And damn, they did not disappoint. By car, I recommend hiring a 4 x4 car for your safety. Shkoder Ski Lodges Shkoder Pet Friendly Beach Hotels. 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. ( pick-up from hotel ) From Valbone to Fierze we start at 10:30am. Rozafa Castle. Eventually, the incline begins. I hightailed my way away from the coast. Me and my girlfriend also want to do a trip to Albania and visit Theth. How do I close the loop? Theyll cook meals for you and know all the best things to do in the area. Heres a quick summary of my top 5 takeaways. early as you can because of this. Most of the trail is a white rocky path that is very easy to distinguish from the terrain around it. You'll typically get picked up between 7.15, and 7.30 am. The journey can take form 6 8 hours depending on your fitness levels and how long you stop at the top on the way. 26 Incredible Things to do in Tirana, Albania. Paul. Im doing the same trek solo the last week of May 2020. Sunscreen is also essential. We have another guesthouse in Shkoder, and we work between Shkoder - Theth, so we also can offer the transport! First, you take a minivan from your accommodation in Shkoder to the ferry terminal at Koman. You can do the hike in sneakers, but it is a lot more difficult than having boots with good traction. Almost all guesthouses and hostels in Shkoder provide transportation from Shkoder to Theth in Albania. I was told the last bus leaves at around 1:30 2:00 in the afternoon. The trek surpassed all my expectations and will go down as one of my top travel experiences in Albania. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It is possible to go with a private guide or as part of an organised tour, but its not necessary. Source? 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. 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. 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. It might be better to link up with other travellers the night before and set out together the next morning this should be fairly easy to do through your first guesthouse. If you have any questions relating to getting to Theth make sure you leave them below and I will do my best to answer them for you. Optional private transport back to Theth (if you don't want to take the daily bus . Starting in Theth and hiking to Valbona is the more popular route. afe Prush (Kosovo) Tropoje Qafe Mali Vau Dejes Shkoder Theth. Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments. per adult. Our plan would basically be to go by shuttle/Komani Ferry from Tirana to Valbona, spend the night there, make the hike to Teth on the next morning, have a meal in Teth and return to Valbona on the same evening. Both cafes I mentioned are located on the edge of a stream and have free water. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. The hike itself isnt too challenging. 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. Its safe to drink the tap water in both Valbona and Theth as well. There are two cafes on the route: One 2 hours from Valbona and another approximately 3 hours from Theth. Ive only been sunburnt once in my life, but I never want to feel that pain ever again. Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. However, I do recommend that you stay a couple of nights in Theth as there are some great things to do in the area. Regards Lake Shkodr - 2 nights. It is very helpful! Shkoder - Koplik - Dedaj Shkreli - Boge - Field Okolit - Qafe t'Thore - Valley of Shale -Theth. We had a few hours before it got too hot, and by the time the sun started beating down us, we were in the shady downhill stretch of the hike. - every morning at 07.00 a.m. from Shkodra, once a day; - every afternoon at 11.00 a.m. from Thethi, once a day. Because there is no phone reception, it would be difficult to get help in an emergency. Ps I assume it would still make sense to try and get to Valbona separately to do the ferry? Still undecided about getting a guide. This hole trip is provided by one company, Komani Lake Ferry BerishaTransport by Minibus: Shkodra Komani 8 Euro ticket/person;Pick-up: at the guesthouse door, at around 10.00 a.m.Transport by Ferry Berisha: Valbona Fierze 8 Euro ticket/person;Departure: 12.00 a.m. once a day, for a 2 hours trip on the lake.Transport by Minibus: Koman Shkodra 8 Euro ticket/person.Drop off: at the hotel door in Shkodra at around 17.00 p.m. For more info visit the link https://komanilakeferry.com/en/timetables-and-prices/, Where: Rus, Shkoder, Ura e Maxharrit square. Recommended Drive Drive from Theth to Shkodr 2h 20m $13 - $19 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Albania There are usually other people on the trail, though, so you would be relying on other travellers if you needed help at any point. How Easy Is It To Get Cocaine in Colombia? Im glad you found my advice helpful! I definitely recommend starting as. 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 am considering to hike with my son who is 4 years old. It eases up pretty quickly, though. b) Van station near by Zogu i Zi crossroads . Hey Kim! Are you going to trek from Valbona to Theth or try the reverse route? Seriously, its so much easier. This place is beautiful. Im not planning to stay in Shkoder for a few weeks !! If you leave Valbona early, you likely wont encounter many other people for the first half of the trek. The stunning Valbone to Theth hike only left me wanting more, but I have no doubt that Ill be back in this region someday. Qafe Thane (Macedonia) Elbasan Tirane Shkoder Theth. Youre most welcome, Monique! Northern Albania has pronounced seasons its not possible to trek in the Albanian Alps in winter due to heavy snowfall. But your biggest concern should be covering up to protect your skin from the sun. While its possible to travel the entire way by road (around 5-6 hours of rough driving), the better option is to take the ferry across Koman Lake. English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771, Thethi Guide and Albanian Alps tour information 2023. I think the pass would still be manageable, but I would recommend getting in touch with someone on the ground to confirm. They arranged a 6:30 AM taxi pickup to take us to the trailhead of the Valbone to Theth hike. Illana. From there, its a few hours to get to where youll take the ferry. Again, these are great for going downhill. The motorways are primary roads with a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph). Youve inspired me to try it. As for trekking solo another option, although its less reliable of course, is to team up with some other hikers once you arrive. Make sure to bring plenty of water. Ive yet to master using those. Expand All. If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going bybuying me a beer! Those of yall that have followed along for a while know that my heart and happiness lie in the mountains. Almost at the finish line, though! Amazing! This takes around 1.5 hours via a paved road. If its windy, it also makes things a lot trickier. Guesthouses and cabins are the main places to stay in the Albanian Alps. Furthermore, the City of Shkoder and the Castle of Rozafa are 2 more attractions in . 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. And: did anyone by any chance do his trip with a small child / baby? We are all quite fit but since with a child you never know their moods I wanted to ask if anyone knows: would it be possible in worst case to sleep anywhere on the way e.g. Close to Bar Malesia.Time-table: every morning 06.00 a.m. from Vermosh, once a day; Return to Vermosh around 12.00 am. Robert. Most of the way youll be walking on stone paths that are relatively flat and even. You wont save much money for the extra effort it takes to try and organize everything on your own. We spotted three grass snakes (non-poisonous) and a small, unidentified mammal. Peaks of the Balkans also has a list of local mountain guides some of them local to the area on their website. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. We will find the perfect tour or create a custom tour so you can visit and enjoy this destination and more. If you dont have a guesthouse pre-booked (tsk tsk! There is 1 way to get from Shkodr to Theth 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. Immediately after the pass, youll find yourself going downhill steeply on some pretty unstable rocks. Just a question regarding the gear. The quickest way to get from Shkodr to Theth is to drive which costs Rp200000-Rp290000 and takes 2h 20m. Hi Wan, We are planning to be there next week, leaving our luggage in Shkoder and do the hike like you recommended. Explore the Lock. There are several fresh water sources on the route where you can replenish your refillable water bottle. a) Bus station near by the Train station of Tirana. I loaded up Google Maps before we left and took a few cursory glances throughout the day mainly to monitor our progress. Dinner: 8-10 EUR for 1 dinner. In the lead up, I sifted through a lot of inspirational content about the Valbona Theth hike. 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. The cost-effective way to get from Shkodr to Theth is to drive, which costs Rp200000-Rp290000 and takes 2h 20m. 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 If you start from Valbone town and hike all the way to Theth town, itll be about 17 kilometers. A boat drops you off and picks you up the next day to take you to Valbona. 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. What do you think ? Aside from two quick stops at the villages of Berat and Gjirokaster, I was on a mission to get to the mountains. Payment is either online (credit card or Paypal) or in cash on the day. Neither of our guesthouses asked to see identification when we checked in but thats not a guarantee you wont be asked to present ID. Learn more. I was wearing high speck, gripping hiking trainers and was struggling with slipping all along. Dont underestimate the value of having the trail to yourself. When you click on and/or make a purchase through an affiliate link placed on this website, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.Thanks for your support! Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Minibuses depart regularly between Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek (10). 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. From Shkodra to Thethi, the route indications are: 72 km, Driving time 3 hours. Like I mentioned earlier, the hostel I stayed at also organized pretty much everything for me. Enjoy scenic nature and Albanian hospitality alongside a personal guide. Kakavije (Grecce) Gjirokaster Fier Tirane Shkoder Theth. So lets take a virtual tour to Theth for any of the options: Traveling by car. Trip duration: around 2 hours one way Minibus Ticket Price: 10 Eur/ Person one way Pick-up: is offered from the hotel door in Shkodra, at around 07.00 a.m. Drop off: Guesthouse door. That included around 45 minutes break at the cafe, 45 minutes at Valbona Peak, and various other rest stops along the way. Are you planning to do the trek? 1. These are the two places I stayed at in Valbone and Theth. You can even buy beer here, but being ~ the partying traveler ~ that I am, I brought my own beer up the mountain. Our accommodation, for example, was a full 9km from the start of the trail thats almost the same distance as the hike itself! At 7 AM the next morning, take a bus from Shkoder to Theth (3 hours, 10 euros). Thanks for the really detailed overview of the hike. The route an old mule trail winds through the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps) and over the Valbona Pass, a landscape of rocky peaks and deep ravines shared between Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. They had Wi-Fi, although I never connected to it so I dont actually know if it was good or not. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There are no border crossings and no security checkpoints on the trail itself. Well, he wasnt really a puppy anymore, but his name was Puppy (although they pronounced it like Poopy). Your guesthouse in Theth can easily arrange this for you. If you get lucky there might be shared vehicles leaving but I wouldn't count on it. The entire area is otherworldly, and this amazing adventure belongs at the top of your Albania bucket list. Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Albania. You should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder if you can. I dont think its possible to sleep somewhere along the way, unless some purpose-built accommodations have popped up since I was there. If you can, its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and do the ferry instead thats one of the highlights! I cant wait to visit Albania. Copyright 2015-2023 Emily Margaret Naughton Lush. It sounds like you have a real adventure planned, Im sure you both will love it. Your post has been bookmarked. Albania was full of surprises. Theres a great tour that you can do from Shkoder that takes you to the village of Theth and tour of the church, blood tower, the canyon and Waterfall of Grunasi. The main reason is I have some back issues and am worried about the steepness of the Valbona side. This post may contain affiliate links. Advertisements How To Get To Valbona from Shkoder/Tirana This is such a nice post: I wanna board the plane today and go straight to Teth. Hani i Hotit (Montenegro) Shkoder Theth. Thanks a lot for your prompt reply! Hi Emily, When I did this trip, it took 3.5-4 hours. In my opinion, Theth is a much nicer place to relax for a few days. Meals at our guesthouses cost us between 7 and 10 Euros per person, and drinks (coffee, beer) a couple of Euros each. I wore a long-sleeved skivvy, comfy exercise shorts and a light scarf. Heres why: Valbona is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder. Learn more. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Meals were also included and the price was 25 euros per night. Chances are you will share your seat with some homemade bread the true Balkan way! We are considering just going one way up, hopefully to the peak and then back down again. If you plan to travel with your own car from Tirana to Theth, that is a great choice. Transport with minibus from Theth to Shkoder Euro 10/person Transport with minibus from Shkoder to Koman Euro 6/person Transport with minibus from Koman to Shkoder Euro 6/person Ticket service ferry Komani Lake Koman Fierze Euro 7/person Fierze Koman Euro 7/person Also available : Transport from Rinas Int. If its going to be a bad storm, it could be quite unpleasant. Honestly, if youre trekking in good weather in summer, you dont need any of it. Yes, the driving distance between Shkodr to Theth is 73 km. Always check the weather forecast a few days out and double-check weather conditions locally when you arrive before you set off. Enjoy! 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. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Again, many people were dressed in proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done the job just as well. There is a van that leaves from Shkoder at 7 am and costs 10 per person. For the most part, the terrain on the trek is rough but manageable. Have a fabulous time in Albania! Also a good opportunity to support the local economy. Theres a market and a restaurant about 10 minutes away in the direction of the end of the trail. Anita Hendrieka is the blogger behind this website and another popular website called 'Anita Hendrieka'. There are two ways to do this trek: By walking from Valbona to Theth (like we did) or by doing the route in reverse. Most people recommend having a medium level of fitness to do the hike. We started our hike just before 7 AM which we felt was perfect. See the Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. Thanks for asking this I will add a note to the post. About this activity Free cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund Reserve now & pay later Although it was about a 10-15 minute walk from the center of Valbone village, it was absolutely worth it for the location. 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. But the more I read, the more anxious and intimidated I felt. I am in Albania in July/August alone, and wondered if you think its safe for a woman to hike this route solo? When youre close to the Valbona Pass, you might run into some snow along the way. In the end, we triumphed and had an amazing day. c) Thethi vans station , vans of 8 to 10 places, in Rus area. There are a few cafes on the way where you can buy a drink and freshen up along the way. The showers were hot, the beds were cozy, and for 25 euros a night, it cannot be beat. Besides that, Theth is all nature. The Complete Travel Guide to Chacahua, Oaxaca | Mexico, The Best Party Destinations In Mexico | The Partying Traveler, The Complete Guide to Visiting Xochimilco | Mexico City, The Best Travel Destinations to Visit in Morocco | 2023, The Backpackers Travel Guide to Essaouira, Morocco | 2023, The Backpackers Travel Guide to Marrakech | Morocco, The Ultimate Backpackers Guide to Traveling in Georgia, The Backpackers Travel Guide to Barcelona, Spain | 2023, The Ultimate Guide to Nightlife in Prague | 2022, The Backpacker's Guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Thanks for the rest of the information which was very very useful. We are planning on doing this in a few days and the forecast is full of thunderstorms on and off for the next few days. (Actually the mammal was carrying another, smaller mammal in its mouth, so technically we saw two animals.). From Theth, you can easily catch a bus back to Shkoder. 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. Briefly, the trek can be divided into five chapters: Yes, the way is marked. There is a van that leaves from Shkoder at 7 am and costs 10 per person. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aed89f797d37662949d6db19ef56f4a8" );document.getElementById("g1a5e7aece").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. Just take your time and youll be okay. That is an incredible price for the long, but beautiful journey. There is no direct way to travel between Valbona and Theth by road. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Currently, they are paving a new road which will mean cars will be able to drive there in the near future, which is exciting! 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 . Once youve wrapped up your time in Theth, you can catch a bus back to Shkoder. Thanks for reading Im so happy this could be of value for you! It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive 72.6 km from Shkodr to Theth. Note: Theth is very isolated and there are no ATMs in the village or Valbona. There are no ATMs in Valbona or Theth, so youll need to carry whatever cash you need with you from Shkoder. 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. 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. ), head for Mini Market Jezerca where you can grab a drink and use the free WIFI to get your bearings. There are some shorter hiking routes around Valbona that you could do too. If you need anything, theyll have a solution. I have seen two other postings on this. 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. Thanks for all the good information. It looks like a beautiful part of the world so Id hate to miss out on seeing it. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives includes insurance, meals, transport and more. If you get lucky there might be shared vehicles leaving but I wouldn't count on it. I recommend doing the reverse and trekking from Valbona to Theth. It will then take you to a van just outside the city which will take you all the way to Theth. After spending over a month island hopping in Greece, I only had eyes for those mountains. We are located in the heart of trails cross of which you can visit the whole area of Albanian Alps.
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