Valbona-Theth hiking trail

At roughly 1,800m, the Valbona Pass (Qafa e Valbonës) is the peak of the hike and offers a 360-degree view of both the Valbona and Theth valleys. You can stand with one foot metaphorically in each valley, seeing the contrasting landscapes of the two national parks simultaneously

Most people hike Valbona to Theth. Why? Because the travel from Shkodër to Valbona (van-ferry-van) is long and exhausting so getting it over with first is smarter. Also, Theth has more rewarding and shorter day hikes (Blue Eye, Grunas waterfall) to do after you finish

Some people might portray this as a "casual stroll" on social media but you should expect a 6-to-8-hour strenuous hike with over 1,000m of elevation gain. If you aren't physically active and don't have proper hiking shoes, do not attempt this hike

There are two rustic wooden bars: Simoni Café (on the Theth side) and Café Emanuel (near the pass) where you can buy a cold beer or mountain tea. Drinking a beverage at 1,500m while staring at a vertical rock face will be one of the highlights

The pass is usually blocked by snow until late May and closes by late October. Don't attempt it in early May unless you have crampons and ice axe experience. People have died here slipping on "hidden" ice patches

In Valbona, the trail ends at a dry riverbed that leads to a long, boring asphalt road. Call your guesthouse or ask a local driver at the "Fusha e Gjes" hotel for a lift to skip the final 4km of road walking