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- Valbona Valley — A lush, glacier-carved valley with a fast, milky river, pine forests and wide alpine meadows. It feels unexpectedly green and sheltered compared with much of the range, and the cluster of budget guesthouses makes it the easiest place to rest and resupply on the Albanian side.
- Qafa e Valbonës (Valbona Pass) — The classic ridge crossing: a steep slog up, then one of the most dramatic panoramic drops into Theth and the surrounding peaks. The view across jagged summits and down into both valleys is the kind of panorama that makes you forget the blisters — my personal favorite on this section of the trail.
- Theth village & Grunas Waterfall — A tiny stone village that still lives by old mountain rhythms: watch for the defensive kulla tower, meet locals, and cool off under the
- Valbona Valley — A lush, glacier-carved valley with a fast, milky river, pine forests and wide alpine meadows. It feels unexpectedly green and sheltered compared with much of the range, and the cluster of budget guesthouses makes it the easiest place to rest and resupply on the Albanian side.
- Qafa e Valbonës (Valbona Pass) — The classic ridge crossing: a steep slog up, then one of the most dramatic panoramic drops into Theth and the surrounding peaks. The view across jagged summits and down into both valleys is the kind of panorama that makes you forget the blisters — my personal favorite on this section of the trail.
- Theth village & Grunas Waterfall — A tiny stone village that still lives by old mountain rhythms: watch for the defensive kulla tower, meet locals, and cool off under the Grunas waterfall into a glacier-fed pool. It’s a rare mix of genuine village culture and easy, scenic side-hikes.
- Jezerca massif / Buni i Jezercës cirque — Jagged, alpine terrain that looks more like the Alps than what people expect from the Balkans: steep walls, hanging glaciers (in season), and a huge rocky amphitheatre. If you’re into stark, high-mountain scenery and photography, this section is the showpiece.
- Shepherd katuns & wildlife encounters — Scattered summer pastures and simple katun huts where shepherds make fresh cheese and welcome travelers; keep your eyes up for chamois, foxes and golden eagles. Those close cultural encounters, quiet nights under sharp stars, and the chance to eat real mountain food are what set this trail apart from more touristy hikes.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.