Our five best hikes in Albania

To gain perspective on just how widespread Albania’s natural wonders are, it’s worth noting that there are fifteen national parks in a country not much bigger than Wales. Which has made it tough for us to choose our best hikes in Albania, in a country where the people are clearly proud stewards of their natural heritage. However, as we’ve been bringing walkers here since 2010, we like to think that we know some of the best places for adventures. This collection of day hikes represents highlights from the prettiest of protected areas, from coasts to canyons, lakes to lowlands. All of which are, of course, just part of our longer collections of walking trails.

Mount Trekufiri

Summiting Mount Trekufiri (2,366m), also called Tromedja, is one of the highlights of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail as its peak forms the border triangle where Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro meet. Not surprisingly, it provides sweeping views of the borderlands. The route criss-crosses the border ridge below the 2,500m high peaks of Mount Marijash and Mount Rops, opening panoramic views into Kosovo and Montenegro. When you take it on with a guide on this small group tour, you take the high route up there, which starts with an overnight in a mountain hut in Dobёrdol (1,750m). Your resting point for the day is Milishevc, which is actually in Kosovo, where you spend another night in a basic mountain hut where the views and sunsets are priceless. Given the history of the Balkan region, and the wonders of this trail in healing past divisions, Mount Trekufiri really must be one of our planet’s most tranquil triangles.

Distance: 18km
Hiking time: 7.5-8h

Mount Trekufiri (2,366m), or Tromedja, is a natural border triangle between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro meet.

Valbona Pass

Valbona Pass (1,811m) in the eponymous national park boasts panoramic views over Theth and Valbona Valleys. Also known as the Grand Crossing, it’s a colossal trek with plenty of rest spots at natural springs, and flower-covered meadows that cross view-tastic valleys. It should only be tackled with an expert local guide because weather conditions can be severe, and sometimes there’s still snow in early summer. On both this eight day self-guided holiday, or this six day one, for example, you have the company not only of a guide, but also a horse to carry your bags, both of which you meet after a transfer to the trailhead. After passing the village of Rragam, get ready for a few steep segments, but there are also plenty of places with panoramic views to rest. Reaching the pass, you are rewarded with sweeping valley views, perfect for a lunch stop, before starting your descent to Theth, walking through shady beech forests, taking in views of Mount Arapi (2,217m) all the way to the guesthouse in Theth (728m). You can also do the crossing starting in Theth, as on this Peaks of the Balkans Trail extended holiday.

Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 6-7h

One of our customers shared this joyous photo of their descent from Valbona Pass into Theth.

Llogara Pass and Albanian Riviera

From colossal heights to the coast, you can combine both on our Coastal Albanian walking holiday, in the shadow of the Ceuranian Mountains. With trails that cling to the coast, taking you through traditional villages and along ancient shepherds’ trails, it’s Llogara National Park that’s the highlight for many. Especially Llogara Pass (1,043m) which is the starting point for a ravishing ridge walk. After a transfer to the pass, the trail starts with a few sightings of Mounts Cika and Qorre, which will take your breath away. The former is the highest of the Ceraunian Mountains at 2,044m. From here, you continue along a steep shepherd’s trail, through Bosnian pine groves that are sprinkled with wild chamomile and sage, up to a viewpoint across the Ionian Sea. Continue up to a rocky peak, known as Dhjopuri Saddle (1,600m), overlooked by Mount Qorre (2,018m) which is one of the most memorable picnic spots of the holiday, with views along the Karaburun Peninsula.The trek brings you back down the same way and, at the bottom, you are met and transferred to Tirana for your last night of the tour. You will certainly be leaving on a high.

Distance: 5km
Hiking time: 3-4h

“Albania is a fascinating and beautiful country with welcoming and friendly people. The variety of walks – mountains and coast – was perfect. Difficulty level was fine for us. Edi, the driver picked us up on time, was a good driver and gave us all the information we needed. The Hotel Alpin was very nice, hospitable staff with good English, the restaurant was good, as was the breakfast.” – Sally Alicante from Alicante, Spain on our Coastal Albania walking holiday.

From mountains to the Med, the view from Llogara Pass to the sea.

Koman Lake and Accursed Mountains

This one is a bit of a cheat, because you actually take a ferry across the lake, and don’t hike around it, but you do continue with a walk once you get to the other side. A feature of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail and both this eight day self-guided holiday and six day one,

Koman, or Komani Lake is a man-made reservoir, constructed in the 1980s as part of a larger hydroelectric project on the Drin River. Our trekking day there includes a three hour boat trip across the waterscape, which loops its way through the fjords of the Accursed Mountains, stopping en route at remote villages. Although this ferry ride has been cited as one of the most scenic boat journeys in Europe, it’s still very much off the tourist trail. As is the trek that follows, which starts at the lakeside village of Fierze. From here, you are transferred up into the heights of Valbona National Park, where you head to a mountain chalet in Valbona Valley to spend the night. Following trails through alpine forest, flower-filled meadows and a swimming stop-off at Xhemë Lake.

Distance: 7km, plus 3h ferry ride
Hiking time: 3h

The Peaks of the Balkans hiking trail includes a ferry trip through the fjord-like landscapes of Albania’s Komani Lake.

Sheper to Përmet, Southern Albania

One of the best ways to explore Albania’s less elevated but equally dramatic gorges and valleys is on a walking holiday through the south’s small towns and villages. You can do so on both a guided and self-guided tour, which explore the Dhëmbe and Nemërçka Mountains. Daily walks take you through remote and resplendent landscapes, following ancient mule tracks through orange and olive groves, or traditional villages in the shadow of Mounts Cajupi and Strakavec. And we think that this walk, between Sheper and Përmet, captures the many aspects of this region perfectly.

Starting in the traditional mountain village of Sheper, you follow an ancient shepherds’ trail, still used for transhumance purposes, up to the dramatic landscapes of Dhëmbel Pass (1,450m). It’s worth the ascent, as this shady tranquil trail brings you views across to Mount Cajupi en route, and then across the eastern highlands towards Greece when you get to the top. You then follow a long, rocky descent to Leusë, another beautiful stone village with an amazing fresco-covered church, considered one of the finest in Southern Albania. It is then only a 15mins walk to Përmet, where you spend the night. Located on the banks of the River Vjosa, this has been nicknamed Europe’s last wild river by environmentalists and scientists. You explore it further on the day after this trek, with a chance to explore the river’s Langarica Canyon.

Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 6-7h

Transhumance is still practised in these summer meadows in southern Albania, where walking takes you into another world.

For more gems of information gathered over our many years of natural adventures in the Balkan countries, check out our various blogs, starting off with Bigging up our Balkan holidays. You can dig deeper on the Via Dinarica Trail or find out more about these best hikes in Albania in our Peaks of the Balkans Trail blog. And to time your visit to Albania, our Best time to go to Albania blog has more specifics about where to go and when. For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our adventure specialists.