Terms of Service apply. Here are: Gjirokaster, the stone city of a thousand steps is another excellent UNESCO heritage site waiting for you to explore. Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Coburg. Looking up from Theth, it is hard to imagine that this place existed high up in the middle of all those beautiful peaks. 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. There are 13 buses running every day between the 2 cities from 7 AM to 5 PM, running almost every hour. 13 Best Winter Guesthouses in the Albanian Alps | Sondor Travel Depending on which accommodation you are staying, the baggage storage fee can range from free to around 1 EUR per day. Available for both mobile and PC. The Shala River is connected to Komani Lake, BUT its even more beautiful. Bears are returning to the Alps and other regions, raising the risk of bear attacks - but there is decades of evidence of how to keep safe in bear territory. I hiked from Valbone (or Valbona) to Theth. 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. Which Way to Hike: Theth to Valbona or Valbona to Theth? Save this page on Pinterest for later and don't forget to follow us on Pinterest. Bring sunscreen or wear long sleeves to protect your skin from the intense Balkan sun. About. Day 5 youre hiking to the Blue Eye of Theth. I am also an advocate for the environment and do as much as I can to take care of our planet. For reference heres the Alltrails map for this trail. Besides meals from the guesthouses you wont be able to purchase much food once you arrive in the alps. It is also a hiking haven where you will find a ton of hiking trails, short and long for you to escape into the wilderness. The Albanian Alps is located in the Northern part of Albania bordering Kosovo and Montenegro. Once you are done taking photos and chilling out at the pass, you can continue down the mountain and through the valley to Valbona. Private rooms at hostels and cheaper hotels will be around 20-30 euros per night. It is part of the Tropoja municipality. 1 night in Valbona and 2 nights in Theth. 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. A hike I would recommend you do is the Denelle Trail which will take you up a mountain allowing you to see the other side of the valley. Copyright 2023 The Holistic Backpacker | All Rights Reserved, Recommended itinerary for the Albanian Alps, 18 Helpful Tips You Should Know BEFORE Travelling Albania, Backpackers Guide to the Best Hostels in Albania, 10 Reasons to Visit the Shala River aka the Thailand of Albania, 10 Reasons You Need to Visit the Shala River, multi-day trek through the Peaks of the Balkans, 18 Helpful Albania Travel Tips You Should Know BEFORE Visiting, 10 Things to do in Shkoder + 6 Day Shkoder/Alps Itinerary, 2 Day Guide to Vlora: Explore the Albanian Riviera, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kpo_OUpQ6M&t=14s. Where to Stay in the Albanian Alps Shkodra Tours & Activities 5-Days Albanian Alps Hiking Itinerary Day 1: Prepare for the Hike in Shkodra Day 2: Travel from Shkodra to Theth and Hike to Denelle in Theth Day 3: Hike to the Blue Eye in Theth Day 4: Hike from Theth to Valbona Day 5: Travel from Valbona to Shkodra Driving is chaotic, Id recommend sticking to buses. This. Albania has relatively little in the way of high-end accommodation communist-era behemoth hotels are still prevalent but things are changing. Have more questions about the Albanian Alps? If you feel more comfortable travelling and hiking with a guide though, I have some tour/guiding options linked here. However, we think it's easier to do so from Montenegro, provided that you have a car. The bus cost is 10 euros. Good to know. This last leg of your journey will cost you another 700 LEK. DAY: TIRANA BERAT ZVERNEC ISLAND DHERMI Where To Stay In Dhermi: My TOP TIPS for Accommodation 3. The Albanian Alps are a truly spectacular destination in the Balkans. Choosing where to stay in the Albanian Alps can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many options. TIP all the water sources in Valbona Valley are drinkable with the exception of Xhema Lake For obvious reasons. The Blue Eye of Theth is fed by melting snow which gives it an icy cold temperature and a vibrant blue/green colour. The hiking season peaks in August (there is a chance there will be a Jazz Festival in Theth during August as well), and so if you want to avoid the crowds, go for May - June or September instead. If youre looking to spend a night (or two) on the Shala River, I recommend staying at Riverside Komani Lake or Bee Eco Guesthouse. It would be easy to stay at a guest house on the lake for a week, spending your mornings on bicycle and comparing Albanian and Montenegrin cuisine, afternoons identifying the 39 snail species tootling the sandy shallows, and evenings on your terrace with a pair of birdwatching binoculars, a block of feta, fresh bread, and a bottle of wine . If you want to minimize cost, you can find a way to Turkey and then from there, you can fly with Pegasus Low-Cost Airline to Tirana. Travel to Albania - What you need to know before your trip! Albania is one of the last undiscovered countries in Europe. Gashi River has been declared as a protected area ' Strict Nature Reserve ' (category I) by DCM No. Youll have to wait until you are physically in the alps in order to talk to the locals who know about the trails in the area. Albania's brain drain: why so many young people are leaving and how to The rugged peaks, vibrant wildflowers, and crystal clear waterfalls are enough to ignite any travellers sense of adventure. From the stunning peaks of the Albanian Alps to the pristine beaches of the Albanian Riviera, we are going to uncover one of the best hidden gems left in Europe together. You can summit Maja Rosit, however I opted not to because the daytime temperatures were absolutely brutal. Id love to explain what that something is, but its more of a feeling and something that cant be put into words. 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. You can buy an eSIM prior to your arrival and you are good to go. 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. Ill be posting a complete trail guide for Maja Rosit (soon) however for now you can refer to this Alltrails map. The hostel fills up quickly. There is also plenty to do in and around the city. Ask in the comment section below! The Blue Eye of Theth is one of the 2 biggest bucket list attractions in the Albanian Alps. One of the most popular hiking trails in the Albanian Alps is the Theth-Valbona trail, which will take you from Theth to Valbona mountain towns or vice versa via the Valbona Pass that overlooks both valleys. How to Get to Theth from Shkoder? From the other side of the river bed, the trail is a 3-hours straight-up hike through a thick forest where you will able to occasionally take a break and admire the view of Theth and all the surrounding valleys from above. In order to get to the Albanian Alps, you will have to get to Shkodra, the main city hub before you embark on the mountain. Hiking Time: 5 hours The Unspoiled Albanian Alps - Into Albania . Theres a curtain at the Blue Eye where you can change into a bathing suit. Also, do not forget to look back once you are about to approach Valbona Pass. After you get on the ferry, it is another 2-hours journey across the Komani Lake. Currency: Albanian LEK (aka ALL). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. You will receive the tickets for trips from Valbona to Fierze (bus), Fierze to Koman (ferry), Koman back to Shkodra (bus) where you can give to the driver later. The mountain peaks here are absolutely WILD and the valley the little village sits in Absolutely stunning. 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. Hotel Goldene Traube. Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Shkodra, Albania! If youre visiting during off season (spring & fall) itd be wise to bring everything listed above in addition to extra layers. Secondly, Albania and hiking the Alps is very affordable. My bus came and picked me up at my hostel at around 7:20 AM so be sure to wake up early. The trailhead doesn't begin until you are in Theth which is still quite far away from Shkodra. 102, dated 15.01.1996, with an area of . After 3 hours of climbing, you should arrive at Valbona Pass where you can continue to climb up further to an actually viewpoint to get that epic panorama shot. The guesthouses are run by locals and they cook yummy, traditional food. 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. When I was there, we were stuck at Shpella Guesthouse for 3 days due to heavy rainfall and I met some really awesome people that we ended up hiking together after the rain stopped. Hiking Time: 7 hours There are two hikes you must do while visiting Theth. In fact, I spent 3 days hiking solo in the alps and felt perfectly safe. Walking in the Albanian Alps - Responsible Travel Since both are generally the same, within this guide, I will stick to the Theth to Valbona route but if you decided to do the other way around, everything I write here will still apply to you and so stick around to the end. The journey will take 3 hours and cost around 1,200 LEK (10 EUR). If you want to keep with the Hostel vibe, but Wanderers is full, check out Shkodra Backpackers. and so be sure to have more money than you need just in case. Similar for how youd get to Theth, youll first need to book a minibus to get to Valbona. 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. The mountains surrounding the area of Northern Albania almost resemble those of the Rockies or the Italian Alps. From Theth to Valbona, you will have to hike up to the Valbona Pass for 3 hours and down to Valbona in 4 hours. Im Taylor the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker. The mountain view already makes you excited to leave. Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Prokletije National Park, Montenegro - Moon & Honey Travel If you stick to the main trails in the alps though youll be surrounded by people. It can get quite confusing wrapping your head around all the transportation required to bring you to the Albanian Alps and back but do not sweat, I'm here to break the entire trip down into an easy-to-understand step-by-step guide: Tips: You will be traveling on one bus from Shkodra to Theth and one ferry and 2 buses from Valbona back to Shkodra. Plav to Vusanje (Montenegro) Vusanje to Theth (Montenegro and Albania). I was hiking in July and we were stuck in Theth for 3 days due to heavy rainfall. It is only a 15-minutes walk from one another but the view is so much better in Fushe Thethi hence why I recommend Shpella Guesthouse. If youre visiting the alps in summer you dont need much! Otherwise named Bjeshkt e Namuna (The Accursed Mountains) due to the exceptionally harsh weather that surrounds them, for the majority of folks, these peaks represent the meeting point of myth and reality. I spent 1.5 months travelling in Albania and I can confidently say I've seen all the country's highlights. There are 2 areas in Theth, the town center (if I could call it a town) and Fushe Thethi in the outer rim of the town where Shpella Guesthouse is located. Be very carefully here as the trail is narrow and covered in slippery gravel. This is time consuming and costly. September 2, 2022 Planning a trip to Albania? 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. Special for our readers, get 5% off on your next travel insurance purchase (for new users). Plus, driving onto the ferry is a MADHOUSE. Like obviously dont just camp on the side of the road or on someones property be discreet. The Wanderers Hostel employees and the hostel itself are LOVELY. I and a couple of friends decided to extend our trip so that we can outstay the rain, but some had to go back as they didn't have the time, and so if you are determined to hike the Albanian Alps, be sure to leave some wiggle room in case the weather goes bad. You have finally completed the epic Theth-Valbona hike in the Albanian Alps! Why? 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. From the 5-days itinerary above, we can calculate the minimum amount of money you can expect to spend in the Albanian Alps as follows: Tips: There is no ATM in Theth and Valbona so be sure to take out enough cash in Shkodra before you start your journey. Although more challenging, its much more scenic than the hike between the 2 national parks. Once I secured a few travel buddies, we'd often split a private room and save even more money. Turn every which way and you've got yourself a postcard picture. Interested in discovering more of Albanias nature? Ask the locals for trail information. The only thing to worry about is the terrain in the Albanian Alps. If you want to visit both national parks you HAVE to hike. After the hike, you will have the evening to freshen up, have an amazing dinner at Shpella Guesthouse, and socialize with the people at the guesthouse. It should be another 2 hours before you arrive back in Theth. Not many people visit the alps during winter because activity options are limited, theres a mass amount of snow, and the temperatures are freezing. If you click these links and make a purchase youre supporting The Holistic Backpacker. Where to stay when you travel to Albania . Seriously, Id never want to drive on the road leading to the ferry (poor road) or at the loading station. You can refill your water from the Blue Eye (all the natural water sources in Theth are drinkable). Once you arrive in Theth, you can ask your driver to drop you off at your accommodation so you do not have to walk. The two distinctly flimsy craft that conduct people through the mountains along the vast man-made Lake Koman - a 1970s electrification pet project of Albania's former dictator Enver Hoxha - barely look seaworthy. There are TONS of great hiking trails in Valbona. About 46,460 Albanians left the country in 2022. It is quite crowded for my liking though but it was still quite a nice view to see. . The mini bus back to Shkoder usually leaves around 11 from the village centre. Taylor. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. That said, if you want to choose the most optimal ways for you, there are a few things to consider: One, there are more hiking trails to do in Theth and so if you are the type of hikers who prefer doing small hikes before doing a longer hike, go from Theth to Valbona. See the ruins of a castle, visit churches and mosques, and hike, bike, or ride along Lake Shkodr. This means travel bloggers (like me) havent completely infiltrated and exploited all the secret beauty that exists within the alps Yet. A: Many people breeze in and out of the Alps in a couple nights, however if youre a hiker youll want to stay longer. The mountains themselves extend into neighboring Kosovo and Montenegro. From within Europe, you can go with low-cost airlines like WizzAir or RyanAir to get you to Tirana. I went hiking in the Albanian Alps in July and temperatures still reached 35 degrees (at elevation) during the day. From the trailhead, it is a 3-hours steep climb that goes straight-up to Valbona Pass, the highest point of the trail. After 2 hours on the ferry, you should arrive at the port in Koman around 4 PM. THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Albanian Alps, Theth - Tripadvisor It's possible to access Prokletije National Park from both Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Albania is a real backpackers paradise. A: Nope! If you hike, bring lots of food. 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. For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: Albania, a country once isolated, now opened up to travelers to uncover the beauty that has been hidden for a century. This trail starts off in the village of Valbona and follows a path that winds through forest, alpine meadows, and mountain passes. Stay with highlanders in stunning Albanian Alps Valleys. Albanian Alps: Why You Need To Go There NOW - Coconut Compass They will prepare around 5 - 6 local dishes where you can eat as much as you want. View all. An added bonus of booking a stay with Wanderers is that theyll store your extra luggage while youre out hiking! Definitely pack a pair of pants and, if you have them, bring waterproof pants too. 2 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary For Albania, The Albanian Alps Hiking Trails and Itinerary Map. On day 4 youll hike from Valbona to Theth which takes anywhere from 4-9 hours (depending on experience, hiking abilities, and fitness level). Hey! Albanian Alps Travel Guide - Tourism in Albania To each their own, though! Campsites are (obviously) the budget option for accommodations in the alps, however youll need to bring your own camping gear for this AND youll have to carry it with you when you hike from one park to the next Which is kind of a huge pain in the butt. Buses are very cheap here, but unreliable. This exodus was 10.5% higher than in 2021, with the majority, about 36,000, being young people, according to new data from the Albanian Institute . There are a few awesome viewpoints along the way so be sure to keep an eye out for one. The Old Mill in Valbona is located right up the road from Xhema Lake. But mountains arent the only beautiful natural feature youll find in Albania. Along the way, be sure to look out to the breathtaking valleys towering over Theth and watch as the sun retreats away. There are plenty of off the beaten path hikes located all over the park and the locals in the valley will be happy to point them out to you. Where to Stay: Shpella Guesthouse Theth (Budget) - 17 USD/Night (Dorm) | 33 USD/Night (Twin Room with Private Bathroom). Having a car will allow you to drive to the trailheads, pack more gear, and bring extra food. Im now focused on travelling the world and seeing everything our beautiful home has to offer. Visit Grub am Forst: 2023 Travel Guide for Grub am Forst, Bavaria - Expedia After a good night's sleep, have an epic breakfast at Shpella Guesthouse and set off on to the Blue Eye, one of the most popular hikes to do in Theth. For the trip from Shkodra to Theth, you can pay directly to the bus driver when you arrive tomorrow. 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. 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. The waterfall is only a quick walk from the village of Theth and its definitely worth a visit. The biggest bucket list hike and the #1 thing to do in the Albanian Alps is hike between Valbona and Theth. There are beach huts, restaurants and bars, as well as river hiking opportunities here. At the bottom of this post I answer this question more in depth and create multiple itineraries based on what type of trip to the alps youre after. The Grunas waterfall (along with the Blue Eye of Theth) is one of those must see things in the alps. If you only have a day or two to explore the Albanian Alps, Theth is easily accessible and its therefore the easiest park to visit. These guesthouses are a great option if youre looking for easy access to the Blue Eye. Service. The trail begins from Fushe Thethi just east of Shpella Guesthouse and continues east towards a rocky river bed where you will have to cross to the other side. Travel Insurance: ALWAYS purchase reliable insurance prior to your trip. Improve this listing. per night. If you like supporting local, Tours by Locals might be for you! Long are the days when you have to scramble your way to find a local sim card at an airport when you arrive.
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