Hiking in the Theth Valley in Albania
This “Hiking in the Theth Valley in Albania” blog is for backpackers who want to visit the Theth Valley in Albania to hike with limited time. I have put together this schedule with options to help you out.
The best time to visit is from May/June to October. The warmest period is July/August. The high season being August.
Here is a link to the Theth Guide for further information about the area.
CONTENT
HOW TO GET TO THE THETH VALLEY
DAY 1 – TIRANA TO SHKODER
Catch a bus from the Northern Bus Station in Tirana to Shkoder.
Location: Dritan Hoxha Street – on the right side (1km away from Zogu I Zi Square). Travel time is 2 ½ hrs approximately. 300 lek. Bus departures are between 6:00am – 5:00pm.
The bus arrives in Shkoder on Ruaga Teuta close to the main tourist area.
Organize transport to Theth or Valbona the same day. This can be done through your guest house or you will be directed to someone who can organize it.
TIP 1: I would also buy any snacks that you want or camping food in Shkoder as there is a better selection and cheaper.
TIP 2: You can also organize to leave any luggage that you don’t need in the hostel in Shkoder.
TWO OPTIONS TO TRAVEL AND HIKE IN THE THETH VALLEY
OPTION 1
DAY 2 – SHKODER TO VALBONA BY FERRY
The minibus will pick you up from your accommodation between 7-8 am and transport you to the ferry landing on Lake Korman.
The ferry sails to Fierza where another minibus will take you to Valbona, and on request to the head of the Valbona to Theth trail.
The transport to Valbona costs approximately 1900 lek.
It is possible to start hiking that afternoon as there are guesthouses further along the trail. Or you can camp.
DAY 3 – VALBONA TO THETH VALLEY HIKE
Carry on hiking up over the ridge to Theth. You can either book into a guest house or find a camp site or hike further down towards the Blue Eye Lake and camp near the river.
DAY 4 – HIKE TO THE BLUE EYE
Hike to the Blue Eye and back. This post will give you all the information you need. slightnorth.com/hike-to-the-blue-eye-of-theth
www.wikiloc.com/mountaineering-trails/blue-eye-theth
DAY 5 – HIKE TO CAFA PEJES PASS
Hike up the Theth Valley to Cafa Pejes Pass and return the same day. Or you could hike to the Albanian and Montenegro border if you were planning to camp. Then return to Theth the next day.
This pdf from the Peaks of the Balkans gives you all the information you need peaksofthebalkans.com/pdf
DAY 6 – RETURN TO SHKODER
Catch the bus or 4×4 to Shkoder 4 hours, 10 Euros. This can be organised by the guesthouse you are staying in. Bus or 4×4 leaves between 8am – 9am.
OPTION 2
DAY 2 – SHKODER TO THETH
Catch the bus to Theth 4 hours, 10 Euros. Stay in a guesthouse or camp that night.
DAY 3 – HIKE TO CAJA E VALBONES
Hike up to the Theth/Valbona ridge, Caja e Valbones and return. This post will give you more detailed information of the hike. slightnorth.com/hike-from-theth-to-valbona-peak
DAY 4 – HIKE TO THE BLUE EYE LAKE
Hike to the Blue Eye Lake. Visit a water fall and canyon (Kanioni i Grunasit) on the way.
DAY 5 – HIKE UP THE THETH VALLEY
Day hike up the Theth Valley and climb up onto the plateau and return
DAY 6 – RETURN TO SHKODER
Return to Shkoder by bus 4 hours, 10 Euros Leaves approximately between 8-9am. There is also an afternoon bus.
You can ask to be dropped off where the coaches depart then catch onward transport to Podgerica, Montenegro onto Kotor or down to Tirana or further south to Himare the same day. Change buses in Tirana for travel further south.
If you found this post helpful, how about checking out some of the other hiking destinations covered by The Backpacking Hiker below.
- Hiking-trails-in-the-Balkans
- Hiking-trails-in-the-Caucasus-Mountains
- How-we-hiked-the-Lycian-Way
- Hiking-and-Wild-Camping-in-Switzerland
- The-Peaks-of-the-Balkans-hiking-trail
I don’t receive any monetary rewards from any of the links in this post. They are there purely for your benefit.
Hi, you mentioned there are guesthouses along the trail from Valbona side. Do you know if there are also guesthouses along the trail from Theth to the Peak or near the Peak? Wondering if it is possible to do the Theth to Valbona hike in 2 days and sleep over in a guesthouse. Or if some of the cafes along the path offer sleeping options (not camping)?
Hello Dianshan,
Thanks for your message. Unfortunately i am unaware of any guesthouses along the trail, only at either end. There are of course camping spots.
Regards
Shaun Harrison