From Tirana, it was an easy 2-hour bus journey to Shkodër - one of three starting points to the Peaks of the Balkans (POB). After a late lunch, we had the rest of the afternoon to sightsee Shkodër, ahead of our 10-day POB hike. Rozafa Castle sits on a triangular hilltop that overlooks the confluence …
For my first visit to Tirana Albania, I had budgeted 2 full days to sightsee attractions around the compact city which can be explored easily on foot. But, things do not always go as planned. I arrived 12 hours late and lost a full day of immersing myself in the sights and smells of this …
Travel broadens perspective through discovering new places, exploring different cultures/history, and interacting with locals to experience their way of life. Once in a while, an attraction spot leaves me disturbed and unsettled for the next few days. This is one of them. Other destinations with this disquieting effect on me include Cambodia's Tuol Sleng Genocide …
Rained Out The hike was cancelled due to bad weather.Yesterday Sunny (left) fvnldfv vs fvnldfv Rain/Thunderstorm (right) The night before at dinner, we were given the choice of hiking to Theth or driving directly to Shkodër. Two thirds of the group had requested for vehicular transport while 10 die-hards stuck with the plan - hike …
8 SEPTEMBER 2024 This detour (optional) to Gjeravica Peak is an epic hike and rated as the most strenuous of our 10-day itinerary. The hike features two main climbs for the day. The first is right at the start and the second is at the base of Gjeravica. In between are lush meadows and scenic rolling …
Resigned to another day of over 1000m ascent to the high-altitude remote village of Dobërdol (1,744m), the consolation is that once you gain elevation, you keep it. That said, it's still a challenging hike with lots of ups and downs through enchanting old growth forests interspersed with exceptional views. Duration | 6 hoursDistance | 15.6kmElevation …
uneventful vs spectacularThere are two possible routes from Valbona to Cerem: the ‘low/official’ (valley) route vs the ‘high/optional’ route via Persllopi Pass, that promises rare views of the Accursed Mountains bare stone harsh peaks. This alternate trail is one of the steepest of the Peaks of the Balkans and involves crossing from Albania to Montenegro …
Continue reading POB Day 3 : Valbona – Cerem via Persllopi Pass
Billed as the most popular day hike within Albania, the route moves up through the mountains, passing through forests, grasslands, bubbling streams, and meadows full of flowers and boulders. Apart from the incredibly rewarding views, you also get to see a different side of Albania. HIKE DETAILSDuration | 7 hoursDistance | 16.3kmElevation 🡩 …
Continue reading POB Day 2 : Theth – Valbona via Valbona Pass
Peaks of the Balkans (POB) The 192km POB trail loops through the spectacular borderlands of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro in the Prokletije ("Accursed") Mountain Range. Connecting characterful mountain villages by way of shepherd’s paths and unpaved forest roads, this circular hiking trail traverses breathtaking mountain passes, pine forests, high alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and green …
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