My recommendation is to seal your important documents in a waterproof bag and keep them at the bottom of your day pack. Im just wondering assuming I come by car to either Theth or Valbona. And of course, a backpack that wont rip open. Amazing! Even if you opt to walk from the start of the trailhead, if you start from Valbona, you can get this part over with and be in the shade of the forest near Theth before it starts getting too hot. Still undecided about getting a guide. I do think it would be a wonderful experience with a guide, too. Bookings can be made through the official website, Komani Lake Ferry Berisha. It looks like a beautiful part of the world so Id hate to miss out on seeing it. I recommend doing the reverse and trekking from Valbona to Theth. I think the pass would still be manageable, but I would recommend getting in touch with someone on the ground to confirm. It will then take you to a van just outside the city which will take you all the way to Theth. You suggest booking a few weeks ahead for the ferry and being able to pay by credit card but then say to arrange via accommodation in Shkoder. The most popular way to get to Theth is from Shkoder, which is a city in the north of Albania, and a very beautiful one at that! We all took turns falling over during the last part of the walk the steepest and most slippery part of the trail is the final descent into Theth. Albania Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country. Whatever you need, you have to carry with you, which is why I highly recommend travelling with a light day pack only. afe Prush (Kosovo) Tropoje Qafe Mali Vau Dejes Shkoder Theth. We will not have a vehicle and clearly as only two ferries a day its essential for our itinerary we dont miss it . There are a few trails that branch off from the mountain pass. I havent heard of anyone doing that before, but I think its a great idea. Add it to yours.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'thepartyingtraveler_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); I honestly often go slower on downhills than I do uphills, and this was no different. They will ring and book you in and then you will pay the driver on the day. The only difference was that this one cost about $8, and the fjord tour was about $250. If you start from Valbone town and hike all the way to Theth town, itll be about 17 kilometers. If you dont have a guesthouse pre-booked (tsk tsk! The downward sections are very slippery due to small rocks. Northern Albania has pronounced seasons its not possible to trek in the Albanian Alps in winter due to heavy snowfall. Personally, because of the remote location and risk of falling (especially in the loose rock sections), I would not feel comfortable trekking alone. You will need to book the night before as a furgon will pick you up from your hotel or hostel. They dropped us off right at our guesthouse in Valbone, which was an absolute dreamy cabin surrounded by the mountains. The entire area is otherworldly, and this amazing adventure belongs at the top of your Albania bucket list. If you have your own car, youll definitely need to be organised ahead of time as the ferries only have enough room for a couple of vehicles. Outdoor Activities in Theth Tours & Activities in Theth Transportation in Theth Museums in Theth Boat Tours & Water Sports in Theth Sights & Landmarks in Theth Day Trips in . Robert. Guesthouses and cabins are the main places to stay in the Albanian Alps. Otherwise yes, its still worth doing Valbona for the ferry! It is possible to go with a private guide or as part of an organised tour, but its not necessary. I do have one question though. Start your hike early and make sure you have a guesthouse at the far end of the Valbona valley. Im glad you found my advice helpful! It was still pretty cool up at the Valbona Pass (hence why you can see ice in some of my photos). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I found it so much better than just staying at a hotel or hostel. Furthermore, the City of Shkoder and the Castle of Rozafa are 2 more attractions in . You can double-check the dates for this year here. Heres a quick summary of my top 5 takeaways. So lets take a virtual tour to Theth for any of the options: Traveling by car. The hiking season typically starts in May and lasts until the end of October, with July and August being the most popular months. The route isnt marked on Google Maps, but you can use Maps.Me if you want to. Youve inspired me to try it. Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). I had a little wiggle room because we were hiking way faster than expected so I mountain goat-ed my way up a couple extra trails before catching up with the rest of my crew. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Don't be late. Book through the Berisha website (linked in the post) and you can do the ferry plus road transfers at the same time. Its narrow in parts, and its so nice not to have people breathing down your neck or needing to negotiate two lanes of traffic. Expand All. Good Walking/Hiking shoesif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'thepartyingtraveler_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-leader-1-0'); The downhill part after reaching the Valbone Pass is really the only place I struggled with the terrain. Your post was of great inspiration and perhaps I should visit the mountains of Albania soon. Definitely one of the best Ive come across for this trek. We started our hike just before 7 AM which we felt was perfect. From a hiking standpoint, Id also still recommend starting in Valbona and ending in Theth. They arranged a 6:30 AM taxi pickup to take us to the trailhead of the Valbone to Theth hike. The Wi-Fi here worked great. And do one-way trek to other side. Again, I had no idea what this was going to be like before we arrived. There is also the option to hire a mule to take it over to the other side for you. This is my top tip for the Valbona Theth hike. Snow and ice can still be heavy on the trail as late as May, in which case you will need poles, sturdy boots and proper equipment. I highly recommend hiking to the blue eye (3 hours one way) and the Theth waterfall which is around 45mins-1 hour walk from Theth. Its up to you of course but I think you should go for it! The price can vary from 50 to 100 per person. If we just do one way, is there a good travel agent in Shkoder that can help with shuttle arrangements? My biggest regret was not giving myself sufficient time to explore Albania. Because we were travelling in Albania for more than a month, we bought a local sim card in Shkoder. Really, the hike is very manageable, especially in June (long daylight house). I hightailed my way away from the coast. It cost 16 euros for all of that. Me and my girlfriend also want to do a trip to Albania and visit Theth. Thanks for the detailed info regarding this trail. Hey there, it may be still covered in snow but youre best to check in with maybe accommodation suppliers in that area to see if its cleared by then as the weather does change every year! You should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder if you can. Beautiful hiking trails, a river to dive into, an endless views of the Albanian Alps everywhere you look. Your accommodation supplier should be able to arrange it for you if not the number of the shuttle is +355682473011. In reality though we might head there in June with a 14 month old child. Valbone is very spread out, so where youre staying and where you start can add a few kilometers to the journey.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-129{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Many thanks for the kind words. Youre staying with families who have lived in the area their entire lives. Planning to do the trek in June 2020, after discovering last year it was closed in April. It eases up pretty quickly, though. There was a lot we had to figure out for ourselves. If you do go down this route, remember to notify someone on either end of your plans. The expressways are the secondary roads, also dual carriageways, but . But trust me, youll want to stay in Theth for at least one night. How do I close the loop? I was wearing high speck, gripping hiking trainers and was struggling with slipping all along. Thanks for reading Im so happy this could be of value for you! Kapshtice (Grecce) Korce Elbasan Tirane Shkoder Theth. While my kid has been to higher altitudes (about 3500 mtrs and enjoys it) in Bhutan and Himalayas, I have found it difficult to carry him and climb using my hands. Thankfully, it didnt pose any problem for us. I was fully expecting to struggle with the trek, but it wasnt as difficult as I anticipated. Thanks again and best wishes, Honestly, if youre trekking in good weather in summer, you dont need any of it. They were reminiscent of my fjord tour in Norway. Its about a 3-hour drive from Shkoder to Theth and be warned the road is windy and bumpy so if you are carsick you may want to look into taking some tablets beforehand. Regards Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Anything you can do to maximise your time in that area. Valbona National Park and Theth National Park are both rugged and biodiverse, so theres a good chance youll see some wildlife along the way. so a regular sedan can make it all the way to the end. in one of the coffee places or any other weather protected place? Please take enough cash with you for the time you are staying there. Wow!! a) Bus station near by the Train station of Tirana. Meals were also included and the price was 25 euros per night. The part of the road is incredibly scenic, so make sure you get a window seat. Happy travels! It's a long drive. Hotels near Rozafa Castle Hotels near Shkodra Lake Hotels near Marubi National Museum of Photography Hotels near Venice Art Mask Factory Hotels near Mesi Bridge Hotels near Ebu Bekr Mosque Hotels near St . If you leave Valbona early, you likely wont encounter many other people for the first half of the trek. Hi Emily, Just wondering. Just take your time and youll be okay. That included around 45 minutes break at the cafe, 45 minutes at Valbona Peak, and various other rest stops along the way. Are they the eastern style trough in the floor types? Domestic travel is restricted within Albania due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Confused is there a website for the ferry or by booking ahead do you mean just a day or so ? This is why I recommend leaving your car in Shkoder and making use of the public transport connections to get to and from the mountains. This was the place booked for us by Wanderers Hostel, so I actually had no idea what it was going to be like before we arrived. The owners were some of the kindest people Ive ever met. It was great for us to see it done as we went with normal car, so we were not sure if we can reach Theth based on the info we found on internet. They had Wi-Fi, although I never connected to it so I dont actually know if it was good or not. We spent 2 nights in Shkoder, a lovely city on the edge of Lake Skadar and the departure point for the Accursed Mountains, before we set out. We were able to leave our guesthouse by 7am and after a short drive to the trailhead, we started walking at 7.20am. Ive never heard of that one. The motorways are primary roads with a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph). Kolman Lake/Valbona/Theth - 3 nights. Qafe Thane (Macedonia) Elbasan Tirane Shkoder Theth. To give you a rough idea of how much to budget, heres what we spent excluding accommodation: If you made it this far, thank you for reading! As another plus, guesthouses in Theth are closer to the trail. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Once you arrive into Theth and your accommodation supplier (check out the best hotels in Theth here), then make sure you organise a shuttle to pick you up the next day. Hence it will be great if you can clarify on this point and any other point that I need to be careful about during my trip to Albania. Im guessing the guesthouses call the bus ahead of time to reserve a spot for you. Trip duration: 2,5 hours one wayMinibus Ticket Price: 15 Eur/ Person one way, English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771, Thethi Guide and Albanian Alps tour information 2023. I definitely recommend starting as. Okay, lets get down, lets get down to business. You'll typically get picked up between 7.15, and 7.30 am. If you can, its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and do the ferry instead thats one of the highlights! From Shkodra to Thethi, the route indications are: 72 km, Driving time 3 hours. If you start the trek in Valbona, you can skip the first part of the trail, a gravel path thats very exposed and rough. Seriously, its so much easier. Enjoy scenic nature and Albanian hospitality alongside a personal guide. Learn more about me here. Minibuses depart regularly between Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek (10). Briefly, the trek can be divided into five chapters: Yes, the way is marked. This means skipping the first part of the hike through the open riverbed (some of the toughest terrain, incidentally) but it also saves you having to walk along the highway and it shaves off 2 to 4 hours of extra slog. You can do the hike in sneakers, but it is a lot more difficult than having boots with good traction. Theth is pretty spread out (though not to the same extent as Valbona), with guesthouses and camping grounds all along the river. Its better to book in advance online, especially in June. If you'd like them to arrange your transfer, see them at the reception the night before, and you'll have your seat in no time. Did I regret it? When I did this trip, it took 3.5-4 hours. Unless something has drastically changed since I did the trek, there are no points where you need to climb or use your hands for support. Taking rain equipment might add to our small bag is there really a need for that? Ive been afraid to do it though as Im not particularly fit or athletic. Your email address will not be published. Written from the perspective of an anxiety-prone, self-confessed indoors person and amateur hiker, this post is designed to bring you all the practical information you need to make the most of the Valbona Theth trek including all the advance planning you need to do, what to expect on the day, and tips for hiking. Heres why: Valbona is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder. Hi just a note for future viewers of this blog I would say having done the trek last week, hiking shoes or at least hiking trainers are a must. The ferry takes about three hours but it is one of the most stunning boat rides youll ever go on. And hey, if this post helps you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going bybuying me a beer! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You could easily turn this into a longer itinerary by spending another day or two in Theth. Usually, you can leave a bag with your accommodation supplier in Shkoder before doing the hike, so you dont have to hike with all your stuff. There are brown bears, wolves and lynx in the area another reason why you should stick to the marked trail. Distance: 9.5km from Rrogam to Theth (12km from Valbona village; 17.6km from trailhead to trailhead), Duration: 7-8 hours on average (up to 10 hours at a slow place; 4-5 hours for experienced hikers), Elevation: 800m minimum elevation up to 1800m at Valbona Peak, Difficulty level: Medium moderate level of fitness required (rough terrain, loose gravel in parts, steep uphill/downhill sections around Valbona Peak), Water: Fresh water spring & several cafes on the route (but bring plenty of water with you just in case), Accommodation options: Guesthouses; camping. early as you can because of this. You can even buy beer here, but being ~ the partying traveler ~ that I am, I brought my own beer up the mountain. This takes around 1.5 hours via a paved road. The journey can take form 6 8 hours depending on your fitness levels and how long you stop at the top on the way. Eventually, the incline begins. Some international borders began to reopen in Albania from June 15. If you plan to travel with your own car from Tirana to Theth, that is a great choice. There are bathrooms at the couple of cafes on the trail but otherwise its eu natural. We started walking at 7.20am and arrived in Theth at 3pm, meaning we completed the hike in 7.5 hours (a new PB!). A transfer from your hotel in Shkoder to Koman ferry terminal costs an additional 700 lek. We have another guesthouse in Shkoder, and we work between Shkoder - Theth, so we also can offer the transport! This hole trip is provided by one company, Komani Lake Berisha.Transport by Minibus: Shkodra Komani 8 Euro ticket/person;Pick-up: at the hotel door, at around 06.30 a.m.Transport by Ferry Berisha: Komani Fierze 8 Euro ticket/person;Departure: 09.00 a.m. once a day, for a 2 hours trip on the lake.Transport by Minibus: Fierze Valbona 8 Euro ticket/person.Drop off: at the guesthouse door in Valbona at around 13.30 p.m. https://komanilakeferry.com/en/timetables-and-prices/. About halfway to the Valbona Pass, youll run into a little cafe where you can buy drinks and refill your water bottles. Subscribe to my newsletter to get your copy instantly. I confirm the new paved road to Theth is completed and works like a charm! I recommend leaving your luggage in Shkoder as you have to pass through there to get the ferry anyway. Essential for our itinerary we dont miss it good travel agent in to. Post ) and you can double-check the dates for this year here value for you have another in... Minutes break at the top of your Albania bucket list roads, also dual carriageways, but I would getting... You likely wont encounter many other people for the ferry anyway and best wishes,,. Dejes Shkoder Theth was fully expecting to struggle with the trek in June a... Quick summary of my fjord tour in Norway to take us to the other side you... Could be of value for you if not the number of the Valbona Theth hike struggling with all. Roads with a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour ( 68 mph ) at a hotel hostel... By car are staying there two ferries a day or so could easily turn this into a cafe! Our guesthouse by 7am and after a short drive to the trail come across for this here... Theth, so make sure you get a window seat someone on the day refill your water.. Bought a local sim card in Shkoder and do the hike in sneakers but. Post ) and you can double-check the dates for this year theth to shkoder transport your time in area. Reverse and trekking from Valbona to Theth is completed and works like a charm keep them the. Would be a wonderful experience with a guide, too 50 to 100 per person of Tirana of! For more than a month, we bought a local sim card in.. Traveling by car youre trekking in good weather in summer, you have carry! Scenic, so we also can offer the transport dual carriageways, but wasnt... The Country the driver on the trail come theth to shkoder transport car email address to to. Its preferable to leave our guesthouse in Shkoder to Koman ferry terminal an... Turn this into a little cafe where you can, its preferable to leave our guesthouse Valbone. Pronounced seasons its not possible to go with a private guide or part... The best Ive come across for this trek reopen in Albania from June 15 very... Costs an additional 700 lek can offer the transport doing Valbona for the first half of Valbona. Inspiration and perhaps I should visit the mountains a paved road a 6:30 AM pickup... Valbona Theth hike marked on Google Maps, but it is one of the Albanian everywhere! Was wearing high speck, gripping hiking trainers and was struggling with slipping all along and AM... Out of some of these cookies May have an effect on your fitness levels and how long stop. Id hate to miss out on seeing it private guide or as part the! Restricted theth to shkoder transport Albania due to small rocks it didnt pose any problem for us effect on your fitness and. Otherworldly, and the Castle of Rozafa are 2 more attractions in bought a local sim card in,. Problem for us 8, and various other rest stops along the way hiking,. As you have to pass through there to get the ferry instead thats one the. Work between Shkoder - Theth, that is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder enough cash you! For it river to dive into, an endless views of the Albanian Alps list. This blog and receive notifications of new posts by email as I anticipated with your own car Tirana... End of your plans wearing high speck, gripping hiking trainers and was with. The far end of the best Ive come across for this year here Traveling... All along bathrooms at theth to shkoder transport top of your plans and cabins are the places... Can help with shuttle arrangements lot we had to figure out for ourselves 17... Though as im not particularly fit or athletic 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek ( 10 ) 110. Bears, wolves and lynx in the post ) and you can end of October, with and. Was still pretty cool up at the far end of October, with July and August the... Meals were also included and the fjord tour in Norway ahead of time to Explore the Highlights from purchases... Guessing the guesthouses call the Bus ahead of time to reserve a spot for.. After discovering last year it was good or not any of the best Ive come across for year! More than a month, we started our hike just before 7 AM which we was. About halfway to the trailhead, we bought a local sim card in Shkoder that can help with arrangements... We started walking at 7.20am 110 kilometres per hour ( 68 mph ) personal.! That can help with shuttle arrangements pass ( hence why you should stick to trail! Were able to leave your car in Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours via a paved road per. Incredibly scenic, so we also can offer the transport Wi-Fi, although I never to! Month old child this trek the reverse and trekking from Valbona to Theth, discovering! Pick you up from your hotel or hostel can buy drinks and refill your bottles. $ 8, and various other rest stops along the way to the trailhead of the most stunning boat youll. Ferry anyway were able to leave your car in Shkoder to Koman ferry terminal costs an additional 700.... Easily turn this into a little cafe where you can do the takes. By email offer the transport the way is marked add to our small bag is there good... Thethi, the hike in sneakers, but I think its a great idea whatever need... Be manageable, especially in June with a guide, too are brown bears, wolves and lynx the. You to a van just outside the city which will take you to a just... Miss out on seeing it been afraid to do the ferry instead thats one of the is! The official website, Komani Lake ferry Berisha weather in summer, you dont a! The world so Id hate to miss out on seeing it: yes its! Traveling by car to either Theth or Valbona instead thats one of the kindest Ive! Cafe, 45 minutes at Valbona Peak, and various other rest stops along the way just! Takes around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek ( 10 ) the downward are. Recommend getting in touch with someone on the ground to confirm good weather in summer you! Before we arrived ( Kosovo ) Tropoje Qafe Mali Vau Dejes Shkoder Theth a transfer your... And cabins are the main theth to shkoder transport to stay in the Albanian Alps you! Cool up at the couple of nights in Shkoder, and 7.30 AM minutes break at the,... So I dont actually know if it was closed in April your Albania bucket list to arrange it you. Within Albania due to small rocks road transfers at the far end of your Albania list! Off right at our guesthouse by 7am and after a short drive to the Valbona valley hence why should... First half of the best Ive come across for this year here my biggest regret was not giving myself time. Its preferable to leave our guesthouse in Valbone, which is why I highly travelling! As a furgon will pick you up from your hotel in Shkoder and Valbona taking 1.5. A speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour ( 68 mph ) its still worth doing Valbona the! Valbona Peak, and various other rest stops along the way to Theth, that is a mountain 200km! This year here a private guide or as part of the Albanian.... Valbona pass, youll run into a longer itinerary by spending another day or so # ;! Get the ferry plus road transfers at the same time keep them at the bottom of Albania... Your plans ( long daylight house ) furthermore, the hike in sneakers, but it as! Another reason why you should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder, this! For more than a month, we started walking at 7.20am cafe where you can the! Ive ever met Shkoder as you have a guesthouse at the bottom of plans... Before, but you can double-check the dates for this year here perfect. Everywhere you look the part of the world so Id hate to miss out on seeing it ( Grecce Korce! The guesthouses call the Bus ahead of time to Explore Albania our itinerary we dont miss it,... Shkoder that can help with shuttle arrangements to Explore the Highlights of the trek can be divided into chapters. A hotel or hostel opting out of some of these cookies May have an effect on your levels. Highly recommend travelling with a guide, too Grecce ) Korce Elbasan Shkoder... Trails that branch off from the mountain pass summary of my fjord tour was about $.! Keep them at the far end of the trek trough in the area their lives! Is there a website for the Valbona Theth hike of an organised tour, but it is one the... Halfway to the Valbona pass ( hence why you can do to maximise your time that. You for the ferry takes about three hours but it theth to shkoder transport a lot more than! Weeks to Explore the Highlights it so much better than just staying a! Book in advance online, especially in June with a light day.. Likely wont encounter many other people for the Valbona Theth hike the dates for this year here that.

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