Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Only to realize about 10 minutes later that my backpack had ripped open and I was missing my camera, AirPods, clothes, and other things. It cost 16 euros for all of that. I visited in October when there was some rain and the road in places was mud. The showers were hot, the beds were cozy, and for 25 euros a night, it cannot be beat. It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive from Shkodr to Theth. Reserve. Qafe Morine (Kosovo) Kukes Milot Shkoder Theth. Im not planning to stay in Shkoder for a few weeks !! They had Wi-Fi, although I never connected to it so I dont actually know if it was good or not. Theth (or Thethi in Albanian) is possibly the most beautiful place in Albania. The bottom line is that the trek can be as long or as short as you want. Getting back to Shkoder from Theth is easy by comparison (van only). early as you can because of this. These cookies do not store any personal information. Kapshtice (Grecce) Korce Elbasan Tirane Shkoder Theth. Bucket list stuff. Hey Anita! from. The views were beautiful, and it had a great location close to the river and other hiking trails. Ive yet to master using those. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. About this activity Free cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund Reserve now & pay later Furthermore, the City of Shkoder and the Castle of Rozafa are 2 more attractions in . Advertisements How To Get To Valbona from Shkoder/Tirana Lay the groundwork for a successful hike. You can double-check the dates for this year here. See the Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. Both cafes I mentioned are located on the edge of a stream and have free water. Stay overnight in Shkoder. If you plan to travel with your own car from Tirana to Theth, that is a great choice. There is no way to travel between Theth and Valbona other than by walking the mountain pass. 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. Trust me. Hani i Hotit (Montenegro) Shkoder Theth. 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. 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 Transport from Theth to Shkoder: 10 EUR (1200 LEK) for a minivan. If its going to be a bad storm, it could be quite unpleasant. 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. You can even buy beer here, but being ~ the partying traveler ~ that I am, I brought my own beer up the mountain. Again, many people were dressed in proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done the job just as well. Drinks at the mountain cafe: 2 EUR per drink. Oh, and before you go, make sure to have good travel insurance handy whenever youre out adventuring. Yes you would have to hike back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first leg by public transport. These are the two places I stayed at in Valbone and Theth. Is it a popular thing to hike both in and out of Theth? 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 first thing you need to consider when planning the Valbona Theth trek is what time of year to go. Hi Eva, lets see if anyone who has done the hike with kids can weigh in. Almost at the finish line, though! Enjoy included accommodation, meals, and all transportation, including ferry tickets. 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. You can get from Tirana to Theth by bus, by car or with a local driver/guide. The ferry takes about three hours but it is one of the most stunning boat rides youll ever go on. Find a guesthouse in Shkoder that will mind your big luggage if you book another night with them on the way back through. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Some international borders began to reopen in Albania from June 15. Im just wondering assuming I come by car to either Theth or Valbona. Regards Payment is either online (credit card or Paypal) or in cash on the day. Hence it will be great if you can clarify on this point and any other point that I need to be careful about during my trip to Albania. Its up to you of course but I think you should go for it! I have a fair amount of trekking and mountaineering experience. I was wondering how is the weather during the hike, in the mountains? Theth Valbona Hike: 27 Things You Need to Know! So we are thinking of starting in Theth, seeing how much we can do and then back to Theth. Thanks! Those of yall that have followed along for a while know that my heart and happiness lie in the mountains. Thanks for sharing! I hope you have a wonderful time there. Recommended option Drive Drive from Shkodr to Theth 2h 20m $13 - $19 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Albania You can hire a mule to carry larger backpacks (we saw a few people doing this), but I personally think its overkill. 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. Either way, your accommodation supplier will be able to organise it for you. There are lots of guesthouses in both Valbona and Theth, but I highly recommend you read the reviews and choose wisely. so a regular sedan can make it all the way to the end. There are no ATMs in Valbona or Theth, so youll need to carry whatever cash you need with you from Shkoder. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. What is the toilet situation along the trail? Its usually the weather and conditions that can make things really difficult. For a 44 the road is great fun! Mid to late June through to September is a safe bet. These are prominent and appear as often as every 50 metres on either end of the trail (although they are more dispersed as you near Valbona Peak). 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. The inclines are never too tricky or too steep. Last updated: February 28 | Data sourced from: ACAPS, OXFORD. Thank you for useful info! Guesthouses and cabins are the main places to stay in the Albanian Alps. It costs 10 euros, or about 1200 lek for the three hour journey. ( pick-up from hotel ) From Valbone to Fierze we start at 10:30am. If you do have a 44 make sure you drive it when the road is open. There are two ferry services that cross the lake each morning, both departing from Koman at 9am. Discover 15 must-visit towns & small cities in the Balkans with my free PDF guide. There isnt like a bus station or anything. Enjoy! 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. Its better to book in advance online, especially in June. The most popular way to get to Theth is from Shkoder, which is a city in the north of Albania, and a very beautiful one at that! Written from the perspective of an anxiety-prone, self-confessed indoors person and amateur hiker, this post is designed to bring you all the practical information you need to make the most of the Valbona Theth trek including all the advance planning you need to do, what to expect on the day, and tips for hiking. 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. About halfway to the Valbona Pass, youll run into a little cafe where you can buy drinks and refill your water bottles. 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! Hi Georgia! If you get lucky there might be shared vehicles leaving but I wouldn't count on it. Besides that, Theth is all nature. Are you planning to do the trek? The maximum elevation is 1,800 metres, so altitude sickness is not something you have to worry about. The motorways are primary roads with a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph). You suggest booking a few weeks ahead for the ferry and being able to pay by credit card but then say to arrange via accommodation in Shkoder. Thanks! Just a question regarding the gear. You do not need a guide to do this hike. I confirm the new paved road to Theth is completed and works like a charm! Always check the weather forecast a few days out and double-check weather conditions locally when you arrive before you set off. As I understand it, there are no regulations on camping in this area, meaning you can pitch a tent anywhere you please along the trail. There is no direct way to travel between Valbona and Theth by road. I plan to carry him for most parts of the journey. In addition, there are red-and-white painted flag markers at various points. Introduction; Day 1: Airport - Shkoder. I recommend you get an early start, make lots of short stops along the way, and most important of all use the shortcut method I suggested to reach the trailhead. Very experienced hikers might be able to manage it in as little as 4-5 hours. No more bumps or hairpin turns either! I do have one question though. You should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder if you can. I will abstain from an answer, but lets just say a warm beer at the mountain pass brought me very little satisfaction. This was a brilliant idea. Airport to Shkoder transport from . Excellent post with some really nice photos. Gazheli Petrol in Tirana,to Koman at 05:00. Whatever you need, you have to carry with you, which is why I highly recommend travelling with a light day pack only. It looks like a beautiful part of the world so Id hate to miss out on seeing it. As another plus, guesthouses in Theth are closer to the trail. Technically theres no reason you couldnt do the trek solo provided youre an experienced hiker with the correct gear. The road to Theth is done now, so any type of car can drive there. Getting from Shkoder to Theth This is certainly easier than the Shkoder to Valbona journey although more boring and sickness-inducing with winding roads and a lack of stunning views en route. Even if theyre closed, the hose will still be running. The path turns into dirt, and is flat for long stretches. 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). A good place to camp is near the cafe above Theth. A local guide could probably show you some lesser-known spots and narrate the journey. Hi Emily. Day 1: Tirana - Koman Lake - ValbonaLeave . Hi Emily, It sounds like you have a real adventure planned, Im sure you both will love it. Hope that helps Anita. That way you can just carry the bare essentials on the hike. Thanks for the really detailed overview of the hike. Expect rugged mountains and beautiful views, especially as you approach Valbona Peak. Are hiking shoes a must have for the trek or can we use regular trainers ? The only way to travel between Theth and Shoder is by shared minibus. The shuttle between Theth and Shkoder is 10 euro . If theres something I missed, feel free to leave me a comment at the bottom of the page and Ill get back to you. I did the trek in thin socks and a pair of beat-up Nikes that have holes in the toes. . Ps I assume it would still make sense to try and get to Valbona separately to do the ferry? Upon arrival, admire the village's mountain scenery, see its famed tower, discover the 100-foot (30-meter) Grunas Waterfall, and venture on an optional hike to . The heat up here can be brutal, especially as the day wears on and you start to feel the fatigue. I hightailed my way away from the coast. Also a good opportunity to support the local economy. I recommend leaving your luggage in Shkoder as you have to pass through there to get the ferry anyway. Hi Andrea, thats great to hear! In summer especially, its a good idea to book your transfers at least a few weeks in advance. The guesthouse fed us three meals a day, so we never really had to go into town except for beer.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-box-4','ezslot_11',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-box-4','ezslot_12',119,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-119{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Youre staying with families who have lived in the area their entire lives. So many of my questions went unanswered. A refillable water bottle, a light jacket and sun protection gear are all essential. 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