Albania Hiking Tours: Top 5 Routes + Tips
Lush green valleys and imposing peaks – the landscape in Albania is impressive and is best explored on foot. There are numerous waterfalls, beautiful coastal hikes and lonely mountain ranges. Add to this the warmth and hospitality of the locals, the delicious cuisine and an exciting culture. If you are still looking for inspiration for your hiking trip, you can find out our best tips for hiking in Albania in this article.
Albania Hiking Rosi Pass Valbona
When is the best time for hiking in Albania?
As it can get very cold in the Albanian Alps in winter, you should base your hiking holiday on the high season. The months of May to September are best for a hiking holiday in the mountains, as it is warm enough and, above all, dry. It’s also less crowded here than in the big tourist resorts on the coast, so you can find some peace and quiet.
Hikers Theth-Valbona
If you prefer to spend your time on the coast and go hiking there, you should go to Albania in spring or autumn. Outside the summer holidays, the beaches are emptier, accommodation is cheaper and, above all, it’s not as hot as in July or August.
Find out more about the best time to travel to Albania in our blog: Best time to travel to Albania
Hiking routes in North Albania
The hike between Valbona and Theth is one of the most popular activities in northern Albania.
Theth National Park: The Blue Eye – Syri i Kaltër
Blue Eye Pool in Theth
Grunas Waterfall
- Highlight: Waterfall + Diverse nature
- Duration: Approximately 6–7 hours
- Starting point: Theth centre
The small natural pool in the centre of Theth National Park attracts hikers mainly because of the turquoise blue water in the basin. Unlike the „Blue Eye“ in the south of the country, the water here is ice-cold. If you want to cool off after the hike, you can jump in.
The hike itself is around 17 kilometres long and should therefore not be underestimated. However, the paths are relatively easy, and the hike is not technically demanding. There is a steep incline at the beginning and end of the hike. You can also make a detour to the beautiful Grunas waterfall along the way.
Valbona Valley Tours
Albania Valbona Valley
- Highlight: flora and fauna
- Duration: Approx. 3–4 hours
- Starting point: Valbona
The Valbona Valley is hardly developed by tourism and therefore offers very unspoilt nature. The trail runs along the Valbona river through pine forests and past high peaks.
The well-signposted panoramic route is a great way to discover the most beautiful spots around the village of Valbona. You will have to climb a few metres in altitude (~ 650 metres), but the circular tour is easily doable for hikers who are not completely unfit.
The highest mountain in Albania: Korab
Mount Korab Albania
- Highlight: Highest mountain in the Western Balkans
- Duration: Day tour
- Starting point: varies, e.g. from Radomirë
At the highest point in Albania, you have a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Before you reach the summit at 2,754 metres, you have to cross the ridge.
No special technical skills are required for this hike. However, as the tour is very long and you have to climb around 1,500 metres in altitude, you should definitely be physically fit and well equipped. It is best to hike with an experienced guide.
The best hiking routes South Albania
In the Llogara National Park: Maja Thanasit
Llogara Nationalpark
- Highlight: Deep canyon and beach
- Duration: 1 – 4 hours depending on the route
- Starting point: Vuno
The Llogara Pass is one of the highlights of a trip to Albania and the journey is a delight with spectacular views of the mountains and the coast. The national park itself is a popular destination for hikers and offers numerous routes, which you can find out about in the village.
A beautiful hike with a view of the sea is the ascent of Maja e Thanasit, a 1,381 metre high peak. The paths of the approximately 7.5 kilometre hike are easy to manage and not particularly challenging.
To the coast through the Gjipe Gorge
The Gjipe Gorge
- Highlight: Deep canyon and beach
- Duration: 1 – 4 hours depending on the route
- Starting point: Vuno
Gjipe beach is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Albania and can only be reached on foot or, for the brave, by 4×4. In summer, this beach is also very crowded, but in the low season you will have the bay almost to yourself and can refresh yourself in the crystal-clear water.
There are several starting points for the hike. Easy paths with viewing platforms start at the car park (approx. 1 hour), while longer paths lead from the beautiful village of Vuno through the green gorge to the beach.
Tips for hiking in Albania
The route and the time have been chosen, but what should you definitely pack for your hiking adventure in Albania?
This belongs in your luggage:
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Rain jacket
- Possibly hiking poles
- Sun screen
- Headgear against cold and sun
- Sufficient drinking water
- Food and drink
- Cash
- Hiking map from the tourist information centre or offline maps on your mobile phone
Accommodation options when hiking in Albania
There are not yet many classic hut hikes in Albania as there are in the Alps. However, the following accommodation options are available:
- Hotels: There are plenty of hotels in the larger tourist resorts. It is more difficult in the countryside. The standard is usually lower than here.
- Private rooms: Everywhere in Albania. If you meet someone on the street, they will probably offer you a room or at least take you to a relative who has a room.
- Guest Houses: Here you’ll get a bit of a hut feeling and get to know the way of life of the locals in the mountain villages.
- Wild Camping: Camping is allowed outside the nature reserves. With a tent or camper van. There are designated campsites in the national parks.
Signposting of the hiking routes
The more popular routes are generally well signposted, at least in the high season. The paths are often relatively clear, as the network of paths is not yet fully developed, so you don’t have many options anyway.
Particularly in the north, you will often be travelling alone, so you should get enough information about the route from the locals or the tourist information centre beforehand.
In the south, there are water canisters hanging in the trees in summer, which are regularly refilled. However, these are only intended for emergencies, so you should still take enough to drink with you.
Typical Albanian food
What would a strenuous hiking holiday be without good food? Probably only half as nice. But you don’t have to worry about that in Albania. Albanian cuisine is varied with diverse influences from Greece, Turkey and the rest of the Balkans. In the countryside, you will be served hot meals with plenty of lamb in typical inns, while fresh fish is available on the coast and small specialities are served everywhere. Try stuffed peppers, pies filled with spinach or the cucumber dip trator, for example. The prices are comparatively very reasonable and dishes in Albania are usually shared with the whole table.
Albanian Food: Flija
Go hiking in Albania now!
Want to lace up your hiking boots and put on your rucksack right now? Then browse through our trips to Albania and hike through the Albanian Alps or along the Riviera yourself. Whether in a group or alone, a relaxed round trip or strenuous hiking days – you are sure to experience unforgettable moments in Albania.