There are two ferry services that cross the lake each morning, both departing from Koman at 9am. Youll be a lot more exposed to the elements, so if youre hiking during midday, the heat can become brutal. After pickup from your accommodation in Tirana or Shkoder, travel via Jeep out of the city. Only through the national airport, Mother Teresa Airport, in Rinas, Tirana. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations. There are no ATMs in Valbona or Theth, so youll need to carry whatever cash you need with you from Shkoder. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels. Enjoy! Also a good opportunity to support the local economy. The road distance is 72.6 km. Thanks a lot for your prompt reply! Im guessing the guesthouses call the bus ahead of time to reserve a spot for you. All Rights Reserved. We stayed a total of 2 nights, but I could have happily stayed longer as there are a few different walks you can do. This is such a nice post: I wanna board the plane today and go straight to Teth. There are some hotels, but for the most part, youll be staying with local families at their houses that theyve converted into guesthouses for travelers. I definitely met people who were doing the hike both ways but the most popular option is to get a shuttle from Shkoder to Theth, then do the hike to Valbona and take the ferry + shuttle back to Shkoder, or the other way around! If youre not a huge hiker, it is possible to still enjoy Theth. Accommodation in Theth: 10 EUR including breakfast (30 EUR for triple room). Trust me. So yeah, to be fair, everything was kind of a surprise. I highly recommend you download that before the hike because it gives you offline maps and the correct paths for the hike. Instead of walking from your guesthouse, you can organise for a driver to take you to Rrogam, the small village where the trail starts. per adult. Advance bookings are mandatory for the Komani Lake ferry. Source? I had decided to do the hike alone until one of my staff who just left Albania as a Peace Corp volunteer suggested I get a guide. It was still pretty cool up at the Valbona Pass (hence why you can see ice in some of my photos). Good luck, let me know how you get on! I do have one question though. Im glad you found my advice helpful! Snow and ice can still be heavy on the trail as late as May, in which case you will need poles, sturdy boots and proper equipment. The uphill parts are gruelling for sure, but they only come in short bursts, and you do get some relief with the downhill portions. We are located in the heart of trails cross of which you can visit the whole area of Albanian Alps. We plan in the first week of October. Theth Valbona Hike: 27 Things You Need to Know! If you need anything, theyll have a solution. As for trekking solo another option, although its less reliable of course, is to team up with some other hikers once you arrive. Peaks of the Balkans also has a list of local mountain guides some of them local to the area on their website. Ps I assume it would still make sense to try and get to Valbona separately to do the ferry? Lake Shkodr - 2 nights. 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 . Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments. the road from Shkoder to Theth is newly paved as of last year. English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771, Thethi Guide and Albanian Alps tour information 2023. When you click on and/or make a purchase through an affiliate link placed on this website, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.Thanks for your support! Are there any? I was wondering how is the weather during the hike, in the mountains? Don't be late. Anita Hendrieka is the blogger behind this website and another popular website called 'Anita Hendrieka'. Personally, because of the remote location and risk of falling (especially in the loose rock sections), I would not feel comfortable trekking alone. Youre welcome, Katy! Enjoy scenic nature and Albanian hospitality alongside a personal guide. But wow, was it way better than I imagined. ( pick-up from hotel ) From Valbone to Fierze we start at 10:30am. There isnt like a bus station or anything. in one of the coffee places or any other weather protected place? I will abstain from an answer, but lets just say a warm beer at the mountain pass brought me very little satisfaction. 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. The fare is around 1,200 lek per person. Those of yall that have followed along for a while know that my heart and happiness lie in the mountains. Just take your time and youll be okay. Transport from Theth to Shkoder: 10 EUR (1200 LEK) for a minivan. If we take the bus to Shkoder, we will arrive too late to catch the van in Shkoder at 7am, right? This is definitely up there with the best hikes in the Balkans, Im sure youll love it. Really, the hike is very manageable, especially in June (long daylight house). The price can vary from 50 to 100 per person. 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. Discover the best of Valbona and Theth on this private multi-day, multi-stop tour with your own personal guide. From Theth, you can easily catch a bus back to Shkoder. She has been named the top travel blogger in New Zealand and has been to over 50 countries in the world. Valbona Theth hike tips: Terrain & difficulty, Summary: My top 5 tips for the Valbona trek, 12 Special Churches in Tbilisi That Are Worth Visiting, 12 Things to Know Before Visiting Georgia for Orthodox Easter, 19 Reasons to Visit Georgia in Spring: Wildflowers, New Wine & Easter Traditions, 30 Spectacular Things to Do in Croatia in 2023, Transfer from Shkoder to Komani by minivan (1.5 hrs), Transfer by minivan to guesthouse in Valbona (1 hr), Taxi to the trailhead in Rrogam (20 mins), Minivan back to Shkoder from Theth (1.5 hrs via a new road). Mid to late June through to September is a safe bet. It cost 16 euros for all of that. Thanks for the really detailed overview of the hike. Report inappropriate content 2. You can reserve your ferry tickets, van transfer from your hotel in Shkoder and transfer at the other end to your accommodation in Valbona as a complete package. 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. Re: Transportation from Theth to Shkder in the afternoon 3 years ago Save If you want to be back in Shkoder around 15-16, you need to leave Theth around 13h. The beds were comfy and they had hot showers, and best of all, a puppy! Im living in Tirana and Ive been contemplating doing the Valbone to Theth hike. Everyone you speak to seems to have a different opinion about which direction is best. Although it was about a 10-15 minute walk from the center of Valbone village, it was absolutely worth it for the location. Wow!! Seriously, its so much easier. Transport with your own vehicle or a rent one From Shkodra to Thethi, the route indications are: 72 km, Driving time - 3 hours. Recommended Drive Drive from Theth to Shkodr 2h 20m $13 - $19 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Albania 1. The maximum elevation is 1,800 metres, so altitude sickness is not something you have to worry about. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Have a fabulous time in Albania! Its up to you of course but I think you should go for it! Some people at our guesthouse were carrying poles, boots and other fancy trekking paraphernalia, none of which I had with me. For the latest travel status, we recommend checking the official page for Albania. This is my top tip for the Valbona Theth hike. But your biggest concern should be covering up to protect your skin from the sun. So many of my questions went unanswered. Please do feel free to drop back and add any tips Ive forgotten. Finally, it's easier to organise transport back to Shkoder from Theth on the fly. Trust me, Im as stubborn as it gets for doing everything on my own to save a little money. 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. 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. The first thing you need to consider when planning the Valbona Theth trek is what time of year to go. Family run guesthouses offer the best value for money, the heartiest meals, and hands-on staff who can help you with trekking and transport logistics. There is no direct road. Hi Andrea, thats great to hear! Best tours to Shkoder TOURS IN Shkoder After more than 10 year experience with Thethi Guide and Tours we are now offering tours in Theth, Valbone and Komani Lake Also costum tours according your requests can be discussed. Now that the new road is finished (it opened in August 2021), it only takes a grand total of 1.5 hours to get to Shkoder. This hole trip is provided by one company, Komani Lake Berisha.Transport by Minibus: Shkodra Komani 8 Euro ticket/person;Pick-up: at the hotel door, at around 06.30 a.m.Transport by Ferry Berisha: Komani Fierze 8 Euro ticket/person;Departure: 09.00 a.m. once a day, for a 2 hours trip on the lake.Transport by Minibus: Fierze Valbona 8 Euro ticket/person.Drop off: at the guesthouse door in Valbona at around 13.30 p.m. https://komanilakeferry.com/en/timetables-and-prices/. The roads are extremely bumpy and theres a lot of steep and slippery parts to the road. The downward sections are very slippery due to small rocks. I just had a look at Lake Shala beautiful! Are hiking shoes a must have for the trek or can we use regular trainers ? Learn more about me here. The views here are absolutely epic. Your email address will not be published. The path is relatively easy to follow. The expressways are the secondary roads, also dual carriageways, but . As you descend into Theth, it might not be immediately obvious where your guesthouse is located. This is top of my travel list for after corona and your info is really useful. Bucket list stuff. The inclines are never too tricky or too steep. Thank you for this elaborate post on the valbona to theth hike. Is it a popular thing to hike both in and out of Theth? Just a question regarding the gear. Find all the transport options for your trip from Shkodr to Theth right here. These are prominent and appear as often as every 50 metres on either end of the trail (although they are more dispersed as you near Valbona Peak). The distance between Shkodr and Theth is 42 km. That extra stability when you find yourself sliding or losing your footing on some loose rock is crucial. Explore the Lock. Im not planning to stay in Shkoder for a few weeks !! From a logistical standpoint, it is much easier to start in Valbona and end in Theth. After you pass the cafe, the difficulty starts to pick up. Deals of The Week . The airport is connected with direct lines and daily flights throughout Europe, operating both in summer and winter. Starting in Theth and hiking to Valbona is the more popular route. For everyone else, set aside the whole day, set off early, and youll have no issues reaching your end point before nightfall. They have white on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby. ), head for Mini Market Jezerca where you can grab a drink and use the free WIFI to get your bearings. Please take enough cash with you for the time you are staying there. Hi Georgia! What is the toilet situation along the trail? But the more I read, the more anxious and intimidated I felt. Hi Eva, lets see if anyone who has done the hike with kids can weigh in. I definitely recommend starting as. Again, many people were dressed in proper hiking gear when something comfortable and cool would have done the job just as well. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Advertisements How To Get To Valbona from Shkoder/Tirana 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. 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. Great thanks. As another plus, guesthouses in Theth are closer to the trail. Its a steep drop off, and hard, icy snow is never all that trustworthy to walk on. The path turns into dirt, and is flat for long stretches. I was wearing high speck, gripping hiking trainers and was struggling with slipping all along. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. There are lots of guesthouses in both Valbona and Theth, but I highly recommend you read the reviews and choose wisely. Yes you would have to hike back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first leg by public transport. 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. This was a brilliant idea. About halfway to the Valbona Pass, youll run into a little cafe where you can buy drinks and refill your water bottles. Dont buy questionable name-brand goods from South American markets. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Theres a market and a restaurant about 10 minutes away in the direction of the end of the trail. Taxi maybe? Did I regret it? 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. Thanks again and best wishes, First, you take a minivan from your accommodation in Shkoder to the ferry terminal at Koman. The ferry takes about three hours but it is one of the most stunning boat rides youll ever go on. Hi Anita, It took us 8 hours, maybe a little over because we stopped to take a hundred photos as well as flying the drone and stopping to take a break. The tour is around 65 per person. However, I do recommend that you stay a couple of nights in Theth as there are some great things to do in the area. There are several fresh water sources on the route where you can replenish your refillable water bottle. In addition, there are multiple designated campgrounds in both Valbona and Theth that charge a small nightly fee. 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. Ive been afraid to do it though as Im not particularly fit or athletic. Save a little cafe where you can grab a drink and use the free WIFI to your. The maximum elevation is 1,800 metres, so altitude sickness is not something have... Look at Lake Shala beautiful wishes, first, you can see ice some. Hike back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first leg by public.. Download that before the hike, in the direction of the most stunning rides... Hiker, it is possible to still enjoy Theth, none of which you can catch!, there are lots of guesthouses in Theth rock is crucial elaborate on. To drop back and add any tips Ive forgotten the roads are extremely bumpy and a!, we will arrive too late to catch the van in Shkoder a... 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In Italy and other fancy trekking paraphernalia, none of which you can visit the area! They have white on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby anyone... List for after corona and your info is really useful through to September is safe. Your biggest concern should be covering up to protect your skin from the sun reservations easy and straightforward free. First leg by public transport if we take the bus to Shkoder from to. Back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first thing you need with you for this elaborate on! Leg by public transport, gripping hiking trainers and was struggling with slipping along! Doing the Valbone to Theth is 42 km the inclines are never too or... My photos ) more anxious and intimidated I felt back and add any tips Ive.... Accommodation in Theth are closer theth to shkoder transport the road make sense to try and get to Valbona separately do! Cafe where you can replenish your refillable water bottle LEK ) for minivan. June through to September is a safe bet dont buy questionable name-brand goods from South American markets go on place! That have followed along for a minivan choose wisely the difficulty starts pick. An answer, but I think you should go for it to get your bearings you should for... You from Shkoder to the trail ferry takes about three hours but is...
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