Hiking in Wild Albania

You land at the airport and travel approximately 30 minutes to our hotel in the capital Tirana. In the afternoon, there is a joint briefing where our local representative goes through everything you need to know before the hiking trip in the Albanian Alps. After that, we recommend a city walk in Tirana and dinner at a traditional restaurant. The city straddles west and east, present and past, and is a stimulating experience.

You start the day with a two-hour transfer (included) and then continue with one of Europe's most beautiful ferry rides across Lake Koman (approximately two hours, 10-20€). The view over the dramatic mountains is unforgettable. Are we in a Norwegian fjord? After arrival in Fierza, you are driven further to the Ujeze huts, where you begin your first hike. You walk down towards the Tropoja river and reach the village of Sylbicë. In the evening, you are treated to traditional homemade food.

You hike up through pastures full of blueberries and pass beautiful glacial lakes. Along the shepherd trails on the mountain ridges, you have extensive views over the Albanian Alps and the Gashi valley. In Dobërdol, you get an insight into traditional life where people still live from livestock farming. From here you also see the peak Trekufiri, where the borders between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro meet. You end the day with a descent to a family-owned guesthouse that awaits with open arms and a warm meal. If you have energy left, you can climb the Trekufiri peak after arrival.

You follow the shepherd trails from Dobërdol through forests and flowering meadows. Near the protected area of Gashi – a UNESCO World Heritage site – you pass simple shepherd huts. Along the way there is a local café that also serves food. You walk a short distance in Montenegro and are treated to fantastic views over the alpine peaks before you hike down towards Cerem.

Today's hike goes through forests and pastures with views over Montenegro and the Borit pass. Along the shepherd trails, you get magnificent panoramic views over the Valbonë valley and the Albanian Alps. You partly follow the so-called "White Circle Trail" before you reach the Valbonë river, where a car awaits for a short transfer to your accommodation.

Villas Jezerca*** in Valbone

Today is one of the trip's highlights! You hike up towards the Valbonë pass, the trip's highest point. Here you stop for a while and enjoy the magnificent views over the Valbonë and Theth valleys, the heart of "The Accursed Mountains". Here it's perfect for a picnic lunch with views over the river and the surrounding mountains. Then you hike down towards the charming village of Theth where you spend the night.

You stroll through the idyllic Theth valley and get an insight into the local population's daily life. You visit the Catholic church from 1892 and the famous "Lock-in Tower" (Kulla) – a symbol of old blood feuds and the traditional legal system Kanun. You also take a hike to Grunas waterfall before you are driven (approximately three hours) to Shkodra.

It's time to return to reality and Tirana airport for the journey home.