The Albanian Alps, also known as the Accursed Mountains, are located in the north of Albania and occupy about 8% of the country’s territory. Home to dramatic mountain peaks, deep green valleys, and thick forests, this is the finest hiking area in Albania. It’s the most attractive and fascinating part of the country in our opinion, but also relatively isolated since there are only a couple of roads in and out. In fact, there is no road connecting the two most famous parks: Valbona and Theth, and you have to hike over a mountain pass to get from one to another.
📍 DAY 1: Shkodra – Komani Lake – Valbona Valley National Park
☑️ Take shuttle from Shkodra to Koman, take the ferry to Fierze, take the shuttle to Valbona Valley National Park, do a short hike to Kukaj Valley (and the Ridge near Thatë peak) or just relax at the guesthouse
🚢 Reserve your spot on the ferry: https://worldwildhearts.hopp.to/koman-lake-ferry
😴 Where we stayed in Valbona: Guesthouse Skender Selimaj https://www.booking.com/hotel/al/guesthouse-skender-selimaj.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
📍 DAY 2: Hike in Valbona Valley National Park
☑️ Hike to the Montenegrin-Albanian border pyramid (17.5 kms/11 mi long with 1,280 meters/4,200 ft of elevation gain). From the pass, you can also continue to Rosi peak, which adds another 400 meters/1,300ft of elevation.
Alternative trails include Jezerca Lakes and peak, Thatë peak, and Kolata peak.
📍 DAY 3: Hike the famous Valbona to Theth Trail
☑️ This point-to-point hike is about 17 kms or 10.5 miles long, depending on where you start and finish it. We would say the difficulty level is medium, and you don’t need to be fit or have a lot of mountain experience to complete the trek. Just make sure you can walk for 6 to 9 hours!
😴 Where we stayed in Theth: Where we stayed: Bujtina Miqesia https://www.booking.com/hotel/al/bujtina-miqesia.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
📍 DAY 4 (& 5): Hike in Theth National Park + Bus Back To Shkodra
☑️ If you’re catching the bus back on DAY 4, you can do a half-day hike to the iconic Theth Church, Grunas Waterfall, and the Blue Eye. If you plan to hike all the way to the Blue Eye, keep in mind that it’s 17 kms or 10.5 miles total. Alternatively, you can hike to the Church and Grunas Waterfall only, which is a lot shorter and you’ll only need about 3-hours.
If you want to spend a full day in Theth instead (and take the bus back on DAY 5), we don’t recommend hiking this extremely crowded trail! Instead, opt for a more rewarding trek to one of the peaks, caves, or glacial lakes. Find other trail options in the tourist center in town.
📺 MORE ALBANIA VIDEOS:
– Tirana Things To Do: https://youtu.be/IASIu531Ijc
– Saranda Things To Do: https://youtu.be/DfSf0IVzofE
– Gjirokaster Things To Do: https://youtu.be/edudFYKAsz0
– Albania Top 15 Places To Visit: https://youtu.be/MbO4XGmdADk
– Berat Things To Do: https://youtu.be/P8_hWFs2MIA
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✏️ ALBANIAN ALPS GUIDE (WITH HIKING MAPS):
https://www.worldwildhearts.com/post/albanian-alps
🎵 MUSIC CREDITS:
Hope and Glory by Nobo
Rejoice in the morning by The David Roy Collective
Rainbow by Vaeceslav Draganov
Life by ANBR
Local Albanian Music by Theth Musician
🎥 VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
1:16 DAY 1 Shkodra and Komani and Valbona
3:23 DAY 2 Hike Valbona Valley National Park
5:15 DAY 3 Hike Valbona to Theth Trail
6:43 DAY 4 OR 5 Hike in Theth and Bus Back To Shkodra
8:24 More Albanian Alps Tips
#thethnationalpark #valbonavalleynationalpark #albania
20 Comments
Excellent Video! You've collected some beautiful impressions here 👍😊. we wish you a nice day! Best wishes Up'n'Down-Traveling
Hello.. nice to see your Chanel..
Great job with the video! I can highly recommend you guys hike in Guatemala, or just central america in general 🙂
Is this trip able to do solo? i want to sly in to tirana and head up that way, so this itinerary helped a ton. How much was the round trip costs!
Nice video! What time of the year did you hike there?
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Awesome video. Can I ask you, where did you leave your car in Shkodër? Any good and safe place to leave it for a few days?
AM FROM ALBANIA
🦅🇦🇱🇦🇱🦅
Do you think this is doable with a bicycle..? Theth to Valbona.
Great video! Did you see any dangerous wildlife while on the trail? We’re doing it soon and am nervous about that!
your video is very interesting and professional. Keep going 🌹
awesome, thank you so much :)!
Great video – A couple of questions: 1 – What are the best months for hiking in the area ; 2: is it 17+ kilometers to the mountain saddle one way, or there and back; and 3: Can you camp at the top of the saddle?
Hello, am jairos invite you to seize this high season and explore Tanzania like never before!
this country is incredible..
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!
I was struggling to find a complete guide for this hike and now I finally have an overview.
I am going solo in september and a bit worried that this wont work out. Do you know where i can book the package including minivan in advance?
Thanks for the Video! How much did you pay for the whole Package? And you left your big bags in shkodra in the hotel, so you payed two hotels (1 in shkodra for the bags and 1 in theth/valbona/…) during this 5 day trip? Best regards:)
Hows October for this hike
What kind of wildlife is these mountain ranges? Bears?