8-Day Albanian Alps Self-Guided Trek: Valbona, Theth and the Blue Eye

Arrive through Tirana or Podgorica and transfer to Shkodër, the gateway to the Albanian Alps.

Depending on your arrival time, explore the pedestrian center, visit the Marubi Photo Museum or head to Rozafa Castle for views over Lake Shkodra and the surrounding rivers.

This is also a good opportunity to purchase any final supplies before heading into the mountains.

Your self-guided travel and route information will be available through the GUIBO app.

Accommodation: Hotel, private en-suite room Meals: None Location: Shkodër Transfer: Approximately 2 hours from Tirana or Podgorica

Hiking: 2 h 20 min Distance: 7.5 km Ascent: +250 m Descent: -50 m

Leave Shkodër early and travel through the Drin gorges toward Komani Lake.

Cross the lake by public ferry, travelling between steep rock walls and remote lakeside settlements before reaching Fierza. Continue by road toward Bajram Curri and into Valbona Valley.

Once in the mountains, complete a short introductory hike beside clear streams and through beech forest beneath the limestone peaks of the Albanian Alps.

Depending on the weather and conditions, there may be an opportunity to swim in the river or a mountain pool.

Spend the night in Valbona.

Accommodation: Hotel or mountain guesthouse, private en-suite room Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Transfers: Approximately 3 hours by road plus 3 hours by boat Location: Valbona

Explore the mountain terrain above Valbona on a choice of routes.

A short transfer leads toward the trailhead near Kukaj. From here, hike through meadows and beech forest toward a former military hut at approximately 1,650 meters, now used seasonally by shepherds.

If conditions, time and your chosen route allow, continue higher toward the Montenegro border and a border marker at approximately 2,045 meters.

Possible route options include:

Valbona, Bregu i Rrethit and Dunisha 9 km | 5 h 01 min | +675 m / -825 m

Valbona, Kukaj, Rama Hut and Dunisha 13.5 km | 6 h 07 min | +775 m / -925 m

Valbona, Rama Hut, Pyramid 18 and Dunisha 18 km | 8 h 41 min | +1,150 m / -1,300 m

Select the route that best matches the weather, trail conditions and your fitness.

Accommodation: Hotel or mountain guesthouse, private en-suite room Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner Transfers: Approximately 10 minutes Location: Valbona

Hiking: 6 h 17 min Distance: 11 km Ascent: +800 m Descent: -1,125 m

Today is one of the main mountain stages of the trip.

After a short local transfer, begin the ascent toward Valbona Pass at 1,811 meters. The route climbs through forest and open meadows, with several steeper sections above Rragam.

From the pass, enjoy wide views across Valbona and Theth and the surrounding limestone peaks.

Descend through beech forest toward Theth, with Mount Arapi rising above the valley as you approach the village.

Your main luggage is transported separately, so you only need to carry a daypack.

The crossing should only be completed when the route is open and conditions are suitable.

Accommodation: Guesthouse, private en-suite room Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner Transfers: Approximately 30 minutes Location: Theth

Choose between several return hikes from Theth.

One option climbs toward Peja Pass from the source of the Theth River beneath Mount Arapi. The route is exposed to the sun, so an early start is recommended.

Another route climbs through the Ulaj neighborhood, across the river and into the forest toward the high meadows of Denelli.

Possible routes include:

Theth to Nenrreth and back 7.5 km | 4 h 24 min | +650 m / -650 m

Theth to Peja Pass and back 7.5 km | 6 h | +950 m / -950 m

Theth to Denelli and back 9.5 km | 6 h 31 min | +1,000 m / -1,000 m

Choose the option that best suits the weather, conditions and effort you want for the day.

Accommodation: Guesthouse, private en-suite room Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner Transfers: None or approximately 15 minutes, depending on the route Location: Theth

Walk through Theth and visit some of the landmarks associated with the history of the northern Albanian highlands.

Pass the village church and the lock-in tower, where you can learn about the historic role of the Kanun, the traditional code associated with northern Albania.

Continue beside water channels toward Grunas Waterfall and the cliffs above Grunas Canyon before following a bridle path downstream toward Nderlysaj.

Clear pools and rock formations near the village may provide an opportunity for a swim.

Possible routes include:

Theth to Nderlysaj 8 km | 2 h 39 min | +150 m / -400 m

Theth, Nenrreth and Nderlysaj 12 km | 5 h 36 min | +675 m / -925 m

Accommodation: Guesthouse, private en-suite room Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner Location: Nderlysaj

Hiking: 2 h 21 min Distance: 6.5 km Ascent: +275 m Descent: -275 m

Walk from Nderlysaj through the canyon toward the Blue Eye, a clear karst spring surrounded by forest and rocky terrain.

There may be an opportunity to swim in the cold water near the spring. An optional extension can continue toward the former hamlet of Kapreja.

Return to the accommodation before beginning the afternoon transfer out of the mountains via Thore Pass and the Boge Valley.

If you are departing through Tirana, continue to Tirana for your final overnight.

If you are departing through Podgorica, spend your final overnight in Shkodër.

Accommodation: Hotel, private en-suite room Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch Location: Tirana or Shkodër, depending on departure airport

Enjoy some free time depending on your departure schedule before your transfer to the airport.

If your trip ends in Tirana, you may have time for a final walk through the city center or a museum visit.

If you are departing through Podgorica, your airport transfer leaves from Shkodër.

Meals: Breakfast