Safety First: costs for rescue services are covered.

5-day Theth, Valbona Valley and Komani Lake Trek (Selfguided)

Duration: 5 days
Trails: T2 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

+ Breakfast
+ All transfers mentioned in the included section
+ Ferry: Fierza Dam – Komani Dam
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Lunch & dinner

Set off on an unforgettable adventure through the wild heart of Albania, designed for travelers who love the freedom of hiking solo. This self-guided tour gives you all the independence and flexibility you want, backed by expert planning to save you time and money so you can fully dive into the beauty of the country.

Get ready to experience Albania's most breathtaking landscapes, starting with Theth National Park, where dramatic mountains meet lush valleys. Your journey will take you to the famous Blue Eye – a natural spring so turquoise you'll think it's from a fairy tale – and the stunning Grunasi Waterfall. Cross the Valbona Pass for panoramic views of the Albanian Alps before descending into the Valbona Valley National Park, home to charming villages and the historic Piramida 18. Wrap up this epic adventure with a boat ride across Lake Komani through narrow gorges toward the impressive Komani Dam and the scenic Lake Vau i Dejes – the perfect end to an unforgettable trek!

Itinerary

Day
1

Tirana / Shkodra – Theth – Blue Eye – Theth

Duration: 06:00 h
Distance: 18 km

This tour starts very early in the morning from Tirana or Shkodra. You will travel to Northern Albania by shared transport provided by our team. Please make sure you arrive at the meeting point in time to catch the local transport. (More details after booking).

On the way to Northern Albania, you will be amazed by the beautiful scenery: wild fields, rivers, Lake Shkodra, and rugged, untouched mountains. In Shkodra, we will switch to another local transport to continue our journey to Theth. As you leave the main road towards Theth, the area becomes more rural, with fewer cars but more wild nature and breathtaking scenery. Due to its favorable location, this area is famous for the cultivation of medicinal herbs. If you travel in May or June, you will be captivated by the beautiful and aromatic lavender fields, reminiscent of Provence, France. On the way to the top, you will pass a steep, winding slope that reaches 1700 meters above sea level at Qafa e Thores. It’s said that this spot offers the best photo opportunities, with perfect views of the Albanian Alps.

Take a short break for refreshments and start walking towards the Blue Eye around midday. The Blue Eye was formed by the erosion of water from the melting snow of the Albanian Alps. The walk from the village takes about 3 hours one way, covering a distance of 18 km round trip and a climb of about 700m. (If you choose to book local transport from the village of Theth to Nderlysaj, the walk will take about 1 hour each way. The cost of local transport is between 5-7 Euros per person).

This walk is classified as easy to moderate and requires some walking experience. You won’t be able to take your eyes off this stunning natural landscape, with its vibrant blues and greens, like stepping into a postcard. Fun fact: the temperature of the Blue Eye is only around 5 degrees Celsius. Would you dare to plunge into the blue but very cold water? After the walk, head back to the village center and visit the old church and the ‘lock-in’ tower, a symbol of Theth. The stories behind these buildings span centuries of history. Overnight in a traditional guesthouse in Theth.

Theth

Info
Theth
Day
2

Theth – Grunas Waterfall – Theth

Duration: 03:00 h
Distance: 6 km

After breakfast, get ready to hike from Theth to Grunas Waterfall. It takes about an hour to reach the waterfall from the center of Theth village. The walk takes you past the daily life of the villagers and the kullas (stone houses typical of the Albanian Alps).

Once you reach the waterfall, you will be amazed by the curtain of white water that flows over the grey rocks, as if poured from a bucket that never empties. The water cascades down the slope in a series of mini-waterfalls. Grunasi Waterfall was declared a natural monument in 2002. Take some time to enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Albanian Alps. Return to Theth around lunchtime. Free afternoon to explore the National Park on your own. Overnight in Theth.

Theth

Info
Theth
Day
3

Theth – Valbona Pass – Valbona

Duration: 07:00 h
Distance: 14 km

Get ready for the highlight of this trip. The trek from Theth to Valbona will be an intense day, taking about 6 to 8 hours (about 1050m of ascent) in remote terrain, but undoubtedly rewarding! The Valbona Pass offers spectacular views of the Balkan peaks and the "Accursed Mountains". Reaching the top of the Valbona Pass is a real adrenaline rush. From here, you can see both sides of the valleys. This top viewpoint is perfect for a short break and the opportunity to take amazing pictures of the Albanian Alps.

From the Valbona Pass, we descend to our next destination, the Valbona Valley, another picturesque village surrounded by high mountains. Once we reach the village, we walk to the traditional guesthouse. Overnight in Valbona.

Valbona

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Valbona
See entire itinerary

Included

  • Transfers

    Day 1: Local transport from meeting point in Tirana/Shkodra to Theth.
    Day 5: Local transport for bumpy roads from Valbona to Fierza and from Komani Lake to Vau i Dejes/Shkoder. And from Vau i Dejes to the bus station in Tirana.

  • Acccommodation in Guesthouses

    Shared accommodation for 4 nights in traditional and simple homestay/guesthouse with basic bathroom facilities. A typical room accommodates 2 to 5 travellers and it may be necessary for male and female groups to share a room (unless you book a private room).

  • Full travel guide

    We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide that includes a route description for this trek, interactive hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek

  • Activities

    All activities as mentioned in the itinerary are included in the price.

  • Breakfast

    Breakfasts are included in the price of the trek. They will be provided at the accommodation where you spent the night before.

  • Luggage transport (optional)

    Luggage transport can be booked upon request. Ask our Trekking Experts about the possibilities.

  • Ferry ticket

    The return ferry trip across Lake Komani from the Fierza dam to the Komani dam is included.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    This trip does not include costs for transportation (flights, bus travel, etc.) to your destination.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks at the bar and other similar expenses are your own responsibility.

  • Lunch and dinner

    The meals during the trek are not included in the final price, except for breakfast.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. It is important that your travel insurance also covers adventures at a high altitude. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Accommodation before and after the trek

    Before and after the trek you have to take care of your own accommodation.

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Jan Bakker
Jan Bakker
This trek is operated by
Choose Balkans

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