hardTheth to Valbona · hikeTheth-Valbona Pass
Qafa e Valbonës
15 km one way↑ 1125 m6–9 h
One of the Balkans' classic high passes, linking two dramatic valleys through beech forest and wild alpine meadow.
Best: June to September
Kukës · 2 days · private
€19317,325 L per person · minimum 4 seats (€77069,300 L)
−10% cash · €174 per person
Photo: Arton Krasniqi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why go
Valbona sits opposite Theth across a walking pass of six to eight hours. We drive round, same mountains, no forced hike. Two days from Tirana.
Valbona is a glacial valley on the far side of the Theth pass. The walking route between the two villages is six to eight hours; we drive the long way round so you arrive by road.
The valley floor is pasture and stone houses under peaks that hold snow into summer. It is the quieter twin of Theth, same range, fewer day-trippers.
On the ground
In pictures
The Valbona river bed running through the valley
The Accursed Mountains above Valbona
Snow on the peaks at the head of the valley
The Theth valley on the far side of the pass
Swipe for more. Photographs of the places on this route, under Creative Commons licences. Full credits.
Itinerary
Day 107:00
Long drive via Kukës into the valley. Arrive afternoon.
Day 1evening
Village, river, peaks. Overnight, guests book their own bed.
Day 2
Morning in the valley. Road home to Tirana.
The price
Your price
4 people · 1 car
€77069,300 L
The whole party, €193 · 17,325 L each. That is the card price.
−10% cash · €693if you pay the driver in cash on the day
How many of you?
Where do we start?
Door to door from your hotel or address in Tirana, included
How it adds up
Or pay the whole thing by card now. Free to cancel up to 24 hours before.
Included
Not included
Best months: June to September
On foot
Your driver waits while you walk. Distance, climb and season for each, from public sources.
hardTheth to Valbona · hikeQafa e Valbonës
15 km one way↑ 1125 m6–9 h
One of the Balkans' classic high passes, linking two dramatic valleys through beech forest and wild alpine meadow.
Best: June to September
easyValbona · hikeVale e Valbonës deri Rragam
8 km one way↑ 300 m3–4 h
A gentle descent through one of Albania's most pristine mountain valleys, ending at the last settlement before the high peaks.
Best: May to October
easyValbona · waterfallUjëvara e Rrogamit
2 km one way↑ 190 m1–1.5 h
A short alpine walk through beech forest to a cascading waterfall with a pool to cool off in, ideal for a half-day from Rragam.
Best: May to October
easyKoman to Fierzë · boatLiqeni i Komanit - Trajekt
2.5 h
One of Europe's most scenic ferry rides: a journey of a couple of hours through a dramatic limestone canyon that has become Albania's best-known boat trip despite its original purpose as daily local transport.
Best: mid-April to early November
easyValbona · walkKukaj
3 km one way↑ 150 m2–3 h
A gentle ascent to a traditional alpine settlement with wide valley views, without the exertion of the major passes.
Best: June to October
Still deciding?
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Questions
Up to eight. One car seats four, so a party of five to eight goes out in both cars. The price per person is the same either way, group size never changes what each seat costs.
Pay the driver in cash on the day and save 10% on the listed price. Or pay the whole thing by card online, or leave a card deposit to hold the car and settle the rest on the day. Free to cancel up to 24 hours before.
No. Every stop on this route is reached by vehicle. If you want to walk, the driver waits, but nothing requires it.
No. Guests arrange their own lodging, we can suggest places to stay.
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