Overview
Explore the longest section of the High Scardus Trail, a remote, long-distance walking trail through the Balkan countries of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. This High Scardus Trail guided walking holiday is along the Albanian Sharr Mountains section. Natural highlights include the wild terrain of Korab-Koritnik Nature Park, home to Mount Korab (2,764m), the highest peak in both Albania and North Macedonia, and natural border between the two. You also have the chance to meet shepherd communities, stay in mountain huts and hike up Grama Pass (2,300m), with dizzying views of many peaks in this elevated terrain.
We also have a self-guided version of this High Scardus Trail if you are accustomed to independent hiking.
- High Scardus Trail
- Criss-cross between Albania and North Macedonia
- Climb Mount Korab (2,764m)
- Korab-Koritnik Nature Park
- Views of Mount Gjallica (2,489m)
- Kukes, town nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Albania/Kukes
We meet at the airport or in Tirana for a quick walking tour. You are transferred to Kukes (2h 30mins), a small town in north-eastern Albania, overlooking the confluence of Kosovo’s White and North Macedonia’s Black Drin Rivers. Following the Kosovo conflict in 1999, the town was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for welcoming and sheltering 450,000 Kosovar refugees fleeing the war. The views of Mount Gjallica (2,489m) are a foretaste of what is to come.
- Complimentary group transfer from Tirana to Kukes – two options available:
- Option 1: 14.00 Tirana city centre (near Skanderbeg Square / behind Opera House)
- Option 2: 15.00 Tirana airport (minibus parking outside Arrivals)
- Overnight at a pension in Kukes (Oda Kuksit or similar)
- Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: From Kukes to Caje | 15km
Starting from Kukes, a 45mins transfer takes you through Vanave Gorge into the Gora (highlands). Today’s hike starts near the Gorani village of Shishtavec, from where a gradual ascent takes you to the rocky outcrop of Mount. Kallabak (2,174m) with your first glimpse of the Sharr Massif. Continue along a ridge traversing elevated meadows, crisscrossing the border between Albania and Kosovo, with sightings of Mount Korab (2,764m). Descending into the valley, you reach Caje, possibly Albania’s highest year-round inhabited settlement, where you are welcomed into the basic homestay of the village teacher.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 6-7h, ↑725m ↓1000m
- Overnight in Caje (homestay – Ardian Musai or similar)
- Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 3: From Caje to Radomire | 17km
Today starts with a longer hike to the larger village of Radomire, traversing flower-filled meadows in season. With some luck, the endemic Albanian Lily or herds of semi-wild horses can be spotted. Continue along a ridge, again with Mount Korab in the distance horizon. Continue on through the biodiverse beauty of Korab-Koritnik Nature Park bringing your day to a close in Radomire village, where you spend the next two nights.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 8h, ↑1000m ↓1075m
- Overnight at a pension in Radomire (Hotel Radomira, Bujtina Korabi or similar)
- Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 4: Climb Mount Korab | 17km
Early start today in order to climb Mount Korab (2,764m), the highest peak in both Albania and North Macedonia. It is a long and demanding day but with no technical climbing, passing shepherd huts, and negotiating both rocky stretches and soft alpine meadows. Reaching the saddle at the border with North Macedonia, the path circles the peak and approaches it from the rear, offering another perspective of the rocky giant. Enjoy your picnic and the breathtaking, wide-ranging views from Albania and North Macedonia’s rooftop. The descent follows a slightly different route back to Radomire.
Please note: the ascent of Mount Korab is optional, you may complete a shorter circuit or only part of the summit return hike – alternatively, spend the day at leisure around the village.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 10h, ↑1475m ↓1475m
- Overnight at a pension in Radomire (Hotel Radomira, Bujtina Korabi or similar)
- Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 5: From Radomire to highlands | 16km
Today you head back into the highlands following an old military patrol route along the border, where you spot the brezi i bute, a stretch of sand created to detect footsteps. Sadly, these peaceful surroundings hold a gloomy past when surveillance could have severe consequences. From today’s highest point, you overlook the vast plain of the glacial-shaped valley where thousands of sheep roaming free. Tonight, the shepherds of the Kaloshi clan welcome you into their modest wooden huts on the Ladies Pasture at 1,770m. There is no phone signal, electricity or shower, but you will be given a warm welcome. You may even have an opportunity to milk a sheep.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 7h, ↑1025m ↓575m
- Overnight in wooden shepherds’ hut (Korabi mountain camping or similar)
- Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 6: Crossing Grama Pass to Rabdisht | 15km
Today’s walk takes you along a mule path towards Grama Pass (2,300m) with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Looking behind, views of Mount Korab and Grama Lake leave you appreciating the long way you have come. Take a zig-zagging descent down an old border patrol path all the way to Rabdisht village, where a wonderful guesthouse awaits.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 8h, ↑800m ↓1550m
- Overnight at a guesthouse in Rabdisht (Sabri Shahini or similar)
- Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 7: From Rabdisht to Tirana | 12km
Today’s hike through the picturesque villages of Dibra smooths the transition from alpine heights to the city’s fast-paced life. Visiting Zagrad, Cerjan and Bellove you have time to take in the region’s traditional stone houses and meet local people. A transfer takes you from Bellove via Peshkopi to Tirana in the early afternoon. Spend the evening strolling around the capital, followed by a final dinner.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 5h, ↑700m ↓750m
- Overnight at a comfortable hotel in Tirana (Hotel Villa 60 or similar)
- Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 8: Departure
Time permitting, Tirana invites you to explore its streets and sights on a stroll. Sip an espresso in one of the charming bars, observe the busy morning flow and select special treats as edible souvenirs at the lively New Bazaar. If interested to learn more about the communist past, Bunkart 2 and The House of Leaves provide insights and are only a 5mins walk away from Tirana’s central Skanderbeg Square. Your walking holiday in Albania ends with a 40mins transfer to the airport. Transfer to the airport leaves at 10.00, if you wish to leave later it is possible to book a taxi for about €20.
- Depending on departure time possibility to further explore the capital
- Complimentary transfer to Tirana airport
- Meals included: Breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, basic homestays, authentic guesthouses and a rustic shepherd hut. Four nights in private rooms with en-suite or private facilities and three nights in shared rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism.
Click to view default accommodations
- Hotel Villa 60
- Bujtina Korabi
- Oda Kuksit
- Ardian Musai
- Korabi Mountain Camping
- Sabri Shahini
Hotels and guesthouses are subject to availability. If a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, it will be replaced with a hotel of equal value and quality level; sometimes, you will need to spend the night in a different building close to the main building. While we try to arrange accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, this might not be possible on this particular trip on all days, especially in the high mountain. Exact accommodation details will be provided to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Seven breakfasts, 6 packed lunches and 7 dinners are included.
Difficulty and terrain
The High Scardus Trail is a new off-the-beaten path experience away from tourist hotspots. This is a true point-to-point trekking where you complete all stages on foot, and luggage is transported by car or horse. Previous experience navigating by GPS is recommended and mobile signal is limited; because of this, we recommend the tour only to experienced, intrepid and fairly self-sufficient hikers. The accommodation is rustic and includes a simple homestay, comfortable pension, barebones shepherd hut (no shower or electricity) and welcoming guesthouse, all framed by two mid-class city hotels at the start and end. Those who visit will enjoy the mountains all to themselves, authentic encounters in true rural Albania and enlightening experiences.
The tour is suitable for very fit hikers with previous trekking experience. You should be confident in your physical condition and sure-footedness. Prepare to endure poor weather and to navigate rocky, undefined routes; remoteness can also play a part. Walking days are usually between 5-8h, although they can be longer to cross passes or peaks. Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1,000m, with the odd day ascending around 1,100m to 1,300m (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.
When to go
This small group itinerary is available from June to September.
Please check the Dates & Prices button on the right to see the exact departure dates.
Getting there
Recommended airport for this trip is Tirana. Complimentary group return transfers to this airport are included in the trip cost (as indicated in the itinerary)
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights as indicated in the itinerary in hotels, pensions, guesthouses, one homestay, and one overnight in a wooden shepherd’s hut
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary, including complimentary airport pick-up and drop off
- Arrival briefing
- Entrance fees, trekking and border crossing permits
- Luggage transfers: one piece up to 15kg in soft bags only (limited by luggage transport on horse, take a duffle bag or rucksack, hard cases are not suitable)
- English-speaking guide
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
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of the group who require a room of their own
- Please note that if you are a solo traveller who wants to join the group, you will have to book a single room supplement in case there is no other solo traveller willing to share
- One extra night in Tirana before and or after the holiday upon request
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