Valbona Valley (Valbonë) is located in northern Albania, right near the border with Montenegro and only 40 km from Kosovo. Most likely, if you have seen stunning photos of mountainous Albania, they were taken in Valbona or on the way there. And yes, it is amazing here at any time of year.
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What is Valbona and Why People Go There
Valbona is one of the most impressive regions in Albania, often referred to as the Albanian Alps. It hides turquoise rivers, dense coniferous forests, sharp peaks, and traditional stone villages where time seems to have stood still. Valbona is part of the Valbona Valley National Park, one of the most picturesque in the country.
People come here for:
- untouched nature;
- famous treks (especially the Valbona — Theth route);
- fantastic scenery in any season;
- mountain air and tranquility;
- the opportunity to see the traditional way of life in northern Albania.
We visited Theth in the summer and Valbona in the autumn.
How we visited Theth in summer and finally fell in love with the Albanian Alps
It’s hard for me to compare them. The right thing to do is to visit both villages. If you have to choose, I recommend Theth. In Theth, the mountain routes feel more complete—you are either heading to a waterfall or the “Blue Eye.” In Valbona, most routes simply end at a viewpoint. It feels like there is no specific “end goal,” and the purpose of the hike feels a bit blurred.
How to Get to Valbona
1. Ferry
The most popular route, and also the coolest. It is truly a crime to visit Albania and not experience this trek:
- Bus Tirana → Komani or Shkoder → Komani (early morning, as ferries depart before 9 AM). During the tourist season, there are plenty of minibuses (furgons) running this route; finding one won’t be a problem.
- Ferry Komani → Fierza (a picturesque three-hour journey across Lake Koman). Lake Koman is fantastic—referred to as the “Albanian Avatar” or “Albanian Fjords.” You can continue the list of comparisons endlessly, but it’s better to see it once.
Coordinates for the boat terminal in Koman
Coordinates for the boat terminal in Fierza - Minivan Fierza → Valbona. It’s about another hour’s drive. In season, finding a minibus is easy.
There are several companies providing ferry services:
https://komaniferry.com/kayak-reservation/
https://www.alpin.al/contact.php
The price will be around €10-20 per person. There are different packages; you can travel with a car, or choose round-trip or one-way tickets.
This combined journey is an adventure in itself. Afterward, take a day to rest and walk around Valbona, then set aside a full day for the crossing from Valbona to Theth. It’s about a 10 km hike, but half of it is uphill, so travel time is 6–8 hours.
4. Spend a few days in Theth and take a minibus back to Shkoder or Tirana. In high season, they run regularly.
Alternatively, you can buy a ready-made tour starting in Shkoder or Tirana, which includes minibus and ferry tickets, as well as a night in a guesthouse. These tours are sold everywhere in summer; every hotel and guesthouse in Shkoder sells such excursions.
2. By Car
You can easily reach Valbona in your own or a rented car. There is a good asphalt road the entire way, suitable for any vehicle. We always rent via localrent.
The service was founded by Russian developers and works in many countries. It’s convenient because you can pay the booking fee with any bank card, and pay the rest in cash on-site.
The route shown in the first image is slightly faster. Just before reaching Kukës, there is a toll point located here. The toll is 660 Lek. In Albania, there is usually only one toll point on highways, so you can take an exit just before it to save money.
The route from the second screenshot is incredibly beautiful. It passes through a hydroelectric power station, and there are constant viewpoints along the way with dizzying views of the river and reservoir. I’ll say it again—in Albania, the road is not just a way to get from point A to point B; it’s part of the adventure, with incredible views and often great restaurants. However, there aren’t many restaurants or gas stations on this specific section, so take care of fuel in advance. Both roads are paved and in good condition. I’d say they are accessible even for an inexperienced driver, as long as you don’t speed, due to many sharp turns and bends.
Hydroelectric station — link to the map point
Where to Stay
Valbona has a huge choice of accommodation. There are old stone houses converted into hotels or local guesthouses, small wooden eco-cabins, but we chose a spa hotel. This is the only hotel in Valbona with an indoor pool. Remember, our trip was in autumn, and in autumn the sun sets at 4 PM, and it gets dark and cold quickly. After an active day of mountain walks, it’s great to spend the evening in the pool and sauna.
If your trip is planned for the cold season, it’s better not to choose small cabins as they can get very cold.
Best Routes and Treks in Valbona
1. Valbona — Theth Trail
The most famous hiking route in the Albanian Alps. One of the most beautiful places in Albania, and the main reason people come here.
- Distance: ~10–13 km
- Pass elevation: ~1800 m
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 6–8 hours
The route passes through forests and rocks, offering incredible panoramas.
2. Valbona Waterfall Trail
The waterfall is located on the route to Theth, just a couple of kilometers from Valbona. However, there isn’t much water here; in summer and autumn, the waterfall might be completely dry.
- An easy trek to a beautiful waterfall location.
- Suitable for all fitness levels.
3. Ancient Mill
The mill is located right on the road, making it the most accessible location. It is a house where grain used to be ground. It is currently abandoned but looks very authentic.
- Very easy access.
- Great views with minimal effort.
Useful Tips
- Trekking boots are a good idea, but not strictly necessary. We walked everywhere in regular sneakers and were comfortable. If trekking in late autumn or winter, boots are a must.
- Bring cash: there are few ATMs, although cards are accepted almost everywhere. Theth and Valbona are very tourist-friendly.
- In summer it gets dark at 6 PM, in winter at 3–4 PM. It’s best to start any trek in the morning.
- In peak season, book accommodation in advance. In the off-season, cheap hotels can be very cold.
- Internet in the mountains can be weak—download offline maps (Maps.me or Komoot), though the trails are generally well-marked.
Best Time to Visit
- June–September — ideal period for trekking. Summer is very hot (feels like 40°C), but you can cool off in mountain rivers where the water doesn’t get above 10°C.
- April–May — beautiful, but some routes may still be snow-covered.
- October — “Golden Autumn,” insanely beautiful.
- Winter — lots of snow, some roads and trails become inaccessible. Near Valbona, there are signs that tire chains are required from November 15. In 2025, snow fell in October—it melted quickly, but stayed for a few days.
Valbona is a place you visit for real mountains, pure nature, and a sense of solitude. Everything is different here: the people are hospitable, the air is fresh, and nature feels endless. Even the road here is a real adventure that will take your breath away with its pristine views.
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