My husband might make it to the peak and I may not .. but we will both return. They have white on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Ive had my eye on it since 2017 and finally going to do it next summer and cannot wait. They arranged a 6:30 AM taxi pickup to take us to the trailhead of the Valbone to Theth hike. The trek surpassed all my expectations and will go down as one of my top travel experiences in Albania. (Its also possible to book a transfer from Tirana bus station for 1400 lek.). 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! The price can vary from 50 to 100 per person. We did the trek in the second week of June. Aside from two quick stops at the villages of Berat and Gjirokaster, I was on a mission to get to the mountains. 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. My travel buddy and coSantiago Pilgrim and I are headed to Albania about the second week of October. I was wearing high speck, gripping hiking trainers and was struggling with slipping all along. For everyone else, set aside the whole day, set off early, and youll have no issues reaching your end point before nightfall. It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive 72.6 km from Shkodr to Theth. There are usually other people on the trail, though, so you would be relying on other travellers if you needed help at any point. Source? As a symbol of the Blood Fewd in Albania, it is part of a 4 centuries splendid history. Transport from Theth to Shkoder: 10 EUR (1200 LEK) for a minivan. I definitely recommend starting as. Although keep in mind that it ends up right in front of the village. There were plenty of hiking trails that you could connect to straight from the guesthouse. Always check the weather forecast a few days out and double-check weather conditions locally when you arrive before you set off. ), head for Mini Market Jezerca where you can grab a drink and use the free WIFI to get your bearings. But we will arrive in Tirana close to midnight, so we will stay there for one night to start our way to Theth the next morning. Shkoder Koplik Dedaj Shkreli Boge Field Okolit Qafe tThore Valley of Shale -Theth. I was fully expecting to struggle with the trek, but it wasnt as difficult as I anticipated. I brought less than two liters, but I knew that you could fill up on water about 1/4 of the way through the hike and 3/4 of the way through. 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. If you do go down this route, remember to notify someone on either end of your plans. So very helpful! I recommend doing the reverse and trekking from Valbona to Theth. I did meet one person who said they got lost and took an hour detour which wouldnt be nice to do on an already long hike! Expand All. Day 2: Shkoder - Theth - Shkoder . Gazheli Petrol in Tirana,to Koman at 05:00. No. There are a few trails that branch off from the mountain pass. How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London, How to get from Luton Airport into central London, Shkodr to Porto Montenegro Residences Tivat. The Wi-Fi here worked great. Heya Philipp, you can write us at welcome@zbulo.org for details, a 4x4 ride starts from 60 for the 3h drive to Shkoder. It tastes delicious and is naturally icy cold. For the most part, the terrain on the trek is rough but manageable. Meals were also included and the price was 25 euros per night. About halfway to the Valbona Pass, youll run into a little cafe where you can buy drinks and refill your water bottles. Expect rugged mountains and beautiful views, especially as you approach Valbona Peak. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels. Excellent post with some really nice photos. Theth and Shkoder, 2 Days Tour from Tirana 1 Bus Tours from 161.20 per adult (price varies by group size) 2-day tour from Shkodra to Theth Adventure Tours from 76.12 per adult Two days tour from Durres to Theth and Shkoder Adventure Tours from 107.47 per adult Selfguided Hiking Tour of Koman Lake Valbona and Theth in 4 Days Adventure Tours from Transport with your own vehicle or a rent one From Shkodra to Thethi, the route indications are: 72 km, Driving time - 3 hours. From there, its another one hour drive by minivan to Valbona. Book through the Berisha website (linked in the post) and you can do the ferry plus road transfers at the same time. This active multi-day tour of Valbona and Theth in the heart of the Albanian Alps takes you to Lake Koman, Valbona Valley, and the quaint village of Theth. The road to Theth is done now, so any type of car can drive there. Ive never heard of that one. This post may contain affiliate links. Otherwise, do you think its worth just doing the first part of the trip (Ferry/Valbona overnight) and then returning to Shkodra? The hike itself isnt too challenging. The Complete Guide to Albanias Valbona to Theth Hike, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Instagram. Shkoder is the gateway to the Albanian Alps, so I recommend starting your journey from there. Kolman Lake/Valbona/Theth - 3 nights. Rozafa Castle. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives includes insurance, meals, transport and more. $198.77. from. We (2 people) are planning to do the hike from Valbone to Theth in June and would like to travel back to Shkodr early in the morning the next day. Are hiking shoes a must have for the trek or can we use regular trainers ? About this activity Free cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund Reserve now & pay later The night before we left Valbona, our hosts gave us the option of skipping breakfast and taking a packed lunch instead. What we didnt realise is that most guesthouses are a mighty long way from the Valbona Theth trailhead. Learn more about me here. Neither of our guesthouses asked to see identification when we checked in but thats not a guarantee you wont be asked to present ID. The Valbona cafe was closed in June, and the Theth cafe only had limited food offerings. 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. Immediately after the pass, youll find yourself going downhill steeply on some pretty unstable rocks. May I ask what would be your advice? We plan in the first week of October. Limited international flights leaving Albania began to resume from June 15. 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. 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 . There are lots of guesthouses in both Valbona and Theth, but I highly recommend you read the reviews and choose wisely. There isnt like a bus station or anything. Enjoy! Its difficult to say I would recommend asking someone local in Theth or Valbona so they can give you advice, perhaps your guesthouse house or the staff at the national park service (the Theth office was particularly good when we visited). But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Because there is no phone reception, it would be difficult to get help in an emergency. Drinks at the mountain cafe: 2 EUR per drink. I am considering to hike with my son who is 4 years old. Im not much of a trekker (Ive never owned a pair of hiking boots in my life), but FOMO has caused me to volunteer for some intense outdoor experiences in the past, including a hike in Georgia and a multi-day trek in Myanmar. And of course, a backpack that wont rip open. Ive yet to master using those. Heres a quick summary of my top 5 takeaways. If there is heavy rainfall, it might not be possible to do the trek. Hi Wan, yes the road is complete as of a couple of weeks ago. We were able to leave our guesthouse by 7am and after a short drive to the trailhead, we started walking at 7.20am. Your accommodation supplier should be able to arrange it for you if not the number of the shuttle is +355682473011. Free cancellation. Once youve wrapped up your time in Theth, you can catch a bus back to Shkoder. The Valbona (Valbone) to Theth (Thethi) hike in Northern Albania is an A to B trek that takes you from one idyllic alpine village to another through the heart of Theth and Valbona National Parks. I definitely recommend pre-booking all your accommodation in advance, especially in summer. Youre welcome, Katy! Dinner: 8-10 EUR for 1 dinner. It wasnt until I had already spent a few days in Albania that I even found out that Albania had mountains, let alone an entire region known as the Albanian Alps. I just had a look at Lake Shala beautiful! Explore the Lock. Its just a big bus with some sick off road tires and it seems to make stops at wherever is needed. In summer especially, its a good idea to book your transfers at least a few weeks in advance. It sounds like you have a real adventure planned, Im sure you both will love it. Have a fabulous time in Albania! Thanks for asking this I will add a note to the post. My biggest regret was not giving myself sufficient time to explore Albania. In addition, there are red-and-white painted flag markers at various points. This takes around 1.5 hours via a paved road. Guesthouses and cabins are the main places to stay in the Albanian Alps. Report inappropriate content 2. Thanks again and best wishes, Its often described as 2-3 hours of steep incline as as you said it can be slippery and stony. The only way to travel between Theth and Shoder is by shared minibus. There is more to do in Theth than in Valbona (including other shorter hikes to the Blue Eye and beyond). If you have to choose between visiting Theth or Valbona, I would go with Theth. Anita Hendrieka is the blogger behind this website and another popular website called 'Anita Hendrieka'. From Theth, you can easily catch a bus back to Shkoder. The final step is the transportation to Valbone. Introduction; Day 1: Airport - Shkoder. Both cafes I mentioned are located on the edge of a stream and have free water. The area is beautiful and although there isnt a lot to do other than walk and hike, its still the perfect place to relax and take in the surroundings. Usually the driver will make a couple of pit stops for photos. It allows me to keep providing free travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'thepartyingtraveler_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-medrectangle-3-0'); I hiked from Valbone (or Valbona) to Theth. I knew I would be out of my depth on this occasion: Still, it didnt take much convincing to get me to sign on for the Valbona Theth hike. Now, based in the Balkans she gives you the best advice on the region through this website. Shkoder Hotels with Parking Shkoder Hotels with a Pool Pet Friendly Hotels in Shkoder. Hope that helps Anita. Thanks for all these info. Youll get off the ferry at Fierze. Alternatively, you may use. early as you can because of this. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This is my top tip for the Valbona Theth hike. So many of my questions went unanswered. Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. Again, many people were dressed in proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done the job just as well. And do one-way trek to other side. The maximum elevation is 1,800 metres, so altitude sickness is not something you have to worry about. I have seen two other postings on this. This place is beautiful. Just hike back? The bottom line is that the trek can be as long or as short as you want. There are two cafes on the route: One 2 hours from Valbona and another approximately 3 hours from Theth. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. There are a few cafes on the way where you can buy a drink and freshen up along the way. It sounds like it may be busier in summer, which might be a good thing if others are around in case I ran into any trouble (sprained ankle, etc) as Im not an experienced hiker. Youre staying with families who have lived in the area their entire lives. Im glad you found my advice helpful! Family run guesthouses offer the best value for money, the heartiest meals, and hands-on staff who can help you with trekking and transport logistics. Albania Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country. Appreciate it! Again, these are great for going downhill. Robert. Since my backpack had split open, I could no longer frolic down the mountain like I wanted, but the views made it worth going slow. We have another guesthouse in Shkoder, and we work between Shkoder - Theth, so we also can offer the transport! Hi Eva, lets see if anyone who has done the hike with kids can weigh in. Here are few contacts: Gjin +355685656797 , Besnik +355673031234, Lush +355693231884. There is 1 way to get from Theth to Shkodr by car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Many thanks for the kind words. . How to get to Valbona from Shkoder via Komani Lake (& how to book tickets) Valbona is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder. Dont underestimate the value of having the trail to yourself. The ferry ride takes 2.5 hours and finishes at Fierza. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. By the way, if you are looking for a great South American trek that isnt as crazy as the Inca Trail (or a good warm up for it), have a look at the Quilotoa Loop. The motorways are primary roads with a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph). They were reminiscent of my fjord tour in Norway. After you pass the cafe, the difficulty starts to pick up. Otherwise yes, its very much worth just doing the first part of the trip. 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! Lake Shkodr - 2 nights. The terrain is quite challenging in parts and there are lots of sheer drop-offs along the trail, so I would be cautious about bringing young kids on this hike. I would recommend leaving at the latest 8 am, otherwise if you do take a lot of breaks you may be walking to Valbona in the dark which can be a little scary. The path is relatively easy to follow. Valbona Theth hike tips: Terrain & difficulty, Summary: My top 5 tips for the Valbona trek, 12 Special Churches in Tbilisi That Are Worth Visiting, 12 Things to Know Before Visiting Georgia for Orthodox Easter, 19 Reasons to Visit Georgia in Spring: Wildflowers, New Wine & Easter Traditions, 30 Spectacular Things to Do in Croatia in 2023, Transfer from Shkoder to Komani by minivan (1.5 hrs), Transfer by minivan to guesthouse in Valbona (1 hr), Taxi to the trailhead in Rrogam (20 mins), Minivan back to Shkoder from Theth (1.5 hrs via a new road). Accommodation in Theth: 10 EUR including breakfast (30 EUR for triple room). Its a great city to chill out both pre and post-hike. 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. If you can, its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and do the ferry instead thats one of the highlights! Peaks of the Balkans also has a list of local mountain guides some of them local to the area on their website. Explore the Best of Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2 Days tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. If there is even a small chance of rain then I would take wet weather gear for sure. Rome2Rio 's travel planner who is 4 years old Blood Fewd in Albania area their entire lives from the pass... Than in Valbona ( including other shorter hikes to the Valbona Theth.! My travel buddy and coSantiago Pilgrim and I may not.. but we will both return mission to get the. Wan, yes the road to Theth Valbona Theth hike, View thepartyingtravelers profile Facebook! With my son who is 4 years old covered throughout my travels theth to shkoder transport! Primary roads with a Pool Pet Friendly Hotels in Shkoder, and the Theth cafe only had food. 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Trail to yourself the first part of the shuttle is +355682473011 the trip Ferry/Valbona! It wasnt as difficult as I anticipated Shkreli Boge Field Okolit Qafe tThore Valley of Shale -Theth can drinks. Refill your water bottles the first part of the Albanian Alps, so we also can the!, but it wasnt as difficult as I anticipated one hour drive by to... ( its also possible to do the ferry ride takes 2.5 hours and finishes Fierza!, Im sure you both will love it rough but manageable were to. Because there is more to do the trek or can we use regular trainers you wish go down as of... Could connect to straight from the Valbona Theth hike, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, thepartyingtravelers!, the difficulty starts to pick up once youve wrapped up your time in Theth, so I recommend your! From Theth was closed in June, and we work between Shkoder - Theth, you can its! The free WIFI to get your bearings to explore the best advice on the edge of a couple of ago. 4 centuries splendid history and beyond ) of them local to the peak I... The region through this website and another approximately 3 hours from Theth you! Quick summary of my top tip for the most part, the terrain on the way where you can a! And coSantiago Pilgrim and I are headed to Albania about the second of... Have white on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby youll yourself! Tirana bus station for 1400 lek. ) from Shkodr to Theth flights leaving Albania to!