Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Youll get off the ferry at Fierze. Getting Around Albania. Hence it will be great if you can clarify on this point and any other point that I need to be careful about during my trip to Albania. 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). We passed another cafe with a stunning view and couldnt resist stopping for a drink. After living in Albania for two years and exploring nearly all the country, I finally made it to Theth and wow, it took my breath away. If youre hiking in the summer, youre in luck because the wildflowers are in bloom, adding an extra layer of beauty to the hike. Find all the transport options for your trip from Shkodr to Theth right here. First, you take a minivan from your accommodation in Shkoder to the ferry terminal at Koman. Just wondering. This is fabulous! Hi Abraham, great to hear that! Recommended option Drive Drive from Shkodr to Theth 2h 20m $13 - $19 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Albania Hi Iliana it depends on the forecast! Follow my adventures through the Caucasus, the Balkans, Southeast Asia and beyond as I inspire you to fill your own travels with colour, culture and creativity. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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There are some shorter hiking routes around Valbona that you could do too. Enjoy! For the latest travel status, please check the official page for Albania. 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. Shkoder Koplik Dedaj Shkreli Boge Field Okolit Qafe tThore Valley of Shale -Theth. Technically theres no reason you couldnt do the trek solo provided youre an experienced hiker with the correct gear. Hi Georgia! Robert. There are some tricky downhill parts to the hike where the trail is super rocky and unstable. Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments. 26 Incredible Things to do in Tirana, Albania. Kolman Lake/Valbona/Theth - 3 nights. I was told the last bus leaves at around 1:30 2:00 in the afternoon. I confirm the new paved road to Theth is completed and works like a charm! What is the Valbona Theth trek actually like on the ground? If you start the trek in Valbona, you can skip the first part of the trail, a gravel path thats very exposed and rough. Thanks for this great guide ! They dropped us off right at our guesthouse in Valbone, which was an absolute dreamy cabin surrounded by the mountains. Thanks for all the good information. There would be three main ways to get from Tirana to Theth; 1) By car, 2) By public transport and. The downward sections are very slippery due to small rocks. If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going bybuying me a beer! Ive been afraid to do it though as Im not particularly fit or athletic. Illana. I was wearing high speck, gripping hiking trainers and was struggling with slipping all along. The views here were nothing short of breathtaking. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I would hate to have to walk this bit in the afternoon sun, which would be the case if youre coming the opposite way. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. But trust me, youll want to stay in Theth for at least one night. In reality though we might head there in June with a 14 month old child. The hike is one of the best things I have done, and Im not even a hiker. Thank you Ashley Here are few contacts: Gjin +355685656797 , Besnik +355673031234, Lush +355693231884. Theth (or Thethi in Albanian) is possibly the most beautiful place in Albania. Transportation from Valbona back to Shkoder or elsewhere in Albania can be very complicated. The airport is connected with direct lines and daily flights throughout Europe, operating both in summer and winter. ( pick-up from hotel ) From Valbone to Fierze we start at 10:30am. I am considering to hike with my son who is 4 years old. The weather was warm and a little hazy. The road distance is 72.6 km. Exploring the city of Shkoder and the nature of Theth is one of the most popular activities in Albania. There are two ferry services that cross the lake each morning, both departing from Koman at 9am. Don't be late. May I ask what would be your advice? These are the two places I stayed at in Valbone and Theth. Discover 15 must-visit towns & small cities in the Balkans with my free PDF guide. the road from Shkoder to Theth is newly paved as of last year. This place even had beer unlike the last place. Well, he wasnt really a puppy anymore, but his name was Puppy (although they pronounced it like Poopy). Alternatively, you may use. If you get lucky there might be shared vehicles leaving but I wouldn't count on it. Source? Figure out the rough location of your place before you leave and pin it on Google Maps so you know where youre headed and at what point you need to turn off the track. We were lucky we had that packed lunch, otherwise we would have gone hungry. How to get to Valbona from Shkoder via Komani Lake (& how to book tickets) Valbona is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder. If its windy, it also makes things a lot trickier. Theth is pretty spread out (though not to the same extent as Valbona), with guesthouses and camping grounds all along the river. If youve booked everything through The Wanderers Hostel, youll have pickup waiting for you. They helped sort everything else out for us. Wow!! The stunning Valbone to Theth hike only left me wanting more, but I have no doubt that Ill be back in this region someday. I think the pass would still be manageable, but I would recommend getting in touch with someone on the ground to confirm. I definitely recommend starting as. The route isnt marked on Google Maps, but you can use Maps.Me if you want to. Hi Emily, If you do go down this route, remember to notify someone on either end of your plans. Thanks! Ive had my eye on it since 2017 and finally going to do it next summer and cannot wait. (Its also possible to book a transfer from Tirana bus station for 1400 lek.). Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Albania. You can do the hike in sneakers, but it is a lot more difficult than having boots with good traction. from. This active multi-day tour of Valbona and Theth in the heart of the Albanian Alps takes you to Lake Koman, Valbona Valley, and the quaint village of Theth. If you have any questions relating to getting to Theth make sure you leave them below and I will do my best to answer them for you. The hiking season typically starts in May and lasts until the end of October, with July and August being the most popular months. - every morning at 07.00 a.m. from Shkodra, once a day; - every afternoon at 11.00 a.m. from Thethi, once a day. No. I had a lot to say about this trek. The uphill parts are gruelling for sure, but they only come in short bursts, and you do get some relief with the downhill portions. Yes you would have to hike back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first leg by public transport. Re: How to get from Theth to Shkodr 6 years ago Save Heya Philipp, you can write us at welcome@zbulo.org for details, a 4x4 ride starts from 60 for the 3h drive to Shkoder. Enjoy scenic nature and Albanian hospitality alongside a personal guide. Learn more. We are considering just going one way up, hopefully to the peak and then back down again. Yes, the driving distance between Shkodr to Theth is 73 km. Thanks for the tip, Maggie! Thanks for asking this I will add a note to the post. There is more to do in Theth than in Valbona (including other shorter hikes to the Blue Eye and beyond). Thank you so much for this detailed post! Shkoder Ski Lodges Shkoder Pet Friendly Beach Hotels. Heya Philipp, you can write us at welcome@zbulo.org for details, a 4x4 ride starts from 60 for the 3h drive to Shkoder. There are brown bears, wolves and lynx in the area another reason why you should stick to the marked trail. Your email address will not be published. This place is beautiful. Thanks for the rest of the information which was very very useful. For a 44 the road is great fun! 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). As always when I write about Albania, I want to write about it not only to tell you my stories but to give you an insight into the practical steps of visiting Theth but most importantly, how to get from Shkoder to Theth in the first place! If there is even a small chance of rain then I would take wet weather gear for sure. 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. So many of my questions went unanswered. If youre not a huge hiker, it is possible to still enjoy Theth. We spotted three grass snakes (non-poisonous) and a small, unidentified mammal. A refillable water bottle, a light jacket and sun protection gear are all essential. Oh, and before you go, make sure to have good travel insurance handy whenever youre out adventuring. in one of the coffee places or any other weather protected place? 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. There isnt like a bus station or anything. This is such a nice post: I wanna board the plane today and go straight to Teth. If theres something I missed, feel free to leave me a comment at the bottom of the page and Ill get back to you. In addition, there are multiple designated campgrounds in both Valbona and Theth that charge a small nightly fee. If you can, its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and do the ferry instead thats one of the highlights! When we arrived in Valbona, we were under the impression that we could wake up the next morning and just start walking from our guesthouse. This part can feel like it drags on, especially towards the end when the trail gets super rocky and steep. Hi Emily, Your post has been bookmarked. While its possible to travel the entire way by road (around 5-6 hours of rough driving), the better option is to take the ferry across Koman Lake. Whatever you need, you have to carry with you, which is why I highly recommend travelling with a light day pack only. I wouldve stayed here for a few more nights if I knew just how great it would be. I recommend leaving your luggage in Shkoder as you have to pass through there to get the ferry anyway. Its also a good idea to pack some hiking snacks (muesli bars, crackers, etc.). 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. so a regular sedan can make it all the way to the end. Where: Pick up at the hotel door in Shkodra, or any common place to be specified.Time-table: every morning at 07.00 a.m. from Shkodra, once a day; every afternoon at 11.00 a.m. from Thethi, once a day.Trip duration: around 2 hours one wayMinibus Ticket Price: 10 Eur/ Person one wayPick-up: is offered from the hotel door in Shkodra, at around 07.00 a.m. Booking: Ask the hotel/guesthouse manager to book the seats for you or contact directly one of them. When youre close to the Valbona Pass, you might run into some snow along the way. You suggest booking a few weeks ahead for the ferry and being able to pay by credit card but then say to arrange via accommodation in Shkoder. The views were beautiful, and it had a great location close to the river and other hiking trails. Heres why: Valbona is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder. Even if theyre closed, the hose will still be running. Optional private transport back to Theth (if you don't want to take the daily bus . We all took turns falling over during the last part of the walk the steepest and most slippery part of the trail is the final descent into Theth. Walking Poles (optional, but great for the rocky way down). Depending on where you start and where you end, the hike can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers. 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. Its not a bad idea to leave yourself a bit of a buffer of a day or two in case of poor weather conditions. Its up to you of course but I think you should go for it! The shuttle between Theth and Shkoder is 10 euro . Hi Emily Getting to Valbona from Shkoder takes more time and involves more transfers (van-ferry-van). There are two ways to do this trek: By walking from Valbona to Theth (like we did) or by doing the route in reverse. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. The bottom line is that the trek can be as long or as short as you want. You wont save much money for the extra effort it takes to try and organize everything on your own. Its narrow in parts, and its so nice not to have people breathing down your neck or needing to negotiate two lanes of traffic. Hey Kim! I know there is a furgon later during the day, but I am wondering is there also someone offering a private transport earlier? Its difficult to say I would recommend asking someone local in Theth or Valbona so they can give you advice, perhaps your guesthouse house or the staff at the national park service (the Theth office was particularly good when we visited). Please do feel free to drop back and add any tips Ive forgotten. 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. Guesthouses and cabins are the main places to stay in the Albanian Alps. Thanks for your lovely blog and posting. Finally, its easier to organise transport back to Shkoder from Theth on the fly. Hi Anita, I had to run back up the mountain, but thankfully, my friends behind me had successfully gathered everything. Hi and thank you for the amazing information! Rozafa Castle. The expressways are the secondary roads, also dual carriageways, but . Have a fabulous time in Albania! It cost 16 euros for all of that. This is definitely up there with the best hikes in the Balkans, Im sure youll love it. Expand All. 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 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 not planning to stay in Shkoder for a few weeks !! Although keep in mind that it ends up right in front of the village. Those of yall that have followed along for a while know that my heart and happiness lie in the mountains. As a very rough benchmark, I would say the hike is suitable for kids over 10 years old. The journey can take form 6 8 hours depending on your fitness levels and how long you stop at the top on the way. Just check weather conditions for October as Im not 100% sure when the trail will close this year. Thankfully, it didnt pose any problem for us. How do I buy a London Underground ticket? Immediately after the pass, youll find yourself going downhill steeply on some pretty unstable rocks. Thank you for your inspiring and very useful post. For the most part, the terrain on the trek is rough but manageable. Like I mentioned earlier, the hostel I stayed at also organized pretty much everything for me. It is possible to go with a private guide or as part of an organised tour, but its not necessary. Im just wondering assuming I come by car to either Theth or Valbona. There is a van that leaves from Shkoder at 7 am and costs 10 per person. I have a fair amount of trekking and mountaineering experience. Good luck, let me know how you get on! Its a steep drop off, and hard, icy snow is never all that trustworthy to walk on. Meals at our guesthouses cost us between 7 and 10 Euros per person, and drinks (coffee, beer) a couple of Euros each. It eases up pretty quickly, though. That is an incredible price for the long, but beautiful journey. At 7 AM the next morning, take a bus from Shkoder to Theth (3 hours, 10 euros). Still undecided about getting a guide. As I understand it, there are no regulations on camping in this area, meaning you can pitch a tent anywhere you please along the trail. The four of us myself, my husband and his parents who were visiting us partway through our trip organised to do the trek in the second week of June as part of our larger Albania itinerary. Taxi maybe? 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. I recommend doing the reverse and trekking from Valbona to Theth. Drinks at the mountain cafe: 2 EUR per drink. c) Thethi vans station , vans of 8 to 10 places, in Rus area. The beds were comfy and they had hot showers, and best of all, a puppy! Thanks for reading Im so happy this could be of value for you! Source? After pickup from your accommodation in Tirana or Shkoder, travel via Jeep out of the city. Stay overnight in Shkoder. I found it so much better than just staying at a hotel or hostel. Again, these are great for going downhill. 3) By organized tour. Are there any? My husband might make it to the peak and I may not .. but we will both return. As you descend into Theth, it might not be immediately obvious where your guesthouse is located. I havent heard of anyone doing that before, but I think its a great idea. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations. What is the climate like in late march for Hiking and walking, is the area still snowcovered or is has it started to clear by then? Just take your time and youll be okay. Explore the Lock-In Tower in Theth, and learn about the long history of Blood Feuds in Albania. My wife and I are planning to include this trek within the framework of a more traditional vacation and are looking for ways to leave most of our luggage in Valbona. Re: How to get from Theth to Shkodr 5 years ago Hi! There are a few trails that branch off from the mountain pass. Im living in Tirana and Ive been contemplating doing the Valbone to Theth hike. If you'd like them to arrange your transfer, see them at the reception the night before, and you'll have your seat in no time. Transport from Theth to Shkoder: 10 EUR (1200 LEK) for a minivan. And damn, they did not disappoint. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives includes insurance, meals, transport and more. Its truly one of the most underrated and beautiful day hikes in Europe. So yeah, to be fair, everything was kind of a surprise. Line bus: Rinas Airport Tirana Center. There is no direct way to travel between Valbona and Theth by road. My recommendation is to seal your important documents in a waterproof bag and keep them at the bottom of your day pack. early as you can because of this. Qafe Thane (Macedonia) Elbasan Tirane Shkoder Theth. My favourite resources and tools for planning a trip to Albania. We plan in the first week of October. It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive from Shkodr to Theth. Almost all guesthouses and hostels in Shkoder provide transportation from Shkoder to Theth in Albania. Great thanks. The Valbona cafe was closed in June, and the Theth cafe only had limited food offerings. Gazheli Petrol in Tirana,to Koman at 05:00. Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.
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