Cycling Through Albania

We arrive in Pogradec at our hotel on the shore of Lake Ohrid. You have the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the lakeside setting. Around 6pm, we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel to get to know one another and hear about the adventures ahead, followed by a welcome group dinner. If you would like more time in Pogradec, you can arrange additional nights before the tour through your sales representative.

We begin one of the most demanding days with a short transfer to Korçë, then start cycling, leaving the agricultural plateau behind as we climb steadily into the border mountains through a stark landscape brightened by wildflowers. We tackle a series of cols and valleys, ascending towards Grammoz Mountain and over the Barmash Pass (3,802ft/1,159m) to reach Gërmenj, a tranquil valley setting. We unwind at our accommodation, Farma Sotira, a working trout farm where meals feature organic produce from the property. After a hearty dinner, we sit by the open fire with a glass of homemade wine or a bottle of Korçë beer.

In the morning, we climb from Gërmenj to a high grassy plateau near the Greek border, ringed by soaring peaks, before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. We continue down to Çarshove and follow a corniche road high above the river to Benje on a ridge. After lunch at the guesthouse, we take a short ride to the thermal springs to relax and soothe tired muscles. Both lunch and dinner are served on the peaceful terrace.

Today is one of the easiest days as we follow the valley towards Kelcyra, where shark tooth peaks guard another gorge. We ride between the gorges until the two rivers meet. After lunch by the waterfalls of Tepelene, we drive for approximately 30 minutes across the wide plain to Gjirokastra – the City of 1,000 Steps – perched on the steep side of the Drino Valley and overlooking snow capped mountains. In the afternoon, we take a cultural tour through the city, exploring narrow cobbled alleys and 18th century Ottoman houses, and we visit a 13th century castle to learn about the town’s fascinating history.

After breakfast, we load the bikes onto the support vehicle and transfer to the Muzina Pass in about 45 minutes – the gateway to southern Albania – for a spectacular downhill ride to Sarandë. En route, we visit the ancient site of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage location close to the Greek border, with origins in the Greek and Roman eras. We have lunch at the site, then continue along the coast to Sarandë.

We climb steeply out of Sarandë to a rocky plateau and enjoy a superb coastal ride over cols into bays and around headlands, with mountains to our right and the sea to our left, before descending to Himarë, a small fishing village from the Communist era with a promenade lined with cafés, restaurants and ice cream stands. You have plenty of time for a swim in the Ionian Sea, and our hotel is a short walk from Potam Beach.

Today’s ride is as challenging as it is spectacular – the most demanding of the tour – and shows how strong we have become. We start with a climb out of Himarë, rewarded with a flowing descent, then tackle another climb before a coffee stop and another downhill, followed by a final push before we regroup. We then face a long, steady ascent to the Llogara Pass at 3,422ft (1,043m) above sea level. You can join the support vehicle if this feels too much, but if you want an extra challenge the climb brings a real sense of achievement and far reaching views. At the pass – visible even if you take the van – it is sometimes possible to see across to Italy on a clear day, and we recommend carrying a warmer layer for the summit. From here, we enter Llogara National Park, a protected expanse of forest home to black pine, Eurasian otter and golden eagles. We descend to lunch in the park, then continue down towards our hotel by the sea just outside the city, where we can relax and take a dip – the perfect reward for a hard day’s cycling.

This cycling journey through Albania ends after breakfast. If you would like a restorative break after the trip, you can speak to your sales representative about extending your stay at our hotel by the sea in Vlorë.