Overview
This walking holiday on the Albanian Coast is an eight day, self-guided adventure, sauntering and swimming in Llogara National Park, in the shadow of the Ceraunian Mountains. Walk along trails that cling to the coast and stroll through traditional villages along ancient shepherds’ paths. There are days when you can push yourself up to the likes of Llogara Pass (1,043m) or Dhjopuri Saddle (1,600m) just beneath Qorre (2,018m). Stay in traditional local guesthouses, with five nights in Himarë and transfers to trailheads.
- Llogara National Park
- Ceraunian Mountains
- Karaburun Peninsula
- Llogara Pass
- Dhjopuri Saddle
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Himarë
Arrive in Tirana (airport or city centre) for a briefing and to meet your driver to be transferred to Himarë (4h). Along the drive take in the Vjosa River, salt pans at Narta Lagoon and the Bay of Vlore. Spend the evening exploring Himarë or relaxing on the pebbled beaches.
- Accommodation: Dhima Hotel or similar in Himarë
Day 2: Himarë loop to Qeparo | 9/12km
Begin with a short transfer to Kudhes and follow the route through olive groves and past rural houses up to the heart of the village. Ascend on a rocky shepherd’s path bordered with oleanders and cypress trees. From the terraced fields, the view opens up over the Ionian Sea and Corfu. Continue on to Old Qeparo on the hilltop, from where you can either descend to New Qeparo by the beach or continue the walk above the shoreline, across the hillside towards Borsh. Return to Himarë for the evening.
- Walking for the day: 9km, 4h, ↑375m ↓375m or 12km, 5h, ↑425m ↓425m
- Accommodation: Dhima Hotel or similar in Himarë
Day 3: Ionian coastal trail | 12.5km
Start with a short transfer to Vuno and take in the ancient orthodox churches and open-air cafe in the village centre. Descend through olive groves to Jalë beach and continue on along the red-earthed trail to Livadhi beach. Take the chance to stop off and swim before walking back to the hotel either via the cobbled path to the Old Town and castle or the more direct route through the town.
- Walking for the day: 12.5km, 4h, ↑250m ↓550m
- Accommodation: Dhima Hotel or similar in Himarë
Day 4: Southern villages hike and Lavani | 6/10km
Transfer to Lukova to start the walk, following a steep shepherd’s path to the ridge, where you get great views of the terraced hills and sea out towards Corfu. Weather permitting, it’s possible to ascend Lavani (945m), the highest point in the area, before descending via wide exposed gravel paths down to Piqeras. Meet your driver to be transferred back to Himarë for the evening.
- Walking for the day: 6km, 3h, ↑450m ↓500m or 10km, 5h, ↑710m ↓760m
- Accommodation: Dhima Hotel or similar in Himarë
Day 5: The prisoners trail | 12km
After a short transfer to Lukova, follow the route along cobbled alleys past flower-adorned houses to cross terraces of olive groves. Remnants of past times, these terraces were constructed by hand by political prisoners during the communist era. Descend to Bunec beach, walking along the shoreline before ascending once again to stroll along the hillside to Borsh beach. Take the chance to refresh with a swim in the sea before returning to Himarë for your final evening.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4h, ↑225m ↓400m
- Accommodation: Dhima Hotel or similar in Himarë
Day 6: Himarë – Llogara | 11km
You are transferred to Llogara Pass (1,043m) where the trail takes you along a gravel path towards the radio towers on the ridge, with views of both the Karaburun Peninsula and Albanian Riviera. Ascend to the summit of Mount Gjipali (1,446m) the perfect place for a picnic with a view. Descend into mountain pastures and enter Deep Pass, a rainforest-like green corridor, famous for its 500 year-old black pines and firs. Continue on the trail to Llogara National Park to spend the night in a mountain hotel.
- Walking for the day: 11km, 5h, ↑425m ↓625m
- Accommodation: Hotel Alpin or similar in Llogara
Day 7: Llogara – Tirana | 5km
Begin from Llogara Pass (1,043m) to follow a steep trail up through ancient snakeskin pines to the rocky peak of Qorre (2,018m) at Dhjopuri Saddle. Take in views of the Llogara Pass, separating the Karaburun Peninsula from the rest of the Albanian Coast, before retracing your steps down to one of the restaurants in the village. Meet your driver to transfer to Tirana, Albania’s capital. Morning transfers can be arranged to spend more time in Tirana. We recommend a stroll around the city to see the blend of Ottoman-era buildings, art galleries and the Skanderbeg Square.
- Walking for the day: 5km, 3-4h, ↑550m ↓500m
- Accommodation: Hotel Vila 60 or similar in Tirana
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast. Depending on flight times, take the chance to explore Tirana before meeting your driver to be transferred to the airport.
- Complimentary transfer to Tirana airport
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. Our aim is that all rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms, however this is not always possible in mountain accommodation.
Click to view default accommodations
- Dhima Hotel (Himarë)
- Hotel Alpin (Llogara)
- Hotel Vila 60 (Tirana)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days and one packed lunch is provided. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at the guesthouse you are staying at or at the village pubs and restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
The tour is graded moderate, with daily distances ranging from 5-13k and is suitable for active hikers with a moderate level of fitness. The itinerary includes options to shorten walks if needed. Some walking on loose underfoot, steep sections and occasional longer/harder days may be involved (read more about difficulty grades). .
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes, maps and GPS devise with pre-loaded tracks. You can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of April until the end of May and from September to late October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
For more information, see our blog, Best time to go to Albania.
Getting there
Our recommended airport for this trip is Tirana International Airport (TIA). Complimentary return transfers from/to the airport are included in the trip cost (one arrival and one departure transfer per party).
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Lunch on day seven
- Luggage transfers when changing hotels (one piece per person, max 20kg)
- Complimentary airport transfers
- Arrival briefing
- Detailed route notes, maps (one per room) and GPS device with pre-loaded tracks, SIM card
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers other than Tirana
- Travel insurance (get a quote online)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary as well as drinks
- Personal expenses
- Any other items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- We regret that this tour is not available for solo travellers
