Theth- Welcome to Albanian Alps

Watch slow village life unfold, wander the roads with the hillside cows, and enjoy some of the most incredible hikes. Find out all you need to know about visiting Theth, Albania!

Welcome to Theth—a quaint mountain village and one of the best places to visit in all of Albania! The landscape here rivals one you’d find in the Swiss Alps; the dramatic peaks of the Accursed Mountains look over the town and green fields filled with cows and goats. 

Tip:

The people in the village are lovely and will be very accommodating to help you with anything. You might not be able to speak Albanian, but Google Translate will help you along the way (not a problem, as Albania has the fastest internet in Europe!).

Theth Village Life

Local life is very traditional in Theth, and you’ll still see the farmers herding sheep and cows along the remote roads.
Within the village itself, you’ll find one long street that hugs the riverside with sweet houses, guesthouses, and campsites (with good facilities). There’s also a beautiful church close to the edge of town that has some of the best views we’ve ever seen! 

The road to Theth, Albania

These days, it’s really easy to access Theth, as the road is newly paved (the road reopened in 2022). Until recently, there was no paved road to Theth, and you could only reach the village by 4×4.
Now you can arrive with Hooti Campervan, as although the road is narrow, it’s perfectly safe and smooth. Along the way, you’ll have incredible viewpoints, particularly on the last hour of the trip from Shkoder.

Valbonë Pass Hike

Aside from the charming village, the area is famous for the Valbonë Pass hike, a long walk through the mountains, and one of the most rewarding and beautiful parts of any Albania itinerary. The hike moves up through the mountains, passing through forests, grasslands, bubbling streams, and meadows full of flowers and boulders.

As you go, you’ll hear barely any sounds, just the sounds of nature; birds, crickets, and colorful butterflies. We even had a group of friendly dogs following us!

To get to Valbonë, it is about 17 km of walking and takes 6-8 hours (depending on how fast you are/your fitness level). We hiked only halfway (to the top of the peak, rather than on to Valbonë), which was about 4 hours to the top and the same backdown.

How to return from Valbonë (full hike)

If you’re planning on doing the full hike from Valbonë, pack a daypack with a change of clothes and leave the rest at your accommodation. This is because we recommend staying the night in Valbonë and making the journey back to Theth the next day. 


Credits: https://www.saltinourhair.com/albania/theth/