Albania Walking Adventure

Arrive in Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital. Around 6pm we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel – a relaxed welcome to the journey ahead. We then set out on an orientation walk through the centre, tracing the city’s Ottoman, fascist and Communist chapters alongside its modern reinvention. We take in Skanderbeg Square and lively Toptani Street – and if you would like to see a little more, you can dip into the fashionable Blloku district, once reserved for Party elites. The evening ends with a group dinner arranged by our tour leader. If you want extra time in Tirana, you can book pre tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

After breakfast we leave Tirana around 8am for a scenic drive through Albania and into Kosovo. Our goal is Prizren, an Ottoman influenced city of mosques, churches and fortifications – we spend about an hour exploring the old town, and you have time after to enjoy a coffee or lunch on Shadervan Square. Crossing back into Albania via the Morinë checkpoint, we continue to the Valbona Valley where the Albanian Alps rise in dramatic fashion. After checking in at our hotel in Valbonë village, we set off on a 1 hour 30 minutes circular hike to around 3,280ft 1,000m above sea level, passing traditional stone houses and farmsteads with sweeping mountain views, while our tour leader shares the region’s history and culture.

After a hearty breakfast we depart about 8.30am to begin the hike to Rama Hut. The trail is gentle yet rewarding through Valbona Valley National Park, ideal for walkers in good condition who love the outdoors. We move from Alpine meadows to rocky passes and quiet forests, with ever broader views of the Albanian Alps – perfect photo stops as we pass old shepherd huts. After roughly three hours we reach Stani i Rames, a remote mountain area with wide open views, where we rest and enjoy a packed lunch provided by the hotel before retracing our steps to Valbonë. This evening we tuck into a traditional dinner and unwind after the day’s efforts.

We leave Valbonë around 8am for a one hour transfer to the village of Çerem – the start of today’s hike. Following white–red–white waymarks, we begin a moderate climb through mixed forest and meadows. After about 4 miles 6km the path reaches an old military memorial and a small bar, close to a stone inscribed to mark the border with Montenegro. Keeping to the signs towards Montenegro, we continue on woodland trails broken by open clearings. The route leads through more forest to a small hut where we can refill bottles and enjoy drinks, then on to Doberdol, a remote Alpine village set against towering mountains. We stay here tonight – you can explore extra trails or simply relax in the stillness. Accommodation is basic with shared outdoor facilities, adding to the immersion in this remarkable setting.

From Doberdol we hike to the remote village of Sylbice. Soon after setting off we reach Dashi Lake, a serene glacial pool framed by high peaks – a short pause to take in the crystal clear water. The trail then climbs steadily to the day’s high point at 6,695ft 2,040m, a tougher section rewarded by panoramic views, before descending into the Sylbice valley. On arrival in Sylbice we have lunch, then take a two hour transfer to Bajram Curri, gateway to the Albanian Alps.

After a one hour transfer we board a boat for a peaceful two hour journey across beautiful Koman Lake, winding between high cliffs and towering peaks. Three hydroelectric plants on the lake produce around 70 percent of Albania’s electricity. We then drive about 2 hours 30 minutes to Kruje, centre of Skanderbeg’s resistance to the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Depending on arrival time, you may have free time to visit the Skanderbeg Museum inside Kruja Castle or to wander the old town and soak up the atmosphere.

We travel about 2 hours 15 minutes to Berat, celebrated for its distinctive Ottoman era architecture. With our tour leader we explore the city’s highlights, beginning at the hilltop Berat Castle where we wander cobbled lanes lined with traditional homes and churches. We then visit the Dollani House, a classic Albanian residence from the late 19th century that offers insight into local culture and design. Finally we discover the famed quarters of Mangalem and Gorica – Mangalem on the north bank of the Osum with its tiers of Ottoman style houses, and across the river Gorica with its narrow streets and distinctive character.

Your journey through one of Europe’s last truly wild landscapes now draws to a close – it is time to pack away your boots and begin the journey home. If you would like to extend your stay, speak with your sales representative to arrange an add on.