Northern Albania Alps: Theth, Valbona and Koman

ℹ️ Season: the Theth–Valbona trail is generally walkable from about mid-June to early October (Peaks of the Balkans). The Koman ferry season starts around mid-April and cars need booking ahead (komanilakeferry.com). Most people leave the car in Shkodër and use the local transfers, because the route is one-way.

Day 1 · Tirana to Shkodër

Drive north to Shkodër. Rozafa castle and the lake promenade in the evening.

🚗 Tirana → Shkodër: 98 km, ~1 h 58 min

📍 Guides, food and stays: Shkodër

Day 2 · Up to Theth

The mountain road to Theth. Afternoon walk to the church and the lock-in tower, night in a guesthouse.

🚗 Shkodër → Theth: 73 km, ~2 h 13 min

🎟️ Mountain guide & tours (Thethi Guide) · Lake Koman ferry (Berisha Ferry (Komani Lake Ferry))

📍 Guides, food and stays: Theth & Valbona

Day 3 · Hike Theth to Valbona

The classic crossing over the Valbona Pass (1,759 m): about 13.9 km, 1,068 m of ascent and around 7 hours on the official stage; guesthouse to guesthouse is often 17–18 km and 6–9 hours. Start early and carry water.

📍 Guides, food and stays: Theth & Valbona

Day 4 · Valbona to the Koman ferry

Transfer to Fierzë and take the Lake Koman ferry, roughly 2 hours 30 minutes through the gorge. Book on the official site.

🚗 Valbona → Fierzë: 43 km, ~1 h 22 min

🎟️ Lake Koman ferry & tours (Berisha Ferry (Komani Lake Ferry))

📍 Guides, food and stays: Lake Koman

Day 5 · Koman back to Shkodër and Tirana

Overnight near Koman or in Shkodër, then drive back to Tirana or straight to TIA.

🚗 Koman → Shkodër: 57 km, ~2 h 1 min · Shkodër → TIA: 86 km, ~1 h 46 min

📍 Guides, food and stays: Shkodër · Lake Koman

Drive times come from OSRM road routing and exclude stops, traffic and border queues. Opening times and ferry schedules change, so confirm with the operators before you go. Getting there: flights →