Overview of Valbona Pass
Albania has most of the landscape, mountainous terrain and offers numerous hiking trails for outdoor activities at North of the country where are the Albanian Alps, part of the Peak of the Balkans. The most known Albanian Alps hiking trail is Valbona Pass. Valbona and Theth National Parks are two valleys and the hiking trail between the two villages is called Valbona Pass or hiking trail Valbona -Theth or the other way around.
We visited the National Parks some years ago, Alket Theth and I Valbona, and these places were tattooed on our memory. A new visit was on its way and this time we went hiking too. We travelled for three intensive days in September- October last year and it was a unique adventure. We can’t recommend the place enough. If Albania is on your radar, let’s dive together on the Valbona Pass guide.
Planning an Albanian Alps hike can be quite challenging because there is limited online information. In recent years many agencies have organised their tours but of course, they cost more. We hiked last year and starting from our experience, we created a free travel guide for Valbona Pass hiking to help you travel on a budget and adventuriously.
Below in this guide for Albanian Alps hiking – Valbona Pass includes the best time to visit, how to go, what to pack, the hiking, where to start and the costs of the activity.
Best time to travel
The best time to travel in the Albanian Alps – Valbona Pass is shoulder season, May-June and September-October when the weather is pleasant, with convenient prices and without the crowds. In the morning and the evening it gets cold in the mountains so bring a windbreaker jacket.
How to go there
The easiest way to reach Valbona or Theth is through a tour but it is pricey. The good thing is, you can do it by yourself with vans and ferries.
After landing at Tirana International Airport and spending one night or two in the capital city, you have two choices to start the hike: Theth and Valbona. Either way, wake up early because most of the vans run in the first part of the day.
From Theth
You should take a van at the South and North Albania Bus Terminal (Bus Station in Tirana) to Shkodër. The distance between the two cities is 100 km and normally it takes one hour and a half but taking into account, the stops and traffic, the route takes longer. After arriving in Shkodër, close to Demokracia Square, you can take the van for Theth. The trip from Shkodër to Theth is 75 km and it takes two hours. After arriving and relaxing in Theth, you can start hiking Theth to Valbona.
From Valbona
Arriving in Valbona takes more effort and time. So, let’s start. You should take a van at the South and North Albania Bus Terminal (Bus Station in Tirana) this time to Koman. Tirana to Koman is 130 km but since the last part of the road is not in good condition it takes a minimum of three hours. Apart from that, the van has multiple stops during the trip and it delays the time of arrival.
After reaching Koman, take the ferry to Fierza. The ferry ride from Koman to Fierza is one of the most beautiful experiences in Albania and the trip is a must in North Albania. The Komani Lake offer mind-blowing views throughout the two-hour ride. After two hours, this ferry leaves you in Fierza and you can go to Valbona for another hour but plan your transportation for this route online or ask your accommodation contact. The road is in good condition and goes through Valbona Valley.
Apart from the public transport, you can always take your car or rent one in Tirana. The ferry in Komani Lake can take your car to Fierza. Be careful though, at the last kilometres of the difficult road before arriving in Koman.
What to pack
We have written a detailed blog post about what packing for men and women in general in warm weather but packing for hiking is something else. The Valbona Pass hiking is considered moderate level and the packing list should be taken seriously. Having the necessary accessories with you makes the hike easier and more enjoyable.
The list is as follows only for the hike :
- Smartphone and charger
- Portable charger
- Camera
- A backpack
- Hiking sticks
- 2 hiking shirts
- 1 hiking long-sleeved shirt
- 1 Windbreaker jacket
- 1 pair of hiking pants
- 1 pair of hiking socks
- 1 pair of hiking shoes
- suncream
- 1 reusable water bottle
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- Travel first aid kit
- Water
- Snacks
Try to take all the mentioned items with you because they are not much. A small backpack is more than enough and you can carry it by yourself. We are becoming minimalist with time 😉 and I like it.
The hiking
Albanian Alps hiking – Valbona Pass goes through impressive views of the Alps and in my opinion, is a must-do activity in the country. Our trail was 17.7 km and took us four hours and a half without the pauses. In addition, the trail is marked but for your security, we recommend booking a guide as the best thing to do. Close to the peak, the trail gets tricky and professional guidance is necessary.
You can start the trail from Valbona or later on in Rrogam. The distance from Valbona to Rrogam goes through a riverbed and takes a lot of time. Our guide sent us to Rrogam with a 4×4 car and this was the starting point for us. Rrogam has an elevation of 1100 m above sea level. The first hour of the trail goes through a forest with alpine trees and getting higher, the view of Valbona Valley is behind you. There are rest stops during the trail to relax or refill with water.
At 1500 m above sea level till the peak, 1759 m, it gets harder and there is less vegetation. The panoramic views though are unmatched. If the sky is clear you can watch the Jezerca mountain peak, the second highest mountain in Albania.
At Valbona Pass, the peak is quite windy so it is better to change the shirt and rest for some time to enjoy the unique panoramic views. Vabona Pass is a special place because, from the other side of the peak, you can enjoy the Theth Valley too. Hell of a place and I am so glad that we did it.
After some minutes, it is time to go down to Theth at almost 800 m. That means, the distance is short and the trail is steep. You will be happy to have your hiking sticks with you. The first minutes go through a narrow path and then through a big forest with many trees. Here you can find stops too, pretty authentic ones with their local food and decorations.
The ending point of the trail was Gjelaj Theth for us. We were very happy with the hiking. It was a great experience in nature, with the guide and the other couple that was with us. After arriving in Gjelaj a car took us to Theth where we continued the rest of our plans.
Valbona to Theth or the other way around
You are free to choose the direction of the trail from Valbona to Theth or Theth to Valbona. I recommend starting it from Valbona. If you begin the trail from Theth, the steeper part, you will get tired sooner and it will make the hiking less enjoyable. On the other way, from Valbona, the trail is easier and more practical.
Costs of Albanian Alps hiking – Valbona Pass
For Albanian Alps hiking – Valbona Pass I suggest at least three days in total. From these, one day is the hiking, two half days to go in Valbona/Theth and the rest, one day you can use the time to relax or explore more Theth and Valbona National Parks.
Mobility
Van Tirane- Koman 12 €/person
Ferry Koman-Fierze 10 €/person
Van Fierze-Valbone 8.5 €/person
Van Theth-Shkoder 13 €/person
Van Shkoder-Tirane 7 €/person
Accommodation
50 -130 €/ night breakfast +dinner included
Food
10 €/person/day
Miscellaneous
15 €/person
Total per day
Budget – 40 €/person
Mid-range -70 €/person
The cost of the guide depends on the agency you book and the type of service you need.
Above is all the information you need to know about the Albanian Alps hiking – Valbona Pass. If you have any other questions, feel free to write to us! Enjoy and Happy Travelling!
