Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Albania
The Albanian Alps aren't messing around, they connect ancient villages through paths that've been walked for centuries. Trek from Valbona to Theth across the Valbona Pass, swim in the Blue Eye, and check out the Lock-In Tower's fascinating history. Visit Theth National Park, take a ferry ride across Komani Lake, explore remote valleys like Kukaj and the Rugova Gorge - it's real adventure territory.
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We had a fantastic adventure on this trip with our guide, Hergen. Really an unforgettable experience. I’d say the hikes are moderate—not technical, and we were walking for eight hours on the valbona to Theth hike so it’s perfectly manageable if you have a reasonable fitness level
3-Day Tour Albanian Alps: Komani Lake, Valbona, Thethi National ParkPeaks of the Balkans is a very beautiful but at times very challenging hike with steep parts and long stretches of gravel roads where you are completely exposed to the sun. Also, water supply is not always good along the trails so you need to carry plenty of water. We did the hike in early August and decided to take a taxi parts of the stretches to avoid the gravel roads. A lot of others did the same, so that can be recommended. Especially the last 5 km from Theth to Valbona, the first 5 km from Valbona to Çerem (if you take the valley route) and the first part from Çerem to Doberdol. The guest houses will be happy to help you with this and will charge about 10 euro per person. Overall, the friendliness and helpfulness from the people we met, from owners of guest houses to the staff that picked us up in Tirana and drove us to the starting point is worth mentioning. We were also very pleased with Brikena at Choose Balkan who continuously sent us WhatsApp messages to check that we were ok and that we had safely arrived to the guest houses by night. At one point, we wanted to change guest houses and she was super helpful. She was also a hero to arrange luggage transport with short notice so if you get her as your operator, consider yourself lucky!
Semi - Private Tour; Peaks of the Balkans - Theth, Valbona & Koman LakeThe Albania walking holiday was absolutely fantastic - excellent, friendly and knowledgable guide (Erenik), challenging and interesting walking, stunning scenery and great food.
Hiking the Albanian Alps
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- Semi - Private Tour; Peaks of the Balkans - Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake
10 best Hiking & Trekking Albania tour packages
Compiled by
NinaAlbania travel expert at TourRadar
- 3-Day Tour Albanian Alps: Komani Lake, Valbona, Thethi National Park
- Semi - Private Tour; Peaks of the Balkans - Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake
- Self-guided Albanian Coastal Trail: Discover Hidden Gems of the Ionian Coast (8 days)
- 5 Days Hiking Tour to Valbona and Thethi
- Hiking the Albanian Alps
- Thethi Valley 2 Days Tour from Tirana
- Mini Tour: National Parks of Theth & Valbone
- Albania’s Alpine Adventure: Theth and Valbona in 5 Days
- 3 Days Hiking to the Albanian Alps , Valbona pass
- All inclusive 8 Days Hiking & Adventures Around Albania, North & South - Fully Guided ,Small Group
3-Day Tour Albanian Alps: Komani Lake, Valbona, Thethi National Park
“Really an unforgettable experience.”
Amy, traveled in August
Trek the famous Valbona to Theth trail through Albania's national parks, combining boat tours, hiking, and swimming in a 3-day adventure priced around $150/day. Walk the 12.7km mountain pass with 1,100m elevation between valleys, see the Church of Theth and Lock Tower.
Duration 3 days Destinations Tirana, Koman, Fierze, Bajram Curri, Valbone, Theth, Boge, Shkoder Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Distance 177 mi Operator LIT Travel and Tours From
- US$456
Semi - Private Tour; Peaks of the Balkans - Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake
“It was a very fun experience and everything was well organized.”
Christian, traveled in December
The 48km Albanian trail network includes: 18km Blue Eye circuit (700m elevation), 14km Valbona Pass (1050m), and 16km Piramida 18 loop (1180m). Theth's historic sites and traditional villages punctuate challenging mountain ascents. Guides rated 4.8/5 lead the way.
Duration 5 days Destinations Tirana, Shkoder, Theth, Nderlysaj, Valbone, Kukaj, Koman Age Range Ages 12+ Distance 189 mi Operator Choose Balkans From $1,104
18% Off- US$905
Duration 5 days Destinations Tirana, Krujë, Lezha, Shkoder, Koman, Valbone, Theth Age Range Ages 20+ Operated in English, French Distance 180 mi Operator Enjoy Travel and Tours From
18% Off- US$1,476
Hiking the Albanian Alps
“The waterfalls and pools were a lovely way to finish the final hiking day.”
Mitzi, traveled in June
Albanian alpine terrain beckons with Valbona National Park's meadows and the demanding Valbona Pass (850m ascent). Daily routes cover 6-11km with up to 850m elevation gain, showcasing wildflower fields, limestone formations, and optional Blue Eye pool visits.
Duration 8 days Destinations Tirana, Koman, Valbone, Kukaj, Theth, Nderlysaj, Boge, Shkoder Age Range Ages 16+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 173 mi Operator Explore! From
18% Off- US$1,690
Thethi Valley 2 Days Tour from Tirana
“Brilliant tour. Her knowledge on the history of Albania was incredible. I would definitely book with her again.”
Claire, traveled in July
Duration 2 days Destinations Tirana, Shkoder, Theth, Nderlysaj Age Range All Ages Welcome Distance 154 mi Operator Albania My Way ltd From
18% Off- US$421
Mini Tour: National Parks of Theth & Valbone
“The trip was great! Varied, interesting and in accordance with our request.”
Line, traveled in October
The 14.3km Theth to Valbona route climbs 1168m through stunning terrain. Grunas Waterfall, Blue Eye pools, and Accursed Mountains form the backdrop for expert-guided excursions with traditional mountain lodging.
Duration 4 days Destinations Tirana, Shkoder, Theth, Nderlysaj, Valbona Valley National Park, Fierze, Koman Age Range Ages 14+ Operated in English, German, Italian Physical Rating Moderate Distance 175 mi Operator Good Albania From
18% Off- US$1,285
What our customers ask about Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Albania
What are the best hiking trails in Albania for different skill levels?
Albania's terrain accommodates hikers of all abilities with well-marked paths across its diverse landscape. Newcomers to hiking can start with the Blue Eye trail near Theth a 6-hour walk with gentle climbs totaling 700m. Those with more experience will find the Valbona Pass trek rewarding with its 1050m ascent over 6-8 hours. For seasoned hikers the Mount Korab route presents a robust 8.5-hour journey reaching 2764m. As one TourRadar traveler mentions "The hike was challenging but in the best way possible with our guides being knowledgeable and supportive through all the ups and downs."
What is the best time of year for hiking in Albania?
The hiking calendar in Albania peaks from June through September. The warmest conditions appear in July and August especially in northern regions like Theth and Valbona Valley. Those seeking moderate temperatures will find June and September more suitable for extended walks. Coastal paths including those in Llogara National Park are best explored during spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October). According to TourRadar travelers "September was perfect for hiking with pleasant temperatures and clear visibility of the stunning mountain landscapes."
Where do you stay during multi-day hikes in Albania?
The accommodation network spans from family homes to mountain shelters along hiking routes. Traditional Guest House Theth welcomes visitors with local hospitality while remote spots like Doberdol provide basic shepherd's shelters at 1800m. The Peaks of the Balkans route includes stays at established venues like Hotel Meridian in Shkoder and rustic lodges in Valbona Valley. As one TourRadar traveler notes: "The guesthouses were clean with plenty of food though bathroom facilities were basic. The hospitality of local hosts made up for any basic amenities."
What are the most popular hiking trails in Albania?
The signature routes include the path from Valbona to Theth through the Albanian Alps the cross-border Peaks of the Balkans trail and the coastal walks of Llogara National Park. Valbona Valley National Park features notable day hikes including the Kunji i Rragamit peak at 1868m offering valley panoramas. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The Valbona Pass hike was the absolute highlight - the views of both valleys from the top were breathtaking."
How accessible are the hiking trails from major cities?
The main hiking areas connect well with urban centers. From Shkodra a 3-hour drive leads to Theth National Park while Valbona Valley requires a mix of road and water transport. Coastal trails near Vlora including Llogara National Park take about 4 hours to reach from Tirana. As one TourRadar traveler mentions: "The journey to trailheads was part of the adventure with spectacular mountain roads and friendly local transport."
What cultural experiences can I expect while hiking in Albania?
The hiking paths thread through Albania's living cultural landscape. Theth offers visits to the Lock-in Tower which tells the story of the traditional Kanun law. Local families open their homes to hikers at places like the Valbona Valley Guesthouse serving traditional meals. In Doberdol visitors can observe the seasonal rhythm of shepherd life. One TourRadar reviewer mentioned: "The local food was home grown and fresh! The guesthouse owners really made us feel at home."