Valbona Valley National Park, Albania: Complete Guide
If you are looking for the most beautiful destination in the Albanian Alps, visit the Valbona Valley. Surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and breathtaking views, it is the perfect place for hiking and photography. During your visit, you can experience the incredible beauty and peaceful nature of the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), enjoy fresh mountain air, hike epic trails, and stay in a traditional guest house.
This ultimate guide to the Valbona Valley National Park includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect during your visit, and practical information.
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- Valbona Valley National Park, Albania: Complete Guide
- Where is Valbona Valley National Park?
- Valbona Valley National Park History
- How to Get to Valbona Valley
- Best Hikes in the Valbona Valley National Park
- Where to Stay in Valbona Valley
- How many Days do you Need in Valbona?
- Best Time to Visit Valbona Valley
- What to Pack
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Where is Valbona Valley National Park?
The national park is a protected area in northern Albania that has become famous for its stunning natural landscape. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts, or those looking for a peaceful and relaxing getaway.
Valbona, also known as Valbonë, is a picturesque small village in the Valbona Valley National Park, in the heart of the Albanian Alps.
Valbona Valley National Park History
The national park was established in January 1996. It covers 8,000 hectares and has 200 km of hiking trails through breathtaking mountains and lush valleys. The park borders Kosovo to the northeast, Montenegro to the northwest, and the neighboring Theth district to the west.
The highest peak in the Valbona Valley is Jezerca (Maja e Jezercës), which is 2,694 meters above sea level.
The valley is covered with lush alpine meadows, beech and pine forests, and plant species that are native only to the Balkans. It is home to a diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species such as brown bears, golden eagles, and lynxes.
Read our → Albania Itinerary
How to Get to Valbona Valley
There are two ways to get to Valbona. One is to travel from Shkoder via Komani Lake to Fierze, and then continue by minibus to Valbona. The other is that you have to go to Theth first and hike to Valbona from there. However, the hike from Theth is much steeper, and the view is no better.
You can easily book your minibus/ferry tickets through Berisha or Gjirafa Travel.
Don’t take unnecessary things to Valbona and leave your suitcase in Shkoder! We stored our luggage at the Hotel Kurtabeg for 2 euros a day and collected it when we returned from Theth.
Alternatively, book a 3-day trip from Tirana to the Albanian Alps, which includes visits to Lake Komani, Valbona, and Theth.
Embarking on a journey to Albania?
With our guide, you will not only save a lot of time, but you will also make sure that don’t miss out on any spots.
Best Hikes in the Valbona Valley National Park
There are 3 popular hikes you can do if you stay in Valbona. We only spent one night in the village and didn’t have time for the other hikes, so we only hiked to Theth.
- Valbona to Theth Hike: We started our hike at 6 AM to avoid hikers and the hot sun on the hiking trail. On the way, there are some viewpoints from where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and take some photos. This is a moderate hike, and the total hike from the Valbona trailhead to Theth is 17 km.
- Jezerca Lakes (also known as Buni i Jezercës): From the village, you have to start towards Kukaj, which is an easy section through meadows and forests. Then the hike becomes steeper, and the trail leads to a pass at an altitude of 2,150 meters above sea level. From here, a short descent takes you to the lake. The hike is 10 km long one way.
- Maja e Jezercës: This is a very long and difficult hike that can take up to 12-13 hours. There are only a few signs on the trails, so this hike is only recommended for very experienced and prepared hikers. It is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous hikes in Northern Albania.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Theth
Where to Stay in Valbona Valley
There are a few accommodation options in the village, so we recommend booking in advance. If you stay in the middle of the village, you will have to walk an extra 30 minutes on the paved road to the hiking starting point.
However, many hotels offer to pick you up in the morning for an additional fee. Or book the Hotel Margjeka, which is located at the start of the hike.
Best hotels in Valbona
- Mid-Range: Villas Jezerca
- Budget: Bujtina Albjoni or Guesthouse Drinos Valbone
Is camping allowed?
You can camp with your campervan at almost every restaurant and hotel. During our visit, many people were camping at the trailhead.
How many Days do you Need in Valbona?
We only spent one night in Valbona at Bujtina Arturi. But since we arrived in the early afternoon, we had enough time to wander around the village and rest at our accommodation before the Valbona Pass hike the next day.
However, if you want to do more hiking trails and get the most out of your visit, plan to spend at least 3 days there.
See also → How to Visit Blue Eye Theth
Best Time to Visit Valbona Valley
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Valbona is from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for hiking and exploring the nearby attractions. The hottest months are July and August.
The Valbona Valley is situated at an altitude of about 980 m above sea level. Therefore, it is much cooler here than in other parts of Albania, so pack some warmer clothes.
When is the Valbona Pass Open?
The Valbona Pass is only open from June to October. We did the Valbona-Theth hike in the first week of June, and the weather was fantastic, and there was no snow on the trail.
Weather conditions can change throughout the year, so check the weather forecast before visiting the Valbona Valley. Roads and hiking trails may be covered in snow, making Valbona inaccessible.
Although you can hike at your own risk in mid-May, we don’t recommend it as it is dangerous! Ask the locals or your accommodation when the trail opens.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! Hungariandreamers readers get a 5% discount on Heymondo.
What to Pack
- Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
- Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
- Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Hat and sunglasses
- Mosquito repellent
- Hiking shoes or boots & socks
- Camera gear
- Snacks
- Extra water
- Personal medication
- Hiking poles (If necessary)
TIP
There is no ATM in Valbona, so bring enough cash with you. The nearest ATM is in Bajram Curri.
We hope you found our guide to the Valbona Valley useful and will inspire you to visit the Albanian Alps. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
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