The route
This moderate tour combines easier hikes with shorter, more demanding routes. Previous hiking experience is helpful but not essential; good health and reasonable fitness are more important.
Daily walks take around 3–6 hours, with ascents typically between 300–700m and occasionally up to 1,000m. Some sections are steep or covered with loose terrain. The trails are generally wide and safe, but a 200m section on day 4 and a few short sections on days 2, 6 and 7 may be challenging for anyone with a fear of heights.
See video about the tour
Get a vivid impression of what awaits you on this atmospheric hiking holiday in the Albanian Alps with Bering Travel. In the video, you can experience the dramatic mountain landscapes, lush valleys, and charming villages that characterize this journey.
Itinerary
Welcome to the Balkans! Your included transfer departs from Tirana Airport or the city centre and takes around two hours to reach Shkodër. Upon arrival, you will receive your travel materials, including a roadbook, map, phone and GPS device. You will also attend a tour briefing with an opportunity to ask any questions.
If time allows, explore Shkodër on foot. Its lively pedestrian street is lined with elegant townhouses that reflect the city’s prosperous past. Continue to the bustling bazaar, where you can browse the stalls and buy dried fruit or snacks for the journey.
Rozafa Castle is only a short taxi ride away and offers magnificent views as well as a first glimpse of the landscapes you will encounter in the Albanian Alps. With additional time, you can rent a bicycle for approximately €5 per day and visit the lakeside villages of Shirokë and Zogaj. Here, you can enjoy freshly prepared fish or take a swim in the largest lake in the Balkans.
In the evening, choose from the city’s many restaurants and enjoy a good meal before your hiking adventure begins early the following morning.
Meals included: None
Hotel (example): Tradita
An early start takes you on a scenic drive through the Drin Gorges to Lake Koman (58 km/2 hours). Surrounded by towering cliffs, the winding reservoir resembles a Norwegian fjord and offers one of the most spectacular approaches to the Albanian Alps.
You board a specially designed ferry for an unforgettable journey across the lake. Along the way, the boat calls at isolated villages to collect and drop off local passengers before reaching Fierzë (46 km/3 hours).
From here, you continue by car into the mountainous landscapes of Valbona National Park, stopping for a light lunch in the small town of Bajram Curri. In the early afternoon, you arrive in the Valbona Valley, known for its traditional stone tower houses.
After the journey, a gentle warm-up walk follows a crystal-clear stream through ancient beech forests, where wild strawberries grow during the summer. The dramatic peaks rising above the valley reveal why this region is known as the Cursed Mountains. In the evening, you can enjoy a hearty dinner and a well-earned rest before the next day’s hike.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Transfer times: 3 hours car and 3 hours boat
Hotel (example): Vila Dini
After a short transfer (10 min) to the starting point, the hike begins to Kukaj, an isolated village where only two families live. Below are bunkers that once protected the border, now scattered in the riverbed. The winding path leads you across lush meadows with a wide variety of spring flowers and through light beech forest up to the Rama shepherd's hut at 1,650 metres. During the communist period, when this was a forbidden area, the building used to be a military barracks. Enjoy the wild and romantic mountain scenery, a refreshing drink or extend the tour by climbing higher to an old border crossing with Montenegro. Descend again to Kukaj and then to your accommodation. As daylight fades, admire the alpine glow over dinner on the idyllic veranda.
Today you can choose between three different routes, which are either 9km, 12km or 18km.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Hotel (example): Vila Dini
Today brings another memorable experience in the Albanian Alps. A short transfer takes you to Rragam, where you meet the mule handler who will transport your luggage during the hike.
From here, you begin the ascent to Valbona Pass at 1,811 metres. Some sections are steep, so allow time for regular breaks and remember to carry plenty of water. At the pass, an impressive panorama unfolds, with rugged mountain peaks and far-reaching views across both national parks. It is an ideal place to pause and enjoy your packed lunch.
The route then descends towards Theth through a fairytale-like beech forest that offers welcome shade from the afternoon sun. As you approach the village, the trees gradually open to reveal Mount Arapi (2,217 metres). Soon, the first houses appear, and a broad path leads you through Theth to your welcoming guesthouse.
Hotel (example): Pashko
Today, you can choose between two rewarding hiking routes. Follow the steep historic Caravan Road into a dramatic limestone landscape deep in the valley, or take the Shepherd’s Route to a secluded alpine meadow overlooking the entire valley.
Both options offer magnificent views of the surrounding mountain peaks. After the hike, you return to your accommodation in Theth for another overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Hotel (example): Pashko
Today’s hike introduces you to the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Theth. Begin with a visit to the village’s iconic church before learning about the Kanun, the traditional laws of the Albanian highlands, at the nearby lock-in tower that once provided refuge during blood feuds.
The route continues alongside old irrigation channels to Grunas Waterfall. You can also look into the impressive Grunas Gorge, which reaches a depth of approximately 50 metres. The second part of the hike follows the river downstream to Nderlysa, where a light lunch is served in a lovely local garden.
Tonight, you stay at a simple yet exceptionally welcoming guesthouse in a peaceful village. Relax in the garden while sampling mulberries, grapes and plums, learn about your host’s beekeeping or enjoy a refreshing swim in the nearby glacial rock pools.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Hotel (example): Prek Bjeshka
Today’s hike leads through a dramatic gorge to the Blue Eye, a beautiful karst spring hidden in the forest. Its icy water invites the bravest hikers to take a refreshing dip, while the peaceful surroundings provide a wonderful place to relax. If you would like a longer walk, you can extend the route to the nearby abandoned village of Kapreja.
After lunch, at around 13:00, you are collected from your accommodation. The scenic transfer crosses Thorja Pass into the Bogë Valley before continuing alongside Lake Shkodër. After approximately two hours, you stop briefly in Shkodër and then continue to your centrally located hotel in Tirana. The total transfer takes around 3.5 hours.
Albania’s lively capital offers a modern contrast to the remote mountain landscapes. Celebrate the end of your adventure with dinner and a drink in the fashionable Blloku district – a fitting finale to an unforgettable week in the Albanian Alps.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Hotel (example): Vila 60
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Your included transfer to Tirana Airport takes approximately 40 minutes.
If your flight schedule allows, spend a few final hours exploring the capital and enjoying its atmosphere, history and sights before your journey home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
price includes
ACCOMMODATION
- 7 nights in hotels and guesthouses
FOOD & DRINKS
- Breakfast every day
- 6 lunches
- 5 dinners
HIKING
- 6 days of hiking (approximately 50–62 km in total)
- Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (route maps, route descriptions, information about relevant tourist attractions, and important phone numbers – in English)
- Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
- Option to receive GPX files for use with your own GPS
TRANSPORT
- Luggage transport between accommodations (maximum 15 kg per person)
- All described transfers
- Airport transfers to/from Tirana
OTHER
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
GENERAL
- Transport to/from Albania
- Cancellation and travel insurance
- Administration fee DKK (€25)
NECESSARY AND PAYABLE LOCALLY
- Any tourist taxes charged by the hotels
Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be minimum two participants.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
- Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
- See the price
Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.
The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.
Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Tirana are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 2-5 working days). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms in centrally located city hotels, mountain lodges, and guesthouses. In the highlands, you will switch from a hotel in Valbona to a simpler but very inviting guesthouse in Nderlysa.
It is not possible to get single rooms during the trek, so if you select single room when you book the tour, you will have a single room on the first and last night. Not the nights inbetween.
Breakfast is included every day. Additionally, 6 lunches and 5 dinners are included.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 15kg each.
Hiking in mountainous terrain such as the Dolomites and the Alps requires good preparation and respect for nature.
- Be in basic good physical shape before the trip
- Wear proper hiking shoes or boots
- Bring plenty of water and some food or snacks for the hike
- Dress appropriately for the conditions
- Use the provided map or GPS information (for example via the Bering Travel app) and stay on marked trails
- Bring a fully charged phone and a power bank
- Always check the weather forecast and the route before setting out as conditions can change quickly and your own safety should always come before reaching impressive viewpoints
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
On your hiking holiday in the Albanian Alps, from Shkodër to Tirana, you can expect varied temperatures in the summer and autumn months. In the summer months of June, July, and August, temperatures reach their peak between 25-30 degrees, but you will experience mild wind conditions as the Adriatic Sea brings gentle breezes along your route. On particularly hot days, we recommend starting the daily stages early in the day to avoid the midday heat. During this time of year, you can expect moderate rainfall. In the autumn month of September, temperatures slowly drops down to18-20 degrees in daytime, rainfall slightly increases, and you will experience moderate wind conditions, and cooler evenings and nights.
Please note that the mountain huts are not heated, so when traveling in september, warm sleeping wear is recommended.
Here is no text
When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.
Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.
The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.
The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.
This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.
"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"
