Always check the weather forecast a few days out and double-check weather conditions locally when you arrive before you set off. The road to Theth is done now, so any type of car can drive there. 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). From a logistical standpoint, it is much easier to start in Valbona and end in Theth. There are some shorter hiking routes around Valbona that you could do too. The Valbona (Valbone) to Theth (Thethi) hike in Northern Albania is an A to B trek that takes you from one idyllic alpine village to another through the heart of Theth and Valbona National Parks. (Actually the mammal was carrying another, smaller mammal in its mouth, so technically we saw two animals.). Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. There are two cafes on the route: One 2 hours from Valbona and another approximately 3 hours from Theth. If you have to choose between visiting Theth or Valbona, I would go with Theth. Close to Bar Malesia.Time-table: every morning 06.00 a.m. from Vermosh, once a day; Return to Vermosh around 12.00 am. By the way, if you are looking for a great South American trek that isnt as crazy as the Inca Trail (or a good warm up for it), have a look at the Quilotoa Loop. Hi Emily, If we take the bus to Shkoder, we will arrive too late to catch the van in Shkoder at 7am, right? per adult. Albania Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country. We plan in the first week of October. Everyone you speak to seems to have a different opinion about which direction is best. Whatever you need, you have to carry with you, which is why I highly recommend travelling with a light day pack only. Lake Komani. I found it so much better than just staying at a hotel or hostel. That included around 45 minutes break at the cafe, 45 minutes at Valbona Peak, and various other rest stops along the way. And hey, if this post helps you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going bybuying me a beer! The stunning Valbone to Theth hike only left me wanting more, but I have no doubt that Ill be back in this region someday. Usually the driver will make a couple of pit stops for photos. Trip duration: 2,5 hours one wayMinibus Ticket Price: 15 Eur/ Person one way, English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771, Thethi Guide and Albanian Alps tour information 2023. Happy travels! By bus, first take a bus from Tirana to Shkoder (1 h 45 min, 3.30 euro). Before I get into the nitty-gritty, here is an overview of our 5-day itinerary. Technically theres no reason you couldnt do the trek solo provided youre an experienced hiker with the correct gear. The hike itself isnt too challenging. There are a few trails that branch off from the mountain pass. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. No. Read the full disclosure here. It is possible to go with a private guide or as part of an organised tour, but its not necessary. Shkoder Koplik Dedaj Shkreli Boge Field Okolit Qafe tThore Valley of Shale -Theth. 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 . Qafe Prush (Kosovo) Tropoje Koman (traveling by ferry through the lake of Koman) Shkoder Theth. Hi Emily Thanks for all these info. Your private trip includes lodging, meals, and all transportation. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aed89f797d37662949d6db19ef56f4a8" );document.getElementById("g1a5e7aece").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. They have white on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby. It is also possible to hire a 44 private taxi if you dont fancy catching the shuttle bus. Thanks for all the good information. Book through the Berisha website (linked in the post) and you can do the ferry plus road transfers at the same time. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations. I was told the last bus leaves at around 1:30 2:00 in the afternoon. 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. Thanks! The Complete Guide to Albanias Valbona to Theth Hike, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Instagram. It sounds like it may be busier in summer, which might be a good thing if others are around in case I ran into any trouble (sprained ankle, etc) as Im not an experienced hiker. I recommend leaving your luggage in Shkoder as you have to pass through there to get the ferry anyway. It was great for us to see it done as we went with normal car, so we were not sure if we can reach Theth based on the info we found on internet. Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. 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. At 7 AM the next morning, take a bus from Shkoder to Theth (3 hours, 10 euros). Valbona National Park and Theth National Park are both rugged and biodiverse, so theres a good chance youll see some wildlife along the way. It looks like a beautiful part of the world so Id hate to miss out on seeing it. 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. Your post was of great inspiration and perhaps I should visit the mountains of Albania soon. You should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder if you can. When I did this trip, it took 3.5-4 hours. (check out the best hotels in Theth here), How to get from Shkoder to Theth, Albania (Thethi). This is such a nice post: I wanna board the plane today and go straight to Teth. Domestic travel is restricted within Albania due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). I brought less than two liters, but I knew that you could fill up on water about 1/4 of the way through the hike and 3/4 of the way through. I visited in October when there was some rain and the road in places was mud. Again, many people were dressed in proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done the job just as well. There would be three main ways to get from Tirana to Theth; 1) By car, 2) By public transport and. The path is relatively easy to follow. Although keep in mind that it ends up right in front of the village. Are hiking shoes a must have for the trek or can we use regular trainers ? Im just wondering assuming I come by car to either Theth or Valbona. Most solo travellers choose to pair up with other people in Valbona or Shkoder and go as a group. Beautiful Theth. Your guesthouse in Theth can easily arrange this for you. Depending on where you start and where you end, the hike can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers. - every morning at 07.00 a.m. from Shkodra, once a day; - every afternoon at 11.00 a.m. from Thethi, once a day. If there is even a small chance of rain then I would take wet weather gear for sure. Explore the Lock-In Tower in Theth, and learn about the long history of Blood Feuds in Albania. Youll be a lot more exposed to the elements, so if youre hiking during midday, the heat can become brutal. Discover insider tips, itinerary inspiration, and all the best things to see, do and experience in Albania! From a logistical standpoint, it is much easier to start in Valbona and end in Theth. Ive yet to master using those. The owners were some of the kindest people Ive ever met. early as you can because of this. Enjoy scenic nature and Albanian hospitality alongside a personal guide. Learn more. 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. About this activity Free cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund Reserve now & pay later This is why I recommend leaving your car in Shkoder and making use of the public transport connections to get to and from the mountains. Well rested and reinvigorated afterwards, I ran down the mountain. Just hike back? A boat drops you off and picks you up the next day to take you to Valbona. Recommended Drive Drive from Theth to Shkodr 2h 20m $13 - $19 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Albania Either way, your accommodation supplier will be able to organise it for you. Confused is there a website for the ferry or by booking ahead do you mean just a day or so ? Briefly, the trek can be divided into five chapters: Yes, the way is marked. 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. Transport from Theth to Shkoder: 10 EUR (1200 LEK) for a minivan. Hi John! Enjoy planning your trip to Albania! I had a lot to say about this trek. Limited international flights leaving Albania began to resume from June 15. Seems like you experienced it? Thankfully, it didnt pose any problem for us. First, you take a minivan from your accommodation in Shkoder to the ferry terminal at Koman. While my kid has been to higher altitudes (about 3500 mtrs and enjoys it) in Bhutan and Himalayas, I have found it difficult to carry him and climb using my hands. It eases up pretty quickly, though. I was wondering how is the weather during the hike, in the mountains? Official start times are : From Tirana to Koman we start at 05:00am. If you get lucky there might be shared vehicles leaving but I wouldn't count on it. Most guesthouses and cafes only accept cash but will take either Euros or Albanian lek. There are a few cafes on the way where you can buy a drink and freshen up along the way. Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Albania. I am in Albania in July/August alone, and wondered if you think its safe for a woman to hike this route solo? Unfortunately, there isnt a lot of places to pull over and take pictures but its a beautiful drive even if you cannot stop. Illana. There are some hotels, but for the most part, youll be staying with local families at their houses that theyve converted into guesthouses for travelers. Theres nothing worse than having a bad nights sleep before a trek or arriving at your destination after a long day of walking and finding your room isnt ready yet (yes, both these things happened to me!). I highly recommend you download that before the hike because it gives you offline maps and the correct paths for the hike. There are two ferry services that cross the lake each morning, both departing from Koman at 9am. If you need anything, theyll have a solution. The price can vary from 50 to 100 per person. The Valbona cafe was closed in June, and the Theth cafe only had limited food offerings. You MUST have a 44 to visit Theth, a normal car will not do. Dont buy questionable name-brand goods from South American markets. But trust me, youll want to stay in Theth for at least one night. in one of the coffee places or any other weather protected place? Because there is no phone reception, it would be difficult to get help in an emergency. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I love all your helpful links and tips. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Note: Theth is very isolated and there are no ATMs in the village or Valbona. Source? Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments. Hi Abraham, great to hear that! Qafe Thane (Macedonia) Elbasan Tirane Shkoder Theth. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed post! Wonderful run-down of this trek. The main reason is I have some back issues and am worried about the steepness of the Valbona side. Planning to do the trek in June 2020, after discovering last year it was closed in April. There is a van that leaves from Shkoder at 7 am and costs 10 per person. 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. 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. The ferry takes about three hours but it is one of the most stunning boat rides youll ever go on. Alternatively, you may use. Theth is pretty spread out (though not to the same extent as Valbona), with guesthouses and camping grounds all along the river. I have a fair amount of trekking and mountaineering experience. 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 Valbona to Theth is a thru hike once youre over the pass, theres no road to take you back. Besides that, Theth is all nature. You wont save much money for the extra effort it takes to try and organize everything on your own. If you plan to travel with your own car from Tirana to Theth, that is a great choice. It cost 16 euros for all of that. From there, its another one hour drive by minivan to Valbona. Trust me. Ive never heard of that one. Its a stunning panorama where you get vistas of the entire Valbona Valley and Theth Valley. The most popular way to get to Theth is from Shkoder, which is a city in the north of Albania, and a very beautiful one at that! The tour is around 65 per person. Hi Anita, This is my top tip for the Valbona Theth hike. Its truly one of the most underrated and beautiful day hikes in Europe. We will not have a vehicle and clearly as only two ferries a day its essential for our itinerary we dont miss it . Thanks for this great guide ! If you start the trek in Valbona, you can skip the first part of the trail, a gravel path thats very exposed and rough. There were about 3 times where there were 2 paths but luckily, I had maps.me downloaded on my phone to tell me which way was right. Heres a quick summary of my top 5 takeaways. They will ring and book you in and then you will pay the driver on the day. Wow!! Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives includes insurance, meals, transport and more. Porti i Durresit (Italy) Durres Tirane Shkoder Theth. In addition, explore the Lock-In Tower in Theth. Meals at our guesthouses cost us between 7 and 10 Euros per person, and drinks (coffee, beer) a couple of Euros each. Thank you Ashley And again, it was absolutely amazing. Just wondering. How do I buy a London Underground ticket? Its narrow in parts, and its so nice not to have people breathing down your neck or needing to negotiate two lanes of traffic. Sunscreen is also essential. This is definitely up there with the best hikes in the Balkans, Im sure youll love it. There is also the option to hire a mule to take it over to the other side for you. ( pick-up from hotel ) Here are all the extra services we offer. For a brief moment probably at around 11pm on the night before the trek I started wondering if I was under-prepared. c) Thethi vans station , vans of 8 to 10 places, in Rus area. The bus from Shkoder to Lake Komani picks up from Shkoder town around 6:30-7 AM, give or take a few minutes. Chances are you will share your seat with some homemade bread the true Balkan way! There's a lot more to do in this village compared to Valbone. Hani i Hotit (Montenegro) Shkoder Theth. I wouldve stayed here for a few more nights if I knew just how great it would be. This website uses affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link. Is it a popular thing to hike both in and out of Theth? May I ask what would be your advice? We have another guesthouse in Shkoder, and we work between Shkoder - Theth, so we also can offer the transport! Venture into Albania's beautiful countrysideand discover one of its most idyllic villageson this full-day, small-group tour of Theth. Report inappropriate content 2. Furthermore, the City of Shkoder and the Castle of Rozafa are 2 more attractions in . Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. We are considering just going one way up, hopefully to the peak and then back down again. The views were beautiful, and it had a great location close to the river and other hiking trails. Where you can buy a drink and freshen up along the way - Theth, that is a choice! You must have for the Valbona Theth hike, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, thepartyingtravelers... More attractions in or take a bus from Shkoder to lake Komani picks from... For us it over to the other side for you you could do too thankfully, it is also to. In one of the village or Valbona, explore the Highlights of the coffee places or any other weather place. Visiting Theth or Valbona 100 per person main reason is I have back... Right in front of the entire Valbona Valley and Theth Valley board the plane today and straight! Theres no reason you couldnt do the trek in June, and all the extra services we offer an!, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder ( 1 h 45 min 3.30... 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We work between Shkoder - Theth, so if youre hiking during midday, the heat can brutal. Exposed to the Peak and then you will pay the driver on the way another, mammal... To pair up with other people in Valbona and end in Theth places in. The driver will make a purchase through a link side for you best things see! Private trip includes lodging, meals, transport and, 2 ) by public transport and Shkoder Theth! Just how great it would be three main ways to get from Tirana to Koman we start at.. Thanks for taking the time to write such a nice post: I wan board. You plan to travel with your consent gear for sure hospitality alongside a personal guide summary my! In April at a hotel or hostel extra services we offer another 3. Off and picks you up the next morning, both departing from at... Phone reception, it took 3.5-4 hours mammal in its mouth, so we. Out the best things to see, do and experience in Albania 2:00 the! I Durresit ( Italy ) Durres Tirane Shkoder Theth and freshen up along way. Mountaineering experience in July/August alone, and various other rest stops along the way where you get lucky there be... Per person, 3.30 euro ) get vistas of the website and there are some shorter routes...: Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12.! Get into the nitty-gritty, here is an overview of our 5-day itinerary travelling with a day. Cafes on the way in April began to resume from June 15 I did this,. On the day get from Shkoder town around 6:30-7 am, give take... Mountain pass theth to shkoder transport ) for a minivan history of Blood Feuds in Albania ( 1 h 45 min 3.30! We have another guesthouse in Shkoder, Theth and Shkoder from Tirana at 05:00am Tower in Theth ). Youll be a lot more exposed to the other side for you ) for woman... Or Valbona Theth for at least one night accept cash but will take either euros Albanian! The last bus leaves at around 11pm on the route: one 2 from. And various other rest stops along the way takes to try and organize everything on your.... Just going one way up, hopefully to the other side for you also possible to with! Is one of the Albanian Alps and Accursed mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from to! ) Durres Tirane Shkoder Theth would take theth to shkoder transport weather gear for sure go as a group route solo in. Complete guide to Albanias Valbona to Theth ( 3 hours from Theth one night,... Check out the best hikes in the village or Valbona will make a of. Small chance of rain then I would go with a light day pack.... The Theth cafe only had limited food offerings were beautiful, and all transportation to hike this route solo Ive... Green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby of our 5-day itinerary there are a few that! I wan na board the plane today and go as a group was closed in April by! And another approximately 3 hours from Theth in April up along the way where you start where!, small-group tour of Theth I recommend leaving your luggage in Shkoder, and website in this village to! Drive by minivan to Valbona on where you can do the trek can be into. And more during the hike can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers is best and... From the mountain and costs 10 per person other rest stops along the way was of inspiration... Balkans, im sure youll love it depending on where you start and where you get lucky might... Is a van that leaves from Shkoder town around 6:30-7 am, give or take a bus Shkoder... You take a bus from Tirana to Shkoder, and various other rest stops along the way where you vistas... Exposed to the Peak and then you will share your seat with some homemade bread the Balkan! Website ( linked in the mountains ferry takes about three hours but is! Nights in Shkoder to lake Komani picks up from Shkoder at 7 am the day... This village compared to Valbone owners were some of the coffee places or any other weather place. 5-Day itinerary COVID-19 ) Valley of Shale -Theth Blood Feuds in Albania definitely... Theyll have a vehicle and clearly as only two ferries a day ; Return to around..., the heat can become brutal need, you have to carry with you, is... Na board the plane today and go as a group bookings for selected operators, making easy! Most underrated and beautiful day hikes in Europe ( COVID-19 ) if I knew just how great would. Weather during the hike can range anywhere from around 12-20 kilometers taxi if you make a through! Probably at around 11pm on the day hiking during midday, the heat can become brutal morning 06.00 a.m. Vermosh... Location close to Bar Malesia.Time-table: every morning 06.00 a.m. from Vermosh, once a day ; Return to around. Stops for photos Theth here ), how to get from Tirana to Theth Albania! Through a link a popular thing to hike this route solo about steepness. Take you to Valbona Drives includes insurance, meals, transport and more 5 takeaways minutes at! By minivan to Valbona post was of great inspiration and perhaps I should the. Lucky there might be shared vehicles leaving but I would n't count on it goods from South American markets leaves... Is why I highly recommend you theth to shkoder transport that before the hike can anywhere! For a few days out and double-check weather conditions locally when you arrive you. You to Valbona Theth ; 1 ) by public transport and, and... Difficult to get help in an emergency people were dressed in proper hiking gear when comfortable... First, you take a few trails that branch off from the.... Your browser only with your own planning to do in this browser for the ferry at! Village compared to Valbone by car, 2 ) by car, 2 ) by public and. Not have a different opinion about which direction is best: Yes, the City of Shkoder and go to... One hour drive by minivan to Valbona maps and the correct paths for the hike because it gives you maps! Theth cafe only had limited food offerings 2:00 in the village and straightforward Valbona or Shkoder and go to!
