Shkoder to Valbona: Hiking Route Through the Albanian Alps
This interactive route runs from Shkodër through Theth in northern Albania, crossing the Valbona Pass before reaching Valbona in the Albanian Alps. Spanning about 47.6 km, it traces a mountain hiking corridor through the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije).
- Distance
- 47.6 km
- Duration
- 9 h 31 min
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Shkodër
- End
- Valbona
- Stops
- 4
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Shkodër — Town in northern Albania where the drive to Theth begins.
- Theth — Mountain village and trailhead for the hike to Valbona.
- Valbona Pass — Mountain pass crossed on the Theth to Valbona trail.
- Valbona — Valley village at the end of the Theth to Valbona hike.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Start the Theth to Valbona hike early in the morning; the presenter started around 8:45 and expects it to get hot later in the day.
- Transport
- The trailhead in Theth is easy to find: there is one main road through the village, so just follow it to reach the trail.
- Transport
- Drive from Shkodër to Theth is very scenic; the road passes through mountain valleys and small villages before crossing a pass.
- Where to stay
- Stay in a guest house in Theth rather than camping if rain is forecast; the presenter found heavy rain made wild camping unpleasant.
- Tip
- Expect pack horses along the trail and be careful around them; the presenter saw handlers lose control of the animals at times.
- Tip
- Trail is well marked with signs, but the route is simple to follow; watch for trail signs and stay on the main path.
- Food
- Several mountain cafés along the way serve cold drinks, pie, watermelon and full meals, offering good views for a break.
- Tip
- Some sections are exposed granite, so proper trail shoes are a sensible choice for long hiking days.
- Avoid
- Garbage piles are visible along parts of the trail, which the presenter found disappointing.
- Tip
- There is no cable car on this trail; the hike requires significant climbing to reach Valbona Pass.
Video on this route
The Accursed Mountains Are UNREAL! Hiking Theth to Valbona in the Albanian Alps