

Elevation gain: 932 m

Elevation loss: 1696 m

The peak of this day is Guri i kuq peak 2512 m.

HIKING Rege e Allages – PEPAJ – DRELAJ – DUGAIVE – KUCISHTE

Starting the hiking from our guesthouse in direction of Hajla peak. The amaizing  view from the top is 360 degree, enjoying the Albania alps and Montenegro mountains.

We start the descent with one stop to Era Hajla cabin, very interesting spot where we can have many interesting information about wild animals of the Kosovo area.

Our itinerary pass along gravel road until to Drelaj village. Our 4×4 vehicles take us to our guesthouse in Kucisht.

Distance: 12 km

Elevation gain: 1140 m

Elevation loss: 847 m

The peak of this day is Hajla peak 2372 m.

HIKING KUCISHTE – BABINO POLJE

This day involves a transfer hike to Babino Polje, Montenegro. This is a relatively long hike which passes the border between Kosovo and Montenegro. It goes through beautiful mountain areas with many water sources, glacial lakes, and mountain passes featuring breathtaking views.

Accommodation in Babino Polje.

DAY 9

HIKING Babino Polje Montenegro – Hrid lake – Plav Montenegro

This is a long transfer hike from Babino Polje to Plav. The hike ascends up from beautiful Lake Hrid and finishes at the city of Plav. 

Accommodation in Plav.

DAY 10

HIKING Plav, Montenegro – Bor Peak – Vusanje, Montenegro

This is a long hike which starts at the city of Plav (968 m), climbs up to Bor Peak (2106 m), and finishes at the village of Vusanje (1022 m).

Accommodation in Vusanje.

DAY 11

HIKING VUSANJE – THETH

This is a relatively long hike which crosses the border between Montenegro and Albania. The path passes along the craggiest part of the Prokletje/Bjeshkёt e Namuna/Alpet Shqipёtare mountains. Almost the entire hike is surrounded by steep mountains with stunning views. This itinerary allows us a glance into the region’s past when it was a forbidden zone during the Communist era. A border military post, a bunker and the border crossing pyramid sign still remain by the crossing. The transfer hike finishes at the beautiful village of Theth with its traditional tower houses surrounded by steep mountains.

DAY 12

THETH – TIRANE

This day is going to be different as we are returning to civilization.

After being accommodated at a hotel near the center of Tirana, we will have the opportunity to be acquainted with Tirana city. We will stroll along broad boulevards, visit the monumental mosaic which decorates the national museum walls and symbolizes the glory of Albanian Independence. Our course diverts towards the Block area. It is the location of former Communist dictator’s villa-Enver Hoxha. During the period of his rule, the area was only reserved for government officials and the general public could not enter. After Hoxha’s death, the area was reopened and is now a popular hangout destination. This is the most vibrant area of the city, with many bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.

DEPARTURE DAY

Based on your flight schedule we depart in the direction of “Mother Theresa” International Airport.

Trekking Thethi & Valbona valley

Day 1

Airport – Thethi valley

You will meet our guides at Tirana International Airport. Afterwards will be headed towards the Alps, in north Albania, at Thethi valley.

Theth is called by foreign tourists “Last Paradise Europe”. The village is located north of the Shala Valley, between the Alps with a rare beauty.  Natural resources of this area are linked together with the cultural and historical heritage of local residents, thus forming, the most important bases for the development of tourism. Set among the peaks of the Shala mountains, Theth is isolated, and in times of snow, practically inaccessible. Despite this situation, using our 4WD vehicles modified for wild and difficult terrain we are lucky to explore Thethi valley along all the year. Accommodation in a warm guest house.     

Day 2

Trekking – Thethi valley

Starting from Okol 900 m altitude, the first destination of this day is Grunas waterfall, passing near the Grunas canyon one of the  after that the second destination is Blue Eye 630 m altitude, one of the rare beauties of Albania nature. Is formed by the Black River, which originates in the Black Peak and is formed by the erosion of rock by water that comes down from the mountain. Afternoon we will come back to the guest house. 

Day 3

Trekking – Arapi Peak 2217 m

We start our day at dawn as we are climbing Arapi top this day, at an altitude 2217 m above sea level and a T4 difficulty level hiking this is an adventure which lasts for nearly 9 hours.

Arapi Summit is one of the highest peaks rising at the bottom of Thethi Valley from where we are going to admire the spectacular view of the entire valley. We will enjoy our packed lunch at Peja Notch, 1900 m altitude, after having descended Arapi summit.

Our trek will last around 1 hour to reach Gropat e bukura 1780 m, the place where we will stay overnight with tents.

Our guides will prepare the dinner and to eat around the fire.

Day 4

Trekking – Gropat e bukura – Jezerca Summit 2694 m

 

After breakfast we get of the tents and start the hiking in direction of Jezerca summit, 2694 m, otherwise known as “The Queen of Albanian Alps”. This is going to be the trophy of our hiking adventure. At the Top of the mountain the panorama is unique. There is also a notebook found there in which everyone write down their names.

All the trek of this day lasts around 7 hours. In the evening we will be accommodated in the same guesthouse.

Day 5

Trekking – Thethi valley – Valbona valley

It will start from Thethi about 900 m to Valbona Pass 1812 m altitude, and at this point will have a wonderful view of both valleys, Valbona & Thethi valley.

This hike follows the route of an ancient mule track linking the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj. Wild landscapes of jagged summits, deep valleys, and forested slopes, the route connects two valleys, Theth and Valbona valley.

Day 6

Trekking – Rosi Peak 2524

Departure will be early in the morning towards the Peak of Ros, one of the most picturesque peaks of the Albanian Alps, with a height of 2524 m and a difficulty level T4 the walk will last about 9 hours. During this day we will do about 1550 m interchanges, where during the climbing we can admire even the permanent snow. Lunch will be eaten in the Neck of Ros about 2000 m above sea level, overlooking the valley of Valbona. At this altitude, you will see the villages on the border of Montenegro, but the most important is that you can enjoy the view of the Dinaric Alps Albanian peaks.

Accommodation in a guesthouse in Valbona.

DAY 7

Valbona valley – Tirana

We will drive for almost an hour towards Komani Lake. It is the point where we take the ferry and during the 3 hour-sailing we will be acquainted with Komani Lake, which closely resembles with Norwegian fjords. The panorama here is considered as a gem of Albanian natural beauties. We will have lunch at a restaurant along the way tasting the delicious and fresh local cuisine.

In the afternoon we reach Tirana city.

Accommodation in a hotel, in very good location.

Day 8

Our guide will accompany you at the Tirana International airport.