Breathtakingly beautiful and full of tradition
A mountain path strewn with loose boulders leads up the valley. Below, a small river flows. The call of a bird of prey echoes among the high mountain walls. The clouds seem to hang around mountain peaks for a moment before blowing away and dissolving. In this landscape, everything becomes small and humble; the rest of the world seems endlessly distant. A shepherd passes with his sheep, the bleating ebbs away. This is the domain of the lynx, wolf and few human inhabitants who live by ancient traditions. While large parts of Albania are in the process of catching up with contemporary Europe, life here ripples on without the need for major changes. In the remote and rugged north that is still the reality today, a walk in the Albanian Alps is almost like a trip through time. Don't wait too long, changes are imminent here too.
Valbonë, Lake Komani, the Valley of Theth
What suits you best? Take a road trip through the Valley of Theth to the heart of Theth National Park over hairpin bends and past lovely rivers, stopping along the way for a delicious local dish and plenty of couleur locale. A spectacularly beautiful boat ride on Lake Komani takes one past steep mountain sides. Or take a spirited day hike between Valbonë and Theth for an intense experience in this isolated world. Shorter walks or multi-day hikes are also possible. Hiking trails are officially accessible from June to October.