This walking holiday is great for active, outdoors-loving people who love walking and for those with a flexible, adventurous attitude. This walking holiday shows you the beauty of pristine nature and culture in the Albanian Alps where you will be hosted by local families.
Enjoy their hospitality while discovering the stunning beauty of the Valley of Valbona, the Valley of Thethi, and the small village Nderlyse.
You can book this tour as a private departure via the enquire now button.
| TOUR: | Hike from Valbona to Thethi and discover the ‘Blue Eye’. | ||||||||||||
| TYPE: | Guided hiking holiday | ||||||||||||
| CODE: | W 4.1 | ||||||||||||
| LEVEL: | Challenging | ||||||||||||
| PRICE: | Ask a quote from our direct sales department | ||||||||||||
| DATES: | May-October | ||||||||||||
| NIGHTS: | 3 | ||||||||||||
| DAYS: | 4 | ||||||||||||
| HIKING DAYS: | 3 | ||||||||||||
| ACCOMODATION: | Local Guesthouses | ||||||||||||
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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*Private tour
If you wish to do this walking holiday on a different date, please contact us via the enquire now button. We have guides who can speak Albanian, English, Italian, French, German, Italian, Dutch or Spanish.”
Essential Info:
Level of the tour: Challenging
This tour’s difficulty level is challenging, and demands you to be in excellent physical shape. The paths are not always in the best of conditions and markings can be scarce. Day-treks may have big ascents and descents. Changing weather conditions (even in mid-summer) can play an important role when trekking in remote areas, and may cause changes in the scheduled route.
Normally, the treks are between six to eight hours a day. Prior trekking experience is an advantage, but not necessary for those who are in very good shape. During the hikes, you are required to personally carry your own day rucksack. The main luggage will be transported on a mule/ horse or vehicle.
What to bring:
Breathable light-weight waterproof gear (gore-tex, sympatex, etc), fleece/wool pullover, wind-stopper jacket, gloves, small backpack with rain coverage, cap, sun block, mosquito repellent, head lamp, hiking poles, water bottle, sunglasses.
Terrain during the hikes
This trail is characterized by lots of descents and ascents. The route passes over engraved relief representing alpine terrain with steep slopes, mountain river valleys carved into the mountains, rocky peaks, belts of mountain pine, etc. However, the chosen paths are mostly well trodden underfoot and safe.
Good to know
Pick-up location
Central Shkoder, to be specified at booking confirmation
Drop-off location
Central Shkoder, to be specified at booking confirmation
Luggage transport
The hike from Valbona to Thethi is accompanied by a mountain mule/horse that carries the luggage. It is therefore important that you pack your luggage in a bag, not a suitcase. You will carry your own day backpack. From Thethi to Boga, a vehicle will transport the luggage to Boga. From there we drive back to Tirana.
Hiking route
We reserve the right to modify the hiking route, in case of presence of snow.
Children policy
Children joining this tour should have experience with hiking. Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
Land only
The “OA” tours are Land Only; the prices do not include your flight, nor transport to and from the airport to hotel. You must make your own way to the starting point of every tour. If you would like us to arrange a transfer for you from the airport to your hotel or from your hotel to the beginning point of the tour please let us know at booking or contact us via the enquiry
To Valbona via Koman Lake Ferry
Early in the morning we gather in the center of Shkoder and begin our journey towards the remote Albanian Alps. After a scenic drive, we arrive in Koman, where we board a ferry for a breathtaking ride across the narrow, winding lake—an unforgettable experience through towering canyon walls.
Once we disembark in Fierze, we continue by local transport into the Valbona Valley. Here, surrounded by alpine peaks and rich cultural traditions, there’s time to relax and explore the area at your own pace.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Valbona.
Hiking over the Valbona Pass to Theth
We start early with a short transfer to Rrogam (900m), the trailhead for today’s long but rewarding hike. The 6–8 hour trek takes us across the Valbona Pass (1948m), connecting the two most famous valleys of the Albanian Alps.
As we climb through rugged, pristine landscapes, we pause for a picnic lunch and to refresh ourselves at natural springs. The descent into the remote village of Thethi (750m) offers sweeping mountain views before arriving at our traditional accommodation.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Theth.
Exploring Thethi and hiking to Nderlyse
This morning we explore more of Thethi’s cultural heritage with a visit to the historic Kulla (defensive tower). Afterwards, we begin a scenic 4-hour hike to the nearby village of Nderlyse (500m), following forest trails and riverside paths.
Along the way, we stop for a peaceful picnic in nature. The landscape here is lush and unspoiled, offering a calm contrast to the high mountain terrain of the previous day.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Theth or Nderlyse.
To the Blue Eye Spring and return to Shkoder
We begin our final day with a 2-hour walk to the magical natural spring known as the “Blue Eye” (670m). The vivid turquoise pool is a perfect spot to reflect on the journey through the Albanian Alps.
Around noon, we start our transfer back to Shkoder, arriving in the afternoon with time to unwind and reminisce about the adventure.
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