Why Albania's Valbona and Theth Valleys Are a Hiker's Paradise
Albania’s beautiful alpine landscape is still quite unknown to tourists and that’s exactly why they remain an untouched paradise for hikers and nature lovers. We take a look at the reasons why you should be booking a trip there soon.
Lots of Great Accommodation Options
If you’re one of those hikers who also likes a bit of comfort then Albania’s Valbona and Theth valleys have lots of great accommodation options that range from camping grounds with a view of the mountains, to pensions with great restaurants. A lot of the locals have also turned their traditional homes into guesthouses, which means you’ll have the chance to live in a traditional Albanian house with local hosts who know the area very well.
Amazing Food
Beautiful Untouched Nature
If you need to spend some quality time with nature, Albania is the perfect destination. With the sun constantly shining, you’ll be alone with the mountains, forests, streams, birds, and alpine pastures. We recommend taking a lunch with you on your hike so you can take a break at an altitude with a great view and take off your shoes to enjoy it.
Not Too Many Tourists
As mentioned, Albania is still not entirely developed in terms of tourism, which means that during your hike you’ll be able to enjoy your solitude and connection with nature without being disturbed by groups of other hikers and tourists. Of course, you will inevitably come across a few foreigners from Europe, but not so often that it will be an intrusion.
Great Hiking Paths
Apart from the amazing six-hour Valbona Pass that crosses to the Theth Valley through the mountains, the two valleys have their own selection of marked hiking paths that lead to the peaks of the surrounding mountains. You can really spend a whole week in Albania hiking on a daily basis and returning to a warm room and meal in the evening.
Great Weather
A very important factor for hikers are the weather conditions and Albania has uninterrupted sunshine throughout the summer, even late into October. That means you can definitely plan your hike without having to worry about any sudden changes in weather. A lot of the marked hiking paths are only closed between November and May, which means that you can go hiking in Albania anytime except the winter.
Super Friendly Locals
Albanians are an exceptional people that are always smiling and open to helping you even if they don’t speak any English. The shepherds in the mountains will want to take a photo with you and every local you meet will greet you with a smile. At the guesthouses your hosts will make you feel like you’re at home with their deep sincerity.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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