Hiking in Albania
Including Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park (Theth to Valbona Pass). On the map.
The vibe
The trails wind through limestone peaks and isolated villages, giving a sense of stepping into a living pastoral landscape unlike the polished Alpine routes. Late spring through early autumn is when the passes are clear and the wildflowers are in bloom. You’ll share the path with shepherds and families, so the vibe is modestly busy but still feels local.
park ticket
Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park (Theth to Valbona Pass)
Kukës County
Alexkom000 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Trek through the dramatic limestone peaks of the Accursed Mountains on the famous pass connecting Theth and Valbona. This iconic alpine route takes you across high-altitude meadows, beech forests, and towering rocky amphitheaters. It offers some of the most rewarding trekking in the Western Balkans.
Access. Accessible by 4x4 or high-clearance transport from Shkodër to Theth. The trail itself is well-trodden and clearly marked as part of the Peaks of the Balkans trail.
Notes. Best hiked between June and September. Snow can linger on the pass well into late spring, and weather changes rapidly.