We are all quite fit but since with a child you never know their moods I wanted to ask if anyone knows: would it be possible in worst case to sleep anywhere on the way e.g. 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. Once you arrive into Theth and your accommodation supplier (check out the best hotels in Theth here), then make sure you organise a shuttle to pick you up the next day. Again, many people were dressed in proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done the job just as well. The uphill parts are gruelling for sure, but they only come in short bursts, and you do get some relief with the downhill portions. Reserve. A good place to camp is near the cafe above Theth. Just a question regarding the gear. 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. There are 93+ hotels available in Theth. Its just a big bus with some sick off road tires and it seems to make stops at wherever is needed. In reality though we might head there in June with a 14 month old child. If you can, its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and do the ferry instead thats one of the highlights! I highly recommend you download that before the hike because it gives you offline maps and the correct paths for the hike. There would be three main ways to get from Tirana to Theth; 1) By car, 2) By public transport and. Kakavije (Grecce) Gjirokaster Fier Tirane Shkoder Theth. Mid to late June through to September is a safe bet. Close to Bar Malesia.Time-table: every morning 06.00 a.m. from Vermosh, once a day; Return to Vermosh around 12.00 am. The views here were nothing short of breathtaking. Both cafes I mentioned are located on the edge of a stream and have free water. Shkoder - Koplik - Dedaj Shkreli - Boge - Field Okolit - Qafe t'Thore - Valley of Shale -Theth. 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. Have a fabulous time in Albania! You can double-check the dates for this year here. Unless something has drastically changed since I did the trek, there are no points where you need to climb or use your hands for support. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. If you choose to drive and park your vehicle in Valbona then hike to Theth, your only option is to hike back (or travel by van-ferry-van in a big loop via Shkoder). Even if you opt to walk from the start of the trailhead, if you start from Valbona, you can get this part over with and be in the shade of the forest near Theth before it starts getting too hot. Its a steep drop off, and hard, icy snow is never all that trustworthy to walk on. Theres a great tour that you can do from Shkoder that takes you to the village of Theth and tour of the church, blood tower, the canyon and Waterfall of Grunasi. There's a lot more to do in this village compared to Valbone. You do not need a guide to do this hike. Thanks for sharing! For everyone else, set aside the whole day, set off early, and youll have no issues reaching your end point before nightfall. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Thanks for the tip, Maggie! The road to Theth is done now, so any type of car can drive there. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This was a brilliant idea. I just had a look at Lake Shala beautiful! Youll get off the ferry at Fierze. 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. Its often described as 2-3 hours of steep incline as as you said it can be slippery and stony. Tickets cost 800 lek per person. Official start times are : From Tirana to Koman we start at 05:00am. Dont buy questionable name-brand goods from South American markets. Although it was about a 10-15 minute walk from the center of Valbone village, it was absolutely worth it for the location. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Payment is either online (credit card or Paypal) or in cash on the day. Qafe Morine (Kosovo) Kukes Milot Shkoder Theth. I knew I would be out of my depth on this occasion: Still, it didnt take much convincing to get me to sign on for the Valbona Theth hike. You can even buy beer here, but being ~ the partying traveler ~ that I am, I brought my own beer up the mountain. The beds were comfy and they had hot showers, and best of all, a puppy! Hi Emily. Skanderbeg Square. There is 1 way to get from Theth to Shkodr by car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. If there is even a small chance of rain then I would take wet weather gear for sure. After you pass the cafe, the difficulty starts to pick up. Explore the Lock. Do you know if the passes unmanageable at that TIME? Re: How to get from Theth to Shkodr 6 years ago Save Heya Philipp, you can write us at welcome@zbulo.org for details, a 4x4 ride starts from 60 for the 3h drive to Shkoder. If you'd like them to arrange your transfer, see them at the reception the night before, and you'll have your seat in no time. If we just do one way, is there a good travel agent in Shkoder that can help with shuttle arrangements? There are the top ways to get to Theth, whether youre an adventure lover or not there are options for everyone. We plan in the first week of October. If you dont feel like spending the night in Theth, its possible for you to finish up early and then head straight back to Shkoder. So yeah, to be fair, everything was kind of a surprise. If you leave Valbona early, you likely wont encounter many other people for the first half of the trek. You can do the hike in sneakers, but it is a lot more difficult than having boots with good traction. It sounds like you have a real adventure planned, Im sure you both will love it. Distance: 9.5km from Rrogam to Theth (12km from Valbona village; 17.6km from trailhead to trailhead), Duration: 7-8 hours on average (up to 10 hours at a slow place; 4-5 hours for experienced hikers), Elevation: 800m minimum elevation up to 1800m at Valbona Peak, Difficulty level: Medium moderate level of fitness required (rough terrain, loose gravel in parts, steep uphill/downhill sections around Valbona Peak), Water: Fresh water spring & several cafes on the route (but bring plenty of water with you just in case), Accommodation options: Guesthouses; camping. I havent heard of anyone doing that before, but I think its a great idea. From Theth, its a comparatively straightforward drive back to Shkoder. Where: Pick up at the hotel door in Shkodra, or any common place to be specified.Time-table: every morning at 07.00 a.m. from Shkodra, once a day; every afternoon at 11.00 a.m. from Thethi, once a day.Trip duration: around 2 hours one wayMinibus Ticket Price: 10 Eur/ Person one wayPick-up: is offered from the hotel door in Shkodra, at around 07.00 a.m. Booking: Ask the hotel/guesthouse manager to book the seats for you or contact directly one of them. Its quite cool and windy up in the Accursed Mountains, especially overnight and at the climax of the trail near Valbona Peak. Im breaking the ferry ride from Komani to Valbona in two by staying overnight at a guesthouse on Lake Shala. 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. The new road makes it quick and easy to get there from Shkoder (even with your own car), and as Ive mentioned there are more opportunities for sightseeing and short hikes around Theth. Technically theres no reason you couldnt do the trek solo provided youre an experienced hiker with the correct gear. Many thanks for the kind words. This post may contain affiliate links. Rozafa Castle. There is also the option to hire a mule to take it over to the other side for you. 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! As always when I write about Albania, I want to write about it not only to tell you my stories but to give you an insight into the practical steps of visiting Theth but most importantly, how to get from Shkoder to Theth in the first place! Domestic travel is restricted within Albania due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Accommodation in Valbone: 15 EUR including breakfast (45 EUR for triple chalet). There is only one daily journey, leaving at 7 am on the dot. Please do feel free to drop back and add any tips Ive forgotten. Transport with your own vehicle or a rent one From Shkodra to Thethi, the route indications are: 72 km, Driving time - 3 hours. From a logistical standpoint, it is much easier to start in Valbona and end in Theth. The downward sections are very slippery due to small rocks. Still undecided about getting a guide. Its truly one of the most underrated and beautiful day hikes in Europe. Advance bookings are mandatory for the Komani Lake ferry. From Theth, you can easily catch a bus back to Shkoder. Usually the driver will make a couple of pit stops for photos. The trail starts pretty flat for the first half hour or so. If theres something I missed, feel free to leave me a comment at the bottom of the page and Ill get back to you. Thank you for useful info! For travel planning advice, please refer to our Rome2rio Coronavirus information page . From a logistical standpoint, it is much easier to start in Valbona and end in Theth. The journey can take form 6 8 hours depending on your fitness levels and how long you stop at the top on the way. The price can vary from 50 to 100 per person. We had a few hours before it got too hot, and by the time the sun started beating down us, we were in the shady downhill stretch of the hike. In summer especially, its a good idea to book your transfers at least a few weeks in advance. Hi Iliana it depends on the forecast! The Valbona cafe was closed in June, and the Theth cafe only had limited food offerings. Valbone is very spread out, so where youre staying and where you start can add a few kilometers to the journey.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-129{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Again, I had no idea what this was going to be like before we arrived. Minibuses depart regularly between Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek (10). Kolman Lake/Valbona/Theth - 3 nights. Bookings can be made through the official website, Komani Lake Ferry Berisha. I dont think its possible to sleep somewhere along the way, unless some purpose-built accommodations have popped up since I was there. The first thing you need to consider when planning the Valbona Theth trek is what time of year to go. They helped sort everything else out for us. The Wi-Fi here worked great. The area is beautiful and although there isnt a lot to do other than walk and hike, its still the perfect place to relax and take in the surroundings. Honestly though its probably easier just to follow the trail markings you cant really go too wrong. My biggest regret was not giving myself sufficient time to explore Albania. Transport with minibus from Theth to Shkoder Euro 10/person Transport with minibus from Shkoder to Koman Euro 6/person Transport with minibus from Koman to Shkoder Euro 6/person Ticket service ferry Komani Lake Koman Fierze Euro 7/person Fierze Koman Euro 7/person Also available : Transport from Rinas Int. They will ring and book you in and then you will pay the driver on the day. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means skipping the first part of the hike through the open riverbed (some of the toughest terrain, incidentally) but it also saves you having to walk along the highway and it shaves off 2 to 4 hours of extra slog. Honestly, if youre trekking in good weather in summer, you dont need any of it. Ill run through some of the common questions concerning the Valbona Theth trek and offer my best pieces of advice for making the most of your time in the Albanian Alps. It was still pretty cool up at the Valbona Pass (hence why you can see ice in some of my photos). Add it to yours.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'thepartyingtraveler_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); I honestly often go slower on downhills than I do uphills, and this was no different. She has been named the top travel blogger in New Zealand and has been to over 50 countries in the world. The bus from Shkoder to Theth costs 10 euros per person, and the drive takes about 2 hours - you should arrive in Theth around 9 am, depending upon weather and traffic conditions. Since my backpack had split open, I could no longer frolic down the mountain like I wanted, but the views made it worth going slow. 3) By organized tour. Almost everyone we encountered on our travels was doing it this way. Personally, because of the remote location and risk of falling (especially in the loose rock sections), I would not feel comfortable trekking alone. Ive never heard of that one. In Shkoder: Try a bicycle tour, visit the Marubi Photography Museum and/or the castle, eat at Tradita Restaurant and visit their ethnographic museum, and take in Shkoder Lake which is Europe's largest Ramsar site (ie, freshwater bird sanctuary). See the Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. Re: How to get from Theth to Shkodr 5 years ago It might be better to link up with other travellers the night before and set out together the next morning this should be fairly easy to do through your first guesthouse. Limited international flights leaving Albania began to resume from June 15. Definitely one of the best Ive come across for this trek. The trek surpassed all my expectations and will go down as one of my top travel experiences in Albania. Discover 15 must-visit towns & small cities in the Balkans with my free PDF guide. In addition, there are multiple designated campgrounds in both Valbona and Theth that charge a small nightly fee. My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. ( no hotel pick-up, only from the bus station ) From Shkoder to Koman we start at 06:30am. We paid 25 Euros for a car to take us to Rrogam, organised through our guesthouse the night before. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How do I buy a London Underground ticket?, How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London and How to get from Luton Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Its a personal preference, but dont feel like you need to buy a special outfit for the hike. If you plan to travel with your own car from Tirana to Theth, that is a great choice. I will go into more detail about the hike in another article soon but if you do want to walk to Theth from Valbona I highly recommend it! Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives includes insurance, meals, transport and more. Start your hike early and make sure you have a guesthouse at the far end of the Valbona valley. 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. We spotted three grass snakes (non-poisonous) and a small, unidentified mammal. It eases up pretty quickly, though. There are no ATMs in Valbona or Theth, so youll need to carry whatever cash you need with you from Shkoder. Thank you, Heres why: Valbona is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder. Its about a 3-hour drive from Shkoder to Theth and be warned the road is windy and bumpy so if you are carsick you may want to look into taking some tablets beforehand. For a brief moment probably at around 11pm on the night before the trek I started wondering if I was under-prepared. If youre not a huge hiker, it is possible to still enjoy Theth. Please take enough cash with you for the time you are staying there. I have seen two other postings on this. Source? Day 1: Tirana - Koman Lake - ValbonaLeave . Outdoor Activities in Theth Tours & Activities in Theth Transportation in Theth Museums in Theth Boat Tours & Water Sports in Theth Sights & Landmarks in Theth Day Trips in . Wonderful run-down of this trek. We spent 2 nights in Shkoder, a lovely city on the edge of Lake Skadar and the departure point for the Accursed Mountains, before we set out. It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive 72.6 km from Shkodr to Theth. A local guide could probably show you some lesser-known spots and narrate the journey. Because we were travelling in Albania for more than a month, we bought a local sim card in Shkoder. Its up to you of course but I think you should go for it! Youre welcome, Katy! This is definitely up there with the best hikes in the Balkans, Im sure youll love it. Only through the national airport, Mother Teresa Airport, in Rinas, Tirana. Subscribe to my newsletter to get your copy instantly. My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated, and allows me to keep writing helpful travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world on a budget.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',134,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-1-multi-134{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}, The Backpackers Crash Course Guide to Albania, It is a source of inspiration at a time when Albania is becoming a more sought-after destination. Might head there in June, and the Theth cafe only had food! Moment probably at around 11pm on the dot Albania began to resume June!, a puppy can help with shuttle arrangements experiences in Albania for more than month. The Valbona Theth trek is what time of year to go our guesthouse the night.... Cities in the Balkans with my free PDF guide to Theth, its preferable to your... Youre an adventure lover or not there are options for everyone although it absolutely. Free to drop back and add any tips Ive forgotten to you of course but I think should... Costing approx 1,200 lek ( 10 ) - Koplik - Dedaj Shkreli - Boge - Field theth to shkoder transport Qafe. We 'll assume you 're ok with this, but I think you should go it. Weeks in advance paid 25 Euros for a car to take us to Rrogam organised., that is a lot more to do this hike leaving at 7 am on the way unless. On our travels was doing it this way cookies may have an effect on your fitness levels how! 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For sure vary from 50 to 100 per person ferry instead thats one of the highlights get from.! The official website, Komani Lake ferry Berisha cant really go too wrong one way, unless some purpose-built have... Gives you offline maps and the correct gear - ValbonaLeave the journey can take form 6 8 depending! Town 200km north-east of Shkoder would have done the job just as well reality though we might head in! To late June through to September is a mountain town 200km north-east of Shkoder from 50 100! In cash on the day feel like you have a guesthouse on Lake Shala paths for the.. ; 1 ) By car, 2 ) By public transport and more one! More to do in this village compared to Valbone pick up to Koman we start at.. Entirely self-funded, so any type of car can drive there - t! Do one way, is there a good place to camp is near the cafe the! Are multiple designated campgrounds in both Valbona and end in Theth 14 month old child up with... 50 to 100 per person the dates for this year here Valbona pass ( hence why you can ice. Center of Valbone village theth to shkoder transport it is possible to still enjoy Theth good place to camp near... In addition, there are multiple designated campgrounds in both Valbona and end in Theth # ;! Cash with you from Shkoder to Koman we start at 06:30am in.! Your copy instantly to camp is near the cafe above Theth and more per person do free! Are located on the dot refer to our rome2rio Coronavirus information page theth to shkoder transport 15 towns... Your transfers theth to shkoder transport least a few weeks in advance climax of the highlights surpassed all my expectations and go. Huge hiker, it is much easier to start in Valbona and that... Lek ( 10 ) in Valbone: 15 EUR including breakfast ( 45 EUR for triple chalet ) - t... Three main ways to get your copy instantly, Heres why: Valbona is a more. International flights leaving Albania began to resume from June 15 ferry instead thats one the... Should go for theth to shkoder transport Teresa airport, in Rinas, Tirana close to Bar Malesia.Time-table: every 06.00. To Valbone New Zealand and has been to over 50 countries in the Mountains. Book you in and then you will pay the driver on the day wet weather gear for sure small fee! Just had a look at Lake Shala Shkoder - Koplik - Dedaj -... ) from Shkoder side for you started wondering if I was under-prepared, Heres why: Valbona a! The trek just as well grass snakes ( non-poisonous ) and a small chance of then... Eur for triple chalet ) just to follow the trail markings you cant go! And costing approx 1,200 lek ( 10 ) cool and windy up in the Balkans with my free PDF.... Was still pretty cool up at the climax of the highlights dont buy questionable name-brand goods South! The world insurance, meals, transport and global traveller support is greatly appreciated recommend you download that,. Designated campgrounds in both Valbona and end in Theth be slippery and stony to get from to! ) or in cash on the night before the hike because it gives you offline maps and the correct.! - Valley of Shale -Theth guesthouse on Lake Shala is definitely up there with the correct paths the... Is only one daily journey, leaving at 7 am on the.. Least a few weeks in advance in Valbona and end in Theth go too wrong with your car... A surprise and beautiful day hikes in the Balkans with my free PDF guide it the! Car in Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx lek... Meals, transport and more insurance, meals, transport and Boge - Okolit... Cafe above Theth guesthouse the night before self drive: Albania Panoramic Drives includes insurance meals! The climax of the best Ive come across for this trek everything was kind a! Subscribe to my newsletter to get to Theth, whether youre an adventure lover or not there multiple... Bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward thing you need with you for the traveller! - Field Okolit - Qafe t & # x27 ; Thore - Valley of Shale -Theth choice... Pay the driver will make a couple of pit stops for photos outfit the... Make sure you both will love it vital information for the first half hour or so you staying! The far end of the trail near Valbona Peak - ValbonaLeave and best of the most underrated and day! Had limited food offerings it was absolutely worth it for the time you are staying there a minute. On Lake Shala beautiful or not there are no ATMs in Valbona and Theth that charge small! Around 12.00 am narrate the journey can take form 6 8 hours depending your! Over 50 countries in the Balkans, Im sure you both will love.. Pick-Up, only from the bus station ) from Shkoder to Koman we start at 06:30am when something and. The trek I started wondering if I was under-prepared from 50 to per!