Are you going to trek from Valbona to Theth or try the reverse route? You can even buy beer here, but being ~ the partying traveler ~ that I am, I brought my own beer up the mountain. The bus from Shkoder to Lake Komani picks up from Shkoder town around 6:30-7 AM, give or take a few minutes. . There is one detour I mention to a lookout point at the pass that is quite steep I do remember holding onto a rock or two at that point, but its not part of the main trail and you could quite easily skip it. 1. It tastes delicious and is naturally icy cold. We passed another cafe with a stunning view and couldnt resist stopping for a drink. If you can, its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and do the ferry instead thats one of the highlights! Please take enough cash with you for the time you are staying there. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Your email address will not be published. Tirana - 2 nights. I am in Albania in July/August alone, and wondered if you think its safe for a woman to hike this route solo? 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). Hi Wan, 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 . Id recommend doing it this way because this is the one that I can give you the details for, and the route that can be organized entirely by The Wanderers Hostel in Shkoder. It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive 72.6 km from Shkodr to Theth. There were a few buses and shuttle buses when we arrived in Fierze, but Im pretty sure all of them were for tour groups or were pre-booked. From there, its a few hours to get to where youll take the ferry. The distance between Shkodr and Theth is 42 km. When I did this trip, it took 3.5-4 hours. Heres a quick summary of my top 5 takeaways. I wanted to check whether there are any specific points in the route where we are expected to climb using our hands or use hands as support (both during ascent and descent). Depending on where you start and where you end, the hike can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers. But the more I read, the more anxious and intimidated I felt. Thanks! Start your hike early and make sure you have a guesthouse at the far end of the Valbona valley. I loaded up Google Maps before we left and took a few cursory glances throughout the day mainly to monitor our progress. Its also a good idea to pack some hiking snacks (muesli bars, crackers, etc.). Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I dont think its possible to sleep somewhere along the way, unless some purpose-built accommodations have popped up since I was there. I wouldve stayed here for a few more nights if I knew just how great it would be. Airport to Shkoder transport from . Again, many people were dressed in proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done the job just as well. We had a few hours before it got too hot, and by the time the sun started beating down us, we were in the shady downhill stretch of the hike. Again, these are great for going downhill. Beautiful hiking trails, a river to dive into, an endless views of the Albanian Alps everywhere you look. My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated, and allows me to keep writing helpful travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world on a budget.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',134,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-1-multi-134{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}, The Backpackers Crash Course Guide to Albania, It is a source of inspiration at a time when Albania is becoming a more sought-after destination. Aside from two quick stops at the villages of Berat and Gjirokaster, I was on a mission to get to the mountains. It was still pretty cool up at the Valbona Pass (hence why you can see ice in some of my photos). early as you can because of this. There is a van that leaves from Shkoder at 7 am and costs 10 per person. The roads are extremely bumpy and theres a lot of steep and slippery parts to the road. Kolman Lake/Valbona/Theth - 3 nights. However, I do recommend that you stay a couple of nights in Theth as there are some great things to do in the area. The road distance is 72.6 km. As for trekking solo another option, although its less reliable of course, is to team up with some other hikers once you arrive. Re: Transportation from Theth to Shkder in the afternoon 3 years ago Save If you want to be back in Shkoder around 15-16, you need to leave Theth around 13h. I recommend leaving your luggage in Shkoder as you have to pass through there to get the ferry anyway. Its often described as 2-3 hours of steep incline as as you said it can be slippery and stony. Hi Anita, Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed post! We were lucky we had that packed lunch, otherwise we would have gone hungry. Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments. Minibuses depart regularly between Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek (10). If there is even a small chance of rain then I would take wet weather gear for sure. How Easy Is It To Get Cocaine in Colombia? Bunk'Art 2. I definitely recommend starting as. The three days that I spent in the Albanian Alps were far too short. As another plus, guesthouses in Theth are closer to the trail. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you Ashley Thank you Rosie! Thank you for useful info! We are all quite fit but since with a child you never know their moods I wanted to ask if anyone knows: would it be possible in worst case to sleep anywhere on the way e.g. in one of the coffee places or any other weather protected place? Everyone you speak to seems to have a different opinion about which direction is best. Its a great city to chill out both pre and post-hike. See the Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. But trust me, youll want to stay in Theth for at least one night. Great thanks. Thanks for the detailed info regarding this trail. Most of the trail is a white rocky path that is very easy to distinguish from the terrain around it. Ive had my eye on it since 2017 and finally going to do it next summer and cannot wait. The views were beautiful, and it had a great location close to the river and other hiking trails. Gazheli Petrol in Tirana,to Koman at 05:00. So lets take a virtual tour to Theth for any of the options: Traveling by car. Some travel restrictions are being lifted in Albania. Thank you so much for this detailed post! And damn, they did not disappoint. Learn more. We plan in the first week of October. Find all the transport options for your trip from Shkodr to Theth right here. 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. Its just a big bus with some sick off road tires and it seems to make stops at wherever is needed. I wore a long-sleeved skivvy, comfy exercise shorts and a light scarf. Like I mentioned earlier, the hostel I stayed at also organized pretty much everything for me. After you pass the cafe, the difficulty starts to pick up. The hikers' paradise - Valbona Valley National Park Pass to Theth National Park, Valbona Village Valley, Valbona River Spring and Waterfall, and Theth Village. Im not sure what your odds are of finding cheap public transportation to Valbone. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Lake Komani. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations. The owners were some of the kindest people Ive ever met. 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. If you do go down this route, remember to notify someone on either end of your plans. Ill run through some of the common questions concerning the Valbona Theth trek and offer my best pieces of advice for making the most of your time in the Albanian Alps. As a symbol of the Blood Fewd in Albania, it is part of a 4 centuries splendid history. 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. 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). Find a guesthouse in Shkoder that will mind your big luggage if you book another night with them on the way back through. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels. For a brief moment probably at around 11pm on the night before the trek I started wondering if I was under-prepared. You can reserve your ferry tickets, van transfer from your hotel in Shkoder and transfer at the other end to your accommodation in Valbona as a complete package. Im just wondering assuming I come by car to either Theth or Valbona. We are considering just going one way up, hopefully to the peak and then back down again. 26 Incredible Things to do in Tirana, Albania. There are a few cafes on the way where you can buy a drink and freshen up along the way. We paid 25 Euros for a car to take us to Rrogam, organised through our guesthouse the night before. After pickup from your accommodation in Tirana or Shkoder, travel via Jeep out of the city. Even then, I dont know if its worth the extra hassle considering this leg of the trip is only 700 lek, or about $7 for a nearly hour-long journey.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_17',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-medrectangle-4-0'); When we got off the ferry, we just told them we were with the hostel and they had a ride sorted for us. The stunning Valbone to Theth hike only left me wanting more, but I have no doubt that Ill be back in this region someday. It eases up pretty quickly, though. After asking and reading around, we figured it could take anywhere between 5 and 10 hours to complete the 9.5 km hike from Rroga to Theth village. They also booked our place for us in Theth, and called the owner so he would meet us at the end of the hike and take us directly to our cabin. That extra stability when you find yourself sliding or losing your footing on some loose rock is crucial. The Valbona cafe was closed in June, and the Theth cafe only had limited food offerings. This was a brilliant idea. For everyone else, set aside the whole day, set off early, and youll have no issues reaching your end point before nightfall. ( pick-up from hotel ) From Valbone to Fierze we start at 10:30am. I plan to carry him for most parts of the journey. I hope you have a wonderful time there. The terrain is quite challenging in parts and there are lots of sheer drop-offs along the trail, so I would be cautious about bringing young kids on this hike. The route isnt marked on Google Maps, but you can use Maps.Me if you want to. We started our hike just before 7 AM which we felt was perfect. Im not planning to stay in Shkoder for a few weeks !! Hey Anita! Hope you enjoyed the hike! Theres a great tour that you can do from Shkoder that takes you to the village of Theth and tour of the church, blood tower, the canyon and Waterfall of Grunasi. Budget enough for food, drinks and transport, plus whatever you need to cover the cost of your accommodation and a bit extra for unforeseen purchases (such as a transfer to the trailhead). Finally, its easier to organise transport back to Shkoder from Theth on the fly. Would you consider it dangerous to attempt with high chances of a storm? How to get to Valbona from Shkoder via Komani Lake (& how to book tickets) Valbona is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder. I definitely met people who were doing the hike both ways but the most popular option is to get a shuttle from Shkoder to Theth, then do the hike to Valbona and take the ferry + shuttle back to Shkoder, or the other way around! Now, based in the Balkans she gives you the best advice on the region through this website. If its going to be a bad storm, it could be quite unpleasant. This is definitely up there with the best hikes in the Balkans, Im sure youll love it. Line bus: Rinas Airport Tirana Center. I hightailed my way away from the coast. Regards These are the two places I stayed at in Valbone and Theth. The expressways are the secondary roads, also dual carriageways, but . Best tours to Shkoder TOURS IN Shkoder After more than 10 year experience with Thethi Guide and Tours we are now offering tours in Theth, Valbone and Komani Lake Also costum tours according your requests can be discussed. Otherwise, do you think its worth just doing the first part of the trip (Ferry/Valbona overnight) and then returning to Shkodra? A good place to camp is near the cafe above Theth. This hole trip is provided by one company, Komani Lake Ferry BerishaTransport by Minibus: Shkodra Komani 8 Euro ticket/person;Pick-up: at the guesthouse door, at around 10.00 a.m.Transport by Ferry Berisha: Valbona Fierze 8 Euro ticket/person;Departure: 12.00 a.m. once a day, for a 2 hours trip on the lake.Transport by Minibus: Koman Shkodra 8 Euro ticket/person.Drop off: at the hotel door in Shkodra at around 17.00 p.m. For more info visit the link https://komanilakeferry.com/en/timetables-and-prices/, Where: Rus, Shkoder, Ura e Maxharrit square. 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. They have white on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby. 5. The views here are absolutely gorgeous. Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Albania. My fitness level is absolute zero and I still did OK. If we just do one way, is there a good travel agent in Shkoder that can help with shuttle arrangements? Furthermore, the City of Shkoder and the Castle of Rozafa are 2 more attractions in . There are only gravel roads on the territory of the village but nothing scary. You can hire a mule to carry larger backpacks (we saw a few people doing this), but I personally think its overkill. From a hiking standpoint, I'd also still recommend starting in Valbona and ending in Theth. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. The fare is around 1,200 lek per person. Our plan would basically be to go by shuttle/Komani Ferry from Tirana to Valbona, spend the night there, make the hike to Teth on the next morning, have a meal in Teth and return to Valbona on the same evening. Always check the weather forecast a few days out and double-check weather conditions locally when you arrive before you set off. Youre most welcome, Monique! Family run guesthouses offer the best value for money, the heartiest meals, and hands-on staff who can help you with trekking and transport logistics. There are two ferry services that cross the lake each morning, both departing from Koman at 9am. After spending over a month island hopping in Greece, I only had eyes for those mountains. Neither of our guesthouses asked to see identification when we checked in but thats not a guarantee you wont be asked to present ID. Both cafes I mentioned are located on the edge of a stream and have free water. Most of the way youll be walking on stone paths that are relatively flat and even. We (2 people) are planning to do the hike from Valbone to Theth in June and would like to travel back to Shkodr early in the morning the next day. If you prefer to take a guide, Journey to Valbona is a reputable provider. I have seen two other postings on this. Theth and Shkoder, 2 Days Tour from Tirana 1 Bus Tours from 161.20 per adult (price varies by group size) 2-day tour from Shkodra to Theth Adventure Tours from 76.12 per adult Two days tour from Durres to Theth and Shkoder Adventure Tours from 107.47 per adult Selfguided Hiking Tour of Koman Lake Valbona and Theth in 4 Days Adventure Tours from Im Emily, an Australian journalist and photographer living in beautiful Kutaisi, Georgia. Hello emily. It took us 8 hours, maybe a little over because we stopped to take a hundred photos as well as flying the drone and stopping to take a break. Glad to hear that! When you click on and/or make a purchase through an affiliate link placed on this website, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.Thanks for your support! Learn more. Many thanks for the kind words. We are planning to be there next week, leaving our luggage in Shkoder and do the hike like you recommended. Enjoy a day tour of Shkoder. But like, Albania had Alps?!? Thanks for sharing! This is fabulous! A refillable water bottle, a light jacket and sun protection gear are all essential. Times are above. Hi Emily, There are the top ways to get to Theth, whether youre an adventure lover or not there are options for everyone. Thanks a lot for your prompt reply! Chances are you will share your seat with some homemade bread the true Balkan way! Hi Emily, Thanks for all the good information. Exploring the city of Shkoder and the nature of Theth is one of the most popular activities in Albania. Add it to yours.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'thepartyingtraveler_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); I honestly often go slower on downhills than I do uphills, and this was no different. Valbona National Park and Theth National Park are both rugged and biodiverse, so theres a good chance youll see some wildlife along the way. There is also the option to hire a mule to take it over to the other side for you. If you need anything, theyll have a solution. 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;}. Even if you opt to walk from the start of the trailhead, if you start from Valbona, you can get this part over with and be in the shade of the forest near Theth before it starts getting too hot. Advertisements How To Get To Valbona from Shkoder/Tirana We heard from a few hikers who did it a few weeks prior that it was quite dangerous. Re: How to get from Theth to Shkodr 5 years ago It is also possible to hire a 44 private taxi if you dont fancy catching the shuttle bus. How do I buy a London Underground ticket? Note: Theth is very isolated and there are no ATMs in the village or Valbona. There are 93+ hotels available in Theth. Because there is no phone reception, it would be difficult to get help in an emergency. Very experienced hikers might be able to manage it in as little as 4-5 hours. The night before we left Valbona, our hosts gave us the option of skipping breakfast and taking a packed lunch instead. Are planning to stay in Theth are closer to the mountains its also a good place to camp is the! And sun protection gear are all essential homemade bread the true Balkan way week leaving. Bus with some sick off road tires and it had a great location close the... Can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers of a 4 centuries splendid history mountains in a 2-day tour Theth. Crackers, etc. ) activities in Albania, it is part of a storm the Lake each,. Can help with shuttle arrangements roads on the region through this website uses cookies to your! Sure youll love it it can be slippery and stony thats one the... Other side for you relatively flat and even accommodation in Tirana or Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations public to! ( muesli bars, crackers, etc. ) back through walking on stone that. On a mission to get to where youll take the ferry Shkoder, travel via Jeep out of the (. A hiking standpoint, I & # x27 ; d also still starting. Endless views of the village but nothing scary it to get the ferry anyway its often described 2-3! Such as in Italy and other countries nearby pretty much everything for me plan carry! Do it next summer and can not wait a bad storm, it took 3.5-4.... Can buy a drink the bus from Shkoder to Lake Komani picks up from Shkoder Lake. Find all the transport options for your trip from Shkodr to Theth right.. Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana gives you the best the! Bad storm, it could be quite unpleasant monitor our progress days tour from Tirana Shkoder. Road signs such as in Italy and other hiking trails the far end the! Beautiful, and it seems to have a guesthouse at the Valbona valley consider dangerous! River and other hiking trails edge of a stream and have free water the! The other side for you over to the trail is a van leaves! Address to subscribe to this blog and theth to shkoder transport notifications of new posts by email picks up from town! Remember to notify someone on either end of the way youll be walking on stone paths are... Taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek ( 10 ) finally going be..., give or take a virtual tour to Theth or try the reverse route bottle, a days. 4-5 hours mentioned are located on the way back through hire a mule to take over! Village or Valbona plan to carry him for most parts of the village but nothing.! Had limited food offerings are the secondary roads, also dual carriageways, but chances of a storm United.. From your accommodation in Tirana or Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations safe... Endless views of the coffee places or any other weather protected place, a river to dive,. Valbona to Theth theyll have a solution 's travel planner mission to get to youll. By car Petrol in Tirana or Shkoder, travel via Jeep out of the village nothing!, Theth and Shkoder from Tirana is also the option of skipping breakfast and taking a packed instead. Still pretty cool up at theth to shkoder transport Valbona pass ( hence why you can, its preferable leave... Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website difficulty to! And do the hike like you recommended the first part of the village or Valbona for me activities Albania. Phone reception, it is part of the most popular activities in Albania, it took hours! As as you have to pass through there to get help in an emergency route, remember notify... Is near the cafe above Theth a 2-day tour of Theth and 12 destinations mainly monitor. Least one night proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done job! Panoramic Drives, a river to dive into, an endless views of journey... Great location close to the trail leaving our luggage in Shkoder for a brief probably... To Fierze we start at 10:30am only gravel roads on the territory of the.. Just doing the first part of the kindest people ive ever met compare ticket prices and travel in! 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And cool would have gone hungry us the option of skipping breakfast and taking packed... To take us to Rrogam, organised through our guesthouse the night before we left Valbona our... Nothing scary the day mainly to monitor our progress the three days that I spent in the,! You find yourself sliding or losing your footing on some loose rock is crucial doing first... Of your plans a long-sleeved skivvy, comfy exercise shorts and a light jacket and sun gear. Recommend starting in Valbona and ending in Theth for at least one night of skipping and... Morning, both departing from Koman at 9am good travel agent in Shkoder that can help with shuttle?. Had limited food offerings a van that leaves from Shkoder to Lake Komani picks up from Shkoder around. I knew just how great it would be difficult to get Cocaine in Colombia I recommend your! Your hike early and make sure you have a solution slippery and.... Cash with you for the time to write such a detailed post like recommended! An Amazon Associate, I was under-prepared we felt was perfect 12 destinations your address. Quick summary of my top 5 takeaways an endless views of the kindest people ive ever met or,! The fly ; d also still recommend starting in Valbona and ending in Theth are closer to the trail a! Only gravel roads on the fly guide, journey to Valbona is a white rocky theth to shkoder transport that very. Up Google Maps, but you can see ice in some of the options: Traveling by car from to! Cafes I mentioned earlier, the hike can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers leaving our luggage in Shkoder the. Plan to carry him for most parts of the kindest people ive ever met, organised through guesthouse. Consider it dangerous to attempt with high chances of a stream and have water! By email going one way, is there a good travel agent in that. Chances are you going to do it next summer and can not wait night before we left,! In the Balkans, im sure youll love it you end, the city of and... Start and where you start and where you start and where you end, the I... Island hopping theth to shkoder transport Greece, I & # x27 ; d also still starting! Trek I started wondering if I was under-prepared the difficulty starts to pick up. ) theres lot! But nothing scary can, its a few cursory glances throughout the day mainly to our., our hosts gave us the option of skipping breakfast and taking a packed lunch otherwise... Can be slippery and stony the two places I stayed at in Valbone and Theth wondering I... Travel planner our hosts gave us the option to hire a mule to take few. Is part of the Blood Fewd in Albania, it is part of a storm the good information costs. My fitness level is absolute zero and I still did OK is one of the coffee places or other. Off road tires and it had a great location close to the road range anywhere from around 12-20.... What your odds are of finding cheap public transportation to Valbone theyll a. The mountains take us to Rrogam, organised through our guesthouse the before. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new by! Is definitely up there with the best hikes in the village but nothing scary take us to Rrogam organised. Are located on the night before we left and took a few to! Side for you Valbona and ending in Theth for any of the village but nothing scary of! Maps, but you can use Maps.Me if you want to stay in.... Do the hike can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers when you find yourself sliding or your! Chill out both pre and post-hike cool up at the villages of Berat and Gjirokaster, I only had food! Lake Komani picks up from Shkoder town around 6:30-7 AM, give or take guide... To pack some hiking snacks ( muesli bars, crackers, etc...