A hiker sitting above the green Valbona valley, limestone peaks and clouds beyond

The Valbona valley, Albania

Valbona to Theth, Accursed Mountains, Albania

· updated · 2 min read
Distance
12.2 km
Time
around 6 h
Ascent
+961 m
Descent
−965 m
High point
1,795 m
Difficulty
Moderate

The route

Valbona to Theth, on the map

Two ways to walk it, both from my own GPX tracks. Pick one: the map, the profile and the numbers follow.

Distance12.2km
Timearound 6 h
Ascent+961m
Descent−965m
High point1,795m
DifficultyModerate

Walking time at your paceAn estimate without breaks, worked out from the distance and the climb.

  • Relaxed8 h 20 min
  • Average6 h 40 min
  • Fast5 h 20 min

Elevation

Elevation profile of Valbona to Theth, Accursed Mountains, AlbaniaStarts at 1,011 m, climbs 961 m in total to a high point of 1,886 m after 7.3 km, and finishes at 1,008 m; 11.5 km in all.1,000 m1,500 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 kmFusha e Gjes’Qafa e Valbones (Valbona Pass) · 1,886 mTheth

How steep

  • 3.6 kmUnder 8%
  • 2.6 km8 to 15%
  • 2.8 km15 to 25%
  • 2.5 kmOver 25%

In two parts

Download the GPXPrint for the trailDirections to the start

Embed this map

Paste this into your page or post (in WordPress: a Custom HTML block). The map stays up to date with the guide, and the link under it leads your readers to the full guide.

What to pack10 things for this hike

Every hike

The light for photographs

Today at Qafa e Valbones (Valbona Pass): sunrise 06:12, sunset 16:35.

Today at Qafa e Valbones (Valbona Pass): sunrise 06:12, sunset 16:35.

At Qafa e Valbones (Valbona Pass), 1,886 m, in local time (Europe/Tirane), with an open horizon: the mountains around can hide the sun sooner.

In short

This moderate hike in Albania’s Accursed Mountains runs from Valbona to Theth, covering 12.16 km in around 6 hours. It reaches Qafa e Valbones at around 1,795 m; the post recommends about one litre of water and mentions two to three water sources along the way.

Valbona to Theth (Valbona Theth) is one of the most beautiful and popular hikes in the Accursed mountains (Prokletije). During this hike, you will enjoy the view of the Valbona Valley and then Theth Valley. If you plan to take this hike, you will meet a lot of outdoor enthusiasts from all around the world.

A hiker overlooks the green Valbona Valley and rugged peaks beneath a cloudy sky

How to get to Valbona Valley National Park

Valbona Valley is 22 km from the city called Bajram Curri. Reaching Bajram Curri from Tirana takes around four hours. The bus station in Tirana is in front of Asllan Rusi Sports Center. 

Another way to reach Bajram Curri is from Prishtina, Kosovo. First, you go from Prishtina Main Bus Station to Gjakova Bus station and then from Gjakova take the bus to Bajram Curri.

Where to sleep and eat

In Valbona Valley there are a lot of Guesthouses, which are cheap, traditional, cozy and they serve you very delicious food. During the summer, the Guesthouses are usually full of tourists, so make sure to book them early. 

About the Valbona to Theth hike

A hiker rests among pine trees above Valbonë Valley, with snow streaks on the rugged peaks under a blue sky

This hike is a moderate one, and the path is open from the middle of May until the middle of November.  During the winter a part of this trail is closed and very dangerous.

The starting point is from Fusha e Gjes’ (around 1000 m/alt) in Valbona Valley.  From Fusha e Gjes’ you go through a small village called Rrogam then the path until Te Simoni – a small cafe (there is a spring – water source). Then you follow the path, take the left to go to Theth. If you follow the right path, you reach the highest peak of the Accursed mountains – Maja Jezerce 2694 m/alt.

The highest peak of this trail is Qafa e Valbones (Valbona pass) and the altitude is around 1’795 m/alt. You need around one liter of water for this hike. You have two to three water sources during the path.

The next peak called Valbona peak is around 20 min from there, view from there is majestic.

The distance of Valbona to Theth hike is 12.16 km, and elevation gain is around 961 m. You can finish this trail for around 6 hours.

Theth is one of the most popular and beautiful destinations of the Albanian Alps. Read more: Theth and Nderlysa

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Questions and comments

1 comment

  1. Malcom Isherwood

    Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.

    Reply

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