Hiking in the Valbona and Theth region – Photo Source: YouTube: Alesha and Jarryd
Walking holidays are the right way to creating unique authentic experiences in Albania.
There’s too much to say about hiking opportunities in Albania, but the most important thing is that you’ll have the trails for yourself. Albania is one of the best destinations for nature lovers, according to National Geographic. There are hiking trips of every length and difficulty through incredibly varied landscapes. Albanians love to explore their country and are taking seriously the existing trails, while many others are being mapped and signed. Guides take groups of Albanian and international citizens on the day, weekend, and multi-day trips across the country. Trekking in the great outdoors is the alternative to traditional beach vacations on the coast of the Ionian and Adriatic seas. Hiking in Albania is a large topic but it can be narrowed down to specific categories according to geographical, cultural, and historical elements. Given the strategic location in the Balkan region, backpackers, solo and group travelers that pass through Albania take the chance to explore the little-known inland and look for authentic experiences.
For hikers interested in hiking in Albania here is the list of trails according to regions
The Albanian Alps and multi-day hikes
Valbona Pass
It’s when you see the Albanian Alps that you’ll understand why they are called ‘The Accursed Mountains’. The trip to the Northern Alps runs through Komani Lake, the best boat trip in Albania and one of the most fascinating in Europe. Valbona National Park is a must-see place and from there you can walk Valbona Pass from the valley to Theth. This walk is a small section of ‘The Peaks of the Balkans’ route that walks across Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro. Valbona Pass is not a difficult walk and it can be completed by people of different ages.
The Peaks of the Balkans
Sports activities bring people and countries together and hiking cannot be excluded. The Peaks of the Balkans is a multi-day circuit about 200 km long. It can be completed in no more than 12 days. It’s a lifetime experience.
A mountain walking trip “Around the peaks of the Balkans”
Via Dinarica
This one is for the bravest due to its length of over 2,000km. Via Dinarica crosses eight different countries in the Balkans from Slovenia to Macedonia. It is divided into 120 sections and traverses the Dinaric Alps and Sharr Mountain Range. This long distance walk that promotes responsible tourism across the Western Balkans is also a cultural corridor. It takes 70 to 90 days to complete the walk.
New Long Distance Hiking Route Connects the Western Balkans from Slovenia to Macedonia
Short hiking trips in the Northern Alps include routes to natural monuments such as waterfalls, caves and mountain peaks. Areas to explore: Curraj I Eperm, Lekbibaj, Vrane, Dragobi, Qerec, Lekbibaj, Vermosh, Lepusha, anyplace in Kelmend region, Gjallica Mountain in Kukes
What to do in Kukes? Hike in Gjallica Mountain
High-Scardus Trail
From the mountain peaks of Shari to the Coast of Prespa Lake, avid hikers have n the chance to walk a new hiking route that spans over 495 km. Adventure-seekers that want to explore the Balkans while walking long, long ways can now hit the High Scardus Trail. This newly marked trail spans in the mountainous areas between Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia.
Short walks near Tirana
- Fagu Mountain from Kllojka, a three-hour walk, 4.82 km long, three hours up, two hours down
- Snoji Mountain from Biza, moderate difficulty, 6 hours to complete
- Biza to Labinot, moderate difficulty, four hours to complete
- Shengjergj to Vali Cave, moderate, about three hours to complete
- Mali me Gropa to Facesh, moderate, about six hours to complete
- Ostrovica Peak (Elbasan), moderate, about three hours to complete
- Qafa e Shpellezes circuit walking to shepherds settlements, moderate, five hours to complete
- Pellumbas cave from Pellumbas Village, moderate, about 1 hour
- Dajti Crest Trail, moderate, seven hours to complete
- Percellesh, moderate, five hours to complete
- Dajti Mountain Trail, easy, about three hours
- Durisht-Petrela, moderate, 5 hours and 30 minutes
- Gamti Mountain, moderate, about six hours
- Tirana-Zall-Guri I Bardhe-Klos, difficult, about nine hours
- Tujan to Dajti Loop, moderate, about seven hours
- Zeza Canyon, easy, about two hours
- Cyclopes eye (Hurdha e Zeze) moderate, 4 hours
- Qafe Molle loop, moderate, three hours
Sotours app Introduces the Best Hiking Experience in Mount Dajti
Day Walking trips in Elbasan
- Mali i Korres circuit, moderate, seven hours
- Polisi Mountain, moderate, five hours
- Gaferi Peak, moderate, ten hours
- Kamara Bridge and Via Egnatia moderate, 3 hours 30 minutes
- Gjinar Mountain, moderate, five hours
- Belsh lakes, moderate, three hours
- Godolesh-Mengel, moderate, five hours
- Sotira waterfall, easy
- Shebenik, moderate, 6 hours
- Maja e Zeze, moderate, three hours
- Kabashi Cave to Ferrica Cave, easy
- Black Lake trip Gramsh, easy
- Valamara mountain, easy
- Komjani Mountain, difficult, 2 hours, 30 minutes
Dibra hiking
- Radomira – Korab Summit moderate
Berat hiking
- Shpiragu Mountain, easy, seven hours
- Cuka Partizan-Tomorri Mountain, difficult, six hours
Tomorri Mountain Hiking Trails Expanded and Improved
Vlora Walking Trails
New Trail Opens for Hiking in Karaburun Peninsula
- Orikum – Kepi I Gjuhezes, moderate
- Orikum – Bristani Bay, moderate, three hours
- Karaburun Crest, difficult, 12 hours
- Shale-Palasa, moderate, 4 hours
- Maja e Qorres, moderate, 4 hours
- Cika Mountain, moderate, 5 hours
- Llogara- Gropat e Piritirit, moderate, five hours
- Llogara- Lek Duka- Thanasi Peak, moderate, four hours
- Dukat – Terbac, moderate, 13 hours
- Dhermi to Himara, moderate, 12 hours
- Dhermi – Kondaq, moderate, one hour
- Dhermi – Jal, moderate,7 hours
- Dhermi – Gjipe, moderate, about two hours
- Kudhes – Qeparo, four hours
- Kallarat – Pilur, eight hours
- Vagalat – Mile Mountain, easy, three hours
New mapped path for tourists along Karaburun Peninsula
Gjirokastra Hiking
- Cajupi Summit, moderate, nine hours
- Bureto Mountain, difficult, nine hours
- Sheper – Permet, moderate, four hours
- Crossing Dhmbel mountain, difficult, 12 hours
- Benja Thermal Springs – Lengarica Canyo,n difficult, nine hours
- Papingu Mountain, difficult, 24 hours
Hiking Tour Operators
zbulo.org – Various Hiking Tours in and around Albania
Hiking Articles
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- Albania’s Best Wild Swimming Walks
- Save the Date for Prespa Winter Festival
- Peja Pass Lake in Theth
- You’re Invited: Shebenik Jabllanica Celebrates 11th Birthday
- Hiking Trails in Albania where to Escape the Crowds
- First Hiking Trail Inaugurated in Mirdita Region
Travel Pages
- Dental Tourism
- Balkan Tours
- Camping in Albania
- Jale Beach
- Rafting in Albania
- Tours in Albania
- Tourism in Albania
- Mountains & National Parks
- Albania Beaches