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Hiking along the Albanian Riviera

Take a beautiful walking holiday along the Albanian coast. Enjoy the stunning scenery. The tour includes luggage transport as you hike along the best routes.

8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate

Backed by the 2000 metre Ceuranian peaks, the Albanian Riviera stretches from the Karaburun Peninsula all the way to the Greek border and attracts thousands of beachgoers during the hot summer months. In spring and autumn, the climate is perfect for enjoying the mountains and beaches on an amazing walking holiday! The hike starts high above the coastline, which provides some amazing views of the deep blue sea and rugged coastline. You'll hike on beautiful shepherd paths, through citrus and olive groves, from one idyllic village to another. Swim in the sparkling, crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea on some of the hidden beaches. Breathe in the fresh mountain air and savour Albanian food - a mix of fresh Mediterranean and hearty mountain cuisine. Discover what lies beyond the coast and what most people miss out on when they go on a beach holiday - all at your own pace and without worries. Your luggage is transported, your accommodation is ready and the logistics are in place for an exciting experience.

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More about the route

Moderate day hikes of 3-5 hours, most of which can be shortened, lengthened or even skipped according to your preferences. Coastal, inland and alpine routes follow rocky and ill-defined shepherd paths and forgotten farm tracks.  The more ambitious have the opportunity to reach the second highest peak in the coastal mountains.
The hiking routes on the Albanian Riviera and in the Ceraunian coastal mountains are often narrow and uneven, and sometimes steep and rocky. This tour follows the coastline. In many places the route is off-the-beaten-track and the signposting is not of the same quality as in the Central European Alps, so you will be provided with a backup GPS device to solve unclear situations. It's highly unlikely that this route will be challenging for people with a fear of heights.

Itinerary

Here you can see the programme for the week

Welcome to Albania! We meet in Tirana (airport or city), where you receive the materials (roadbook, maps, GPS unit, SIM-Card) and a briefing on the upcoming days. The extended drive South to the Albanian Riviera passes the Vjosa River, salt pans of the Narta Lagoon and above the Bay of Vlore with coastal vista before reaching the Llogara tunnel. On its other end, the sun-kissed Albanian Riviera awaits and a winding road takes you through the charming Mediterranean villages to the small seaside city Himare. A hotel by the sea will be your base for the upcoming five nights, from where you will transfer for daily hikes to the picturesque pebble beaches and the idyllic villages of the Ionian Coast.

Meals included: None
Transfer time: approx. 4 hours

Hotel (example): Dhima

 

The scenic morning drive along glistening bays ends at the foot of the inland village Kudhes. The winding cement road takes you through olive trees and houses up to the heart of the village, where the generous shade of the plane trees invites for a coffee in the company of the friendly locals. The rocky shepherds' path that follows upon exiting the village is adorned by bright pink oleanders and lush green cypress trees. Slowly ascending, flocks of goats grazing the grounds raise their heads towards you with curiosity. Arriving at the terraced fields, the view opens to the deep blue sea and over to the island Corfu in the close background. Soon, you arrive at the Oldtown Qeparo on the hilltop. Time seems to stand still in the maze of stone houses and cobbled streets, and a “hidden” viewpoint overlooks the olive fields and tranquil shore. From here, you can descend to the New Qeparo by the beach or continue the walk above the shoreline, across the hillside towards Borsh, to enjoy the coastal landscape a little longer.

Meals included: Breakfast
Transfer time: approximately 2 x 20min

Hotel (example): Dhima

 

Instead of mountains, today's route takes you over cliffs and through Mediterranean marshes from one beautiful beach to another. It's a hilly walk and a perfect day of hiking and swimming along the Albanian Riviera.
The day starts with a transfer (30 minutes) to the village of Vuno - one of the most distinctive villages on the coast. The white, hillside houses, the centuries-old Orthodox churches, the central outdoor café and the partisan memorial invite you to take an exploratory stroll. The idyllic descent through olive groves is a pleasure as you approach the sea again. The seaside resort of Jal is also known as the Ibiza of the country and close by is the beach called ‘Aquarium’. It can only be reached on foot and is named after the exceptionally clear water.
Accompanied by the sound of the crashing waves, walk along the red-painted path until you reach Livadhi beach. You can choose to stop here to swim some more, walk through the town to your hotel or walk the thousand-year-old cobbled path up to Oldtown Himara and its ancient castle. The hilltop town offers a similar atmosphere to Qeparo, a high view of the surroundings and is especially beautiful just before sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast
Transfer time: approximately 30 minutes

Hotel (example): Dhima

 

Today you'll visit the lesser-known southern part of the Riviera on a hike in the coastal mountains, opposite the beaches. From Lukova, an initially steep shepherd's path leads you up to the ridge with views of the terraced hills plunging into the turquoise sea. Soon Corfu also appears on the horizon and when you reach the pass you can see the wild, lonely hinterland on the other side of the mountain. Weather permitting, it's even possible to follow a steep and challenging path up to the Lavani peak, the highest point in the area, from where the views are magnificent. The descent follows a wide gravel road so you can look up and enjoy the view all the way down to Piqeras, where you reconnect with the outside world. From here you'll be driven back to Himara where you can rest for a while. In the evening, take an evening stroll in the bustling city centre or enjoy a cocktail on the beach.

Meals included: Breakfast
Transfer time: approximately 1,5 hours

Hotel (example): Dhima

 

A relaxed and diverse walk takes you to the Southern side of the Riviera once more. Starting in Lukova, you walk through the flower adorned houses, down the old cobblestone alleys and even discover a small waterfall. Continue through uniform paths and endless terraces of olive groves, constructed by human hand only, without the help of any machinery. Here, during communism, political prisoners were converted to forced labourers. After a smooth descent, you land in Bunec beach. The open skyline, tranquil sea, and the unusual emptiness of the pebbly shore make it seem like a scene from a stranded film. You walk along the shoreline, pass by a relict concrete quay and ascend on a little-used path, admiring the shimmer of the turquoise waters from above. Continuing the stroll along the hillside, dwelling into the Mediterranean atmosphere, the endless seeming Borsh beach slowly comes to view. It calls for a refreshing swim and one last mental picture of the romantic surroundings, before returning for the final overnight to Himare.

Meals included: Breakfast 
Transfer time: approximately 1.5 hours

Hotel (example): Dhima

 

Today the heights of the Ceraunian Mountains and Llogara National Park are calling. Alternatively you may skip the most demanding walk of this journey, spend the day in Himare and transfer up in the late afternoon. A driver will take you to the highest point of the Llogara pass at above 1000 meters above sea level. Here a wide gravel path steadily leads to the radio towers at the ridge, where the lush green Karaburun Peninsula's western slopes plunge steeply into the deep blue Ionian Sea. Panoramic views of the rugged Albanian Riviera and the Bay of Vlora on the other side accompany the walk along the peninsula’s spine. A rocky, partly trailess path gives the opportunity to climb Mt. Gjipali (1.446 m) for a high-up picnic break, taking a moment to memorize the harsh beauty of the entire coastal line. Afterward, you descend into a mountain pasture and then enter the Deep Pass and enter a rainforest-like green corridor that offers generous shade in the afternoon. This is an important biosphere reserve, famous in particular for its 500-year-old black pines and firs. The curious shapes the trees take from the winds, especially when engulfed by fog, create the atmosphere of an enchanted forest. Tonight you spend the night in a comfy mountain hotel in the national park.

Meals included: Breakfast
Transfer time: approx. 1 hour

Hotel (example): Alpine

 

A short transfer takes you to today's trailhead, at the highest point of the Llogara Pass (1.043 m). A narrow, partly steep trail takes you up through ancient snakeskin pines. During communism, the tree giants were tapped for resin, today they rest peacefully surrounded by chamomile and sage. You steadily walk up the zig-zag shepherd's trail, and the first viewpoint rewards with views over the endless blue of the Ionian Sea and the Albanian Riviera. Today’s goal lies beneath the rocky peak of Qorre (2.018 m) at the Dhjopuri Saddle (1.600 m). There you can take a rest and enjoy the views of the Llogara Pass, separating the Karaburun Peninsula from the rest of the riviera, and the village Dukat at the foot of the mountain. Why not use the time for a high-up picnic? Later on, stroll down the same way down to one of the beer-garden restaurants. A driver will pick you up from here for the transfer to Albania's modern capital, where you will arrive in the later afternoon. If you prefer to spend more time in Tirana, please let us know in advance to arrange a morning transfer instead.

Meals included: Breakfast and packed lunch
Transfer time: approx. 3,5 hours

Hotel (example): Vila 60

 

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel takes place.
A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight (40 min). If you have time, it is recommended to spend a few hours in the capital city, soaking up the atmosphere, history and last sights before travelling home.

Meals included: Breakfast

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

Price includes

Extras
  • SIngle room
  • Transport from/to Albania
  • Tourist taxes at the hotels, if applicable
  • Administration fee (20 euro)

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be min. be two participants.

On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.

Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:

  1. Choose your desired start date
  2. Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
  3. Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).

Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.

The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.

Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.

The flights to/from Tirana are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 2-5 working days). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.

For four nights, a family-run beach hotel will be your base along the Albanian Riviera. Before and after this, you will spend one night at a mountain inn in Llogara National Park. The trip concludes at a centrally located hotel in Tirana. All rooms have private bathrooms.

Breakfast is included every day, and additionally, 2 packed lunches are included for lunch. It's easy to find lunch and dinner options in the cities during the trip.

Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.

Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.

Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.

This journey has difficulty level 2

Grade 2
Easy hiking on reasonably good trails. The day walks will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Your luggage will be transported and you only carry a light daypack. Requires comfortable footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.

Read more about our grading system here.

On this tour, you will receive the following documents:

Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.

One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.

Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

During your hiking trip along the Albanian Riviera, from Llogara to Tirana, you can expect varied temperatures in the spring and autumn months.

In the spring months, April and May, the temperature rises to a comfortable 15-20 degrees Celsius, rainfall is moderate, and you will experience mild wind conditions with breezes from the Ionian Sea.

In the autumn months, September and October, you can expect temperatures between 15-25 degrees Celsius, moderate wind conditions, and increasing rainfall compared to the spring months.

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