In a nutshell
- Albania is an excellent destination for hiking, with stunning mountain landscapes and untouched nature around every corner.
- The most popular hiking region is the Albanian Alps on the border with Montenegro and Kosovo — base yourself in the mountain villages of Theth or Valbona for the best access.
- Prefer the coast? Albania also has great coastal hiking trails along the Riviera. Or go big and summit the country’s highest peak: Korab at 2,764 meters.
- We cover the most beautiful routes in every region — with difficulty ratings, navigation tips, and honest advice on what to expect on the trail.
The Best Hiking Areas in Albania at a Glance
First, here’s an overview of where to find the best hiking areas in Albania. Then we’ll walk you through the most beautiful trails in each region.
The North: Hiking in the Albanian Alps
The Albanian Alps around the villages of Theth and Valbona are the most popular hiking area and a genuine highlight in Albania.
There are loads of beautiful trails here and solid tourist infrastructure, which makes finding accommodation and getting there much easier.
Theth – Valbona
- Distance: 16 kilometers
- Elevation: ↗ 1,060, ↘ 920
- Best time to visit: June through September (avalanche danger in winter)
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: The pass crossing from the mountain village of Theth into the Valbona Valley — or vice versa — is probably the most famous hike in Albania. The trail offers breathtaking mountain views, and along the way you’ll find cafés with cold drinks and plenty of spots to refill your water.
How difficult is the hike? The Theth–Valbona Trail is strenuous — you climb steeply for 1,000 meters on one side of the pass, then descend again on the other. Technically it’s moderate: there are some sections with loose scree on both the ascent and descent that require solid focus. Overall, though, the paths are fairly wide and easy to walk. Hiking boots are a must!
Our hotel pick for Theth: Guesthouse Gjin Thana
Our hotel pick for Valbona: Bujtina Arturi
How do you get there?
This hike needs a bit of planning since you start and finish in different places. You can reach Theth by bus or by car from Shkodra. To get to Valbona, you first take the ferry across Lake Koman and then a van into the Valbona Valley.
Probably the easiest approach is to take the bus to Theth, hike from Theth to Valbona the next day, and then book a transfer plus ferry back to Shkodra from there.
Book transfer from Valbona to Shkodra incl. ferry
Alternatively, you can hike just from Theth up to the pass and back, instead of pushing all the way to Valbona.
Blue Eye in Theth
- Distance: 19 kilometers (out and back)
- Elevation: approximately ↗ 540, ↘ 540
- Best time to visit: May through October
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: The Blue Eye is a natural spring near Theth where the water glows in gorgeous shades of blue-green — a real standout! If you’re feeling brave, you can even jump in, but fair warning: even in summer the water is only around 50°F (10°C).
How difficult is the hike? The Blue Eye Trail is moderate. You’re mostly walking on flat ground or with only a slight incline. That said, you’re covering almost 20 kilometers, so good endurance matters. Sturdy hiking shoes are also recommended, as the trail covers a lot of rocky terrain.
How do you get there? The trailhead and best base for an overnight stay is the village of Theth. We cover how to get there in our full guide to Theth.
Our hotel pick for Theth: Guesthouse Gjin Thana
Maja Rosit
- Distance: 15 kilometers
- Elevation: ↗ 1,120, ↘ 1,120
- Best time to visit: June through September
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: The hike to Maja Rosit is a summit hike where you climb a peak right on the border with Montenegro. At 2,524 meters, the views from the top are seriously stunning. There’s a café halfway up where you can grab drinks. A great day hike from Valbona!
How difficult is the hike? Very strenuous — you’re climbing almost continuously. A hiking app is essential here, as the trail is hard to follow without one. Komoot and MapsMe both work well. The paths are mostly solid underfoot, but can get slippery in rain, and between September and June you should expect snow.
How do you get there? Your best bet is to stay in the Valbona Valley. You can get there either via the hiking trail from Theth or by booking a transfer from Shkodra.
Our hotel pick for Valbona: Bujtina Arturi
Peaks of the Balkans
- Distance: 192 kilometers
- Days/Stages: 10–12
- Best time to visit: June through September
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: The Peaks of the Balkans is a popular multi-day hike through Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Every day you’re moving through stunning mountain scenery with incredible vistas. You sleep in guesthouses available on every stage — meals are served there too. We’ve done the full trail ourselves and had a fantastic time.
How difficult is the hike? Since you’re hiking every day and most stages involve around 1,000 meters of elevation gain, the Peaks of the Balkans is very demanding. The paths are generally solid and manageable even with a heavy pack. A hiking map is absolutely essential — trail junctions are sometimes unsigned.
How do you get there: You can start the Peaks of the Balkans in several different places. In Albania, Theth is the best starting point. You can find more info in our Peaks of the Balkans trip report.
Going independently? Yes, you can hike the Peaks of the Balkans on your own — that’s exactly what we did. If you’d rather skip the logistics and accommodation planning, you can book a self-guided Peaks of the Balkans tour.
Here you'll find our trip report on the Peaks of the Balkans:
The East: Hiking in the Korab Mountains
A lesser-known hiking area in Albania is the Korab Mountains. Located on the border with North Macedonia and Kosovo, this region offers spectacular mountain scenery without the crowds — trekking in Albania doesn’t get much more off the beaten path than this.
Korab
- Distance: 13.8 kilometers (out and back)
- Elevation: ↗ 1,190, ↘ 1,190
- Best time to visit: June through September
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: Korab is Albania’s highest mountain and a seriously rewarding summit hike. You start in the small village of Radomirë and climb steadily to the highest point at 2,764 meters. The mountain sits right on the border with North Macedonia and is also considered that country’s highest peak.
How difficult is the hike? Technically it’s fairly straightforward — as long as you’re hiking in summer when there’s no snow. That said, the trail is definitely strenuous, since you’re climbing steeply for most of the way to the summit. Good fitness is a must.
How do you get there: The hike starts in the village of Radomirë. A car is the easiest way to get there. If you’re traveling without one, take a bus to Peshkopi from Tirana and then a taxi from Peshkopi — minibuses might also run that route, but we honestly aren’t sure.
Our hotel pick for Radomirë: Hotel Restaurant Radomira
High Scardus Trail
- Distance: 360 kilometers
- Days/Stages: 20–22
- Best time to visit: June through September
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: The High Scardus Trail is a newer multi-day route that’s growing fast in popularity. It takes you through North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania — so you’re not just hiking through breathtaking mountain scenery, you’re also discovering fascinating cultures in remote villages and crossing three countries at once.
How difficult is the hike? Technically, the High Scardus Trail is very manageable. But since you’re out for three weeks with constant ups and downs, it’s extremely demanding from a fitness standpoint. You should have solid hiking experience before taking on this multi-day adventure in Albania.
How do you get there? The High Scardus Trail starts in Staro Selo in North Macedonia. The easiest way to get there is by transfer or taxi from Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
Going independently? Yes, you can tackle this multi-day trail on your own. That said, many sections are very remote — if you’d like support with planning or prefer a guided experience, we recommend Balkan Natural Adventure.
The Southwest: Coastal Hiking Trails
Not just drawn to the high mountains, but also to the coast? Great! Along the Albanian Riviera there are some fantastic trails leading to the most beautiful beaches in Albania. Here are our top picks!
Hiking to Gjipe Beach
- Distance: approximately 5 kilometers (out and back)
- Elevation: ↗ 250, ↘ 250
- Best time to visit: April through October
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: A short hike that fits perfectly into your road trip through Albania is the walk to Gjipe Beach. You park up at the main road and hike about 2.5 kilometers along the canyon down to the beach. On the way back, you retrace the same path to your car.
How difficult is the hike? Easy. Since the trail to Gjipe Beach is short, it’s very manageable even if you don’t hike much normally. Keep in mind, though, that the return trip involves a solid uphill climb — and it can get very hot in summer with no shade on the trail.
How do you get there? You’ll need a car for this hike, as the trailhead is on a main road. There’s a small parking area there (view on Google Maps). Getting there early is worth it. If you don’t have a car but still want to reach Gjipe Beach, you can do the hike from Dhërmi to Himarë, which we cover next.
Our hotel pick nearby: Golden View Residence
Dhërmi – Himarë
- Distance: approximately 16.4 kilometers
- Elevation: ↗ 430, ↘ 590
- Best time to visit: April through October
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: A longer coastal hike is the walk from Dhërmi to Himarë (shown in the opposite direction on Komoot). You’ll pass several stunning beaches along the way — including Jale Beach and Gjipe Beach — so you can cool off in the water whenever you like.
How difficult is the hike? Parts of the route are hard to follow and not well maintained — so this one isn’t suitable for beginners. A hiking map on your phone is a must! For the most part, though, the trail is easy: fairly flat and on solid ground.
How do you get there? If you’re staying in Himarë, take the morning bus to Dhërmi and start hiking from there. Alternatively, stay in Dhërmi, head out in the morning, and take the bus back in the afternoon. Check bus schedules here.
Our hotel pick in Dhërmi: Hotel Imperial
Our hotel pick in Himarë: Sun George
Maja e Thanasit
- Distance: 12.8 kilometers (loop hike)
- Elevation: ↗ 580, ↘ 580
- Best time to visit: April through October
- Navigation: View the hiking route on Komoot
What you need to know: Maja e Thanasit is a mountain summit with gorgeous sea views, located between the city of Vlora (one of the most beautiful cities in Albania) and the beach resort of Dhërmi. We’d recommend combining the summit hike with a loop route so you don’t have to retrace your steps. The panorama at the top is seriously worth it!
How difficult is the hike? Overall it’s an easy hike on solid terrain. The biggest challenge is the lack of shade — you’ll be climbing in full sun, so pack plenty of water and sunscreen.
How do you get there? The easiest option is to drive from Dhërmi or Vlora to the trailhead. You can find parking along the main road (view on Google Maps).
Our hotel pick nearby: Hotel Imperial
General Tips for Hiking in Albania
Before you head out on your first trail during your Albania vacation, here are a few important pointers for hiking in Albania.
#1 Climate and Weather
Check the weather before every hike in Albania. Especially in the higher mountain ranges, you want to be well informed so you don’t get caught in a storm.
For mountain weather in Albania, we’ve had the best experience with Bergfex, which specializes in mountain forecasts.
Always keep an eye on temperatures too — especially in midsummer, it can get very hot, both on coastal trails and in the mountains.
And always be prepared for rain, since mountain weather can change fast.
All our tips on the best time to visit Albania
#2 What to Pack?
Packing right makes a huge difference on any hike. A hiking backpack is essential for comfortable walking. Sufficient water, a water filter if needed, and snacks are equally important.
Wear comfortable hiking shoes and hiking clothes, and always bring a jacket and rain protection. A swimsuit is always a smart call too, so you can cool off in a lake or the sea along the way.
Sunscreen, insect repellent, and for longer hikes a first-aid kit are also must-haves.
Also read our hiking packing list
#3 Dangerous Animals While Hiking in Albania
There are some dangerous animals in Albania — but the chances of running into them while hiking are slim.
Bears do live in the Albanian mountains, but they inhabit very remote areas, so you’re unlikely to encounter them on the main hiking routes.
Several species of venomous snakes also live in Albania — including the most dangerous snake in Europe: the horned viper. It’s very shy, though, so an encounter is unlikely.
That said, you’ll probably spot the occasional snake while hiking in Albania — we say this from experience. We came across some in Berat, in Ksamil, and in the Alps. Most snakes are harmless.
Keep your distance from any snake you see. They’re more afraid of you than you are of them, and they really only bite if you step on them or provoke them.
You should also give sheepdogs a wide berth, as they can become aggressive.
More tips on dangerous animals in our article on safety in Albania
#4 Is Albania Safe for Hikers?
Yes, Albania is generally a very safe travel destination.
That said, hiking always carries certain risks — regardless of which country you’re in.
Stay focused at all times (especially on the descent) and don’t overestimate your abilities. Those are the most important rules for getting up the mountain and back down safely. Enough food, water, and sun protection are equally important.
In Albania, there’s also the added consideration of dangerous animals (see the section above).
We haven’t heard of any robberies or similar incidents targeting hikers in Albania, so that’s not something you need to worry about.
Also read our travel tips for Albania
#5 Trail Infrastructure in Albania
While hiking in Albania is very popular with visitors, hiking culture among locals is still developing. As a result, only a few trails are well-marked and well-maintained.
Many hiking trails in Albania are therefore only easy to navigate with a map app, and sometimes you’ll need to find your own way through the terrain. It definitely helps to arrive with some hiking experience already under your belt.
We recommend Komoot and MapsMe as hiking map apps on your phone.
Also worth knowing: there are very few stores selling hiking gear in Albania — so bring as much as you can from home.
