+44 (0) 1463 417707

Albania

Albania

Albania - North to South

Albania - North to South

Albania

Albania - North to South

Albania - North to South

Albania

Itinerary:
Albania - North to South Cycling Holiday

Mountains and Beaches


Day 1: Tirana

redspokes North to South Albania cycle tour begins in Tirana. You will be met on arrival and transferred to our joining hotel. Tirana's small centre is easy to navigate. There are free walking tours if you would like to be guided around.  Sites of interest include Skanderbeg Square's 1789 Et'hem Bey Mosque, the 1830 Sahat-Kulla (Clock Tower), the puppet theatre, once home to King Zog's puppet parliament and the Peace Bell made from old cartridge shells, remembering Tirana's tempestuous history. There are many restaurants and bars in "The Block" (Blloku); the area where communist leaders once lived under strict protection. This evening we will have a group meeting and tour briefing.

Accommodation: Hotel (D)


Day 2: Tirana - Dardhë

This morning there is an early start with a vehicle transfer to Komani Lake. We will board a ferry here for a dramatic trip through the jade coloured waters along a narrow twisting route with sheer cliff and high waterfalls around us. In places there are gentle slopes where livestock are reared by communities who live in relative isolation, with boats as their only means of travel. We can keep our eyes peeled for herons and maybe a golden eagle or two. We disembark at Fierza and begin cycling with an uphill climb as we head away from the lake on to the high plateau. Our route follows an ancient Roman trade route, the Via Publica. We pass through beautiful valley, woodland and lakes riding towards Dardhë on a steep ascent with hairpin bends aplenty. As we reach Dardhë we see fortified houses stretching up from the lakeside all the way to the hilltop.

Cycling Distance: 40km (25 miles)
Total Climb: 1,225m (4,019ft)
Total Descent: 575m (1,886ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)


Day 3: Dardhë - Kukesi

We cycle today with high mountain peaks to one side of us and below us to the right Fierze Lake which we crossed yesterday. The route, traverses beautiful countryside dotted with traditional stone houses. We continue riding along Fierza Lake until we reach a dam, which is part of a huge hydroelectric system constructed in the 1970s. The original Kukësi town site was submerged when the Liqeni i Fierzë Reservoir Lake was created. In dry summers the water level drops low enough for the rooftops of the old town to be visible, drawing to locals to sit at the lakeside looking at their former homes. Kukesi welcomed thousands of Kosovo-Albanian refugees during the Kosovo conflict and was nominated for a Nobel Peace prize in recognition of this.

Cycling Distance: 81km (50 miles)
Total Climb: 1,560m (5,118ft)
Total Descent: 2,030m (6,660ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)


Day 4: Kukesi to Peshkopi

Our cycle tour continues today alongside the Valbona River through gorges and past cascading waterfalls. We begin the day cycling through woodland for about 20km. Our surroundings change with dramatic views for the next 20km, of the river far beneath us and mountain streams tumbling downhill. Fortified houses cling to the hillside on one side of the riverbank and dramatic white cliff tops loom above on the far side. We may catch sight of birds of prey. As we approach Peshkopi the countryside becomes more populated. This is apple farm territory and we ride past many orchards and waterfalls. Peshkopi has an interesting museum, an old quarter with a few surviving Ottoman houses and lovely mountain views. Just a short distance from the town centre are Llixhat (thermal springs) a popular destination for a therapeutic soak in the sulphurous spring waters.

Cycling Distance: 72km (45 miles)

Total Climb: 2,050m (6,726ft)
Total Descent: 1,710m (5,610ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)


Day 5: Peshkopi to Ohrid

We cycle a short distance of a few km this morning before we cross the border into Macedonia and on to the beautiful UNESCO town of Ohrid. The road going from Peshkopi to Ohrid is very scenic and has little traffic consequently it is a pleasant cycle. It is said that Ohrid once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year. Ohrid was formerly known as Lichnidos (City of Light)

Cycling Distance: 91km (56 miles)
Total Climb: 925m (3,035ft)
Total Descent: 850m (2,789ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)


Day 6: Ohrid - Rest Day

You have time today to discover Ohrid: Macedonia's most popular tourist destination and a UNESCO world heritage site that combines history with outstanding natural beauty. Walk around the old town, visit Sveta Sophia Cathedral: Ohrid’s grandest church. Located in the old town is Samuil’s fortress; a medieval castle believed to rest on the site of a 4th Century BC fort. It overlooks the 300m deep, three million year old lake bordered and shared by Macedonia and Albania. Tonight, you can stop off in a bar or dine in a restaurant with lakeside views. 

Accommodation: Hotel (B,D)


Day 7: Ohrid to Korçë

This morning we cycle out of Ohrid following the south-eastern side of the lake back into Albania. Tectonic Lake Ohrid is one of the deepest and oldest lakes in Europe. After about 12 km we begin a climb for a few km, once we've cycled over the hilltop we ride back down to the lakeside. We will cross the border back into Albania at Tushemisht. From here we follow wide, open road cutting a path through farmland cycling southwest to Korçë. We will pass abandoned gun bunkers built under the communist regime, which are a regular feature of the Albanian countryside. The route gently undulates for 20 km before we ride a final flat stretch into Korçë. Near to the Greek border Korçë is paved with cobblestone streets and many single-story villas. Korçë has Illyrian and Ottoman origins and is Albania's cultural capital. The town has a traditional bazaar and several museums and galleries including a museum of medieval art.

Cycling Distance: 76.4km (47 miles)
Total Climb: 904m (2,965ft)
Total Descent: 714m (2,342ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)


Day 8: Korçë to Farma Sotira

We cycle into the mountains today. The landscape changes from an agricultural collage of fields into rocky mountainside scattered with forget me nots and other wildflowers and the odd shepherd's hut here and there. We ride up into the Gramoz Mountains, with a view of snow-capped peaks in the distance, cycling over the Bramash pass. We then head down into the valley beyond to reach the remote and beautiful Farma Sotira. Located on the edge of Tomorre Mountain National Park, our stop for the night is an organic farm hotel where we will sample the produce at dinner this evening.

Cycling Distance: 72.5km (48 miles)
Total Climb: 1,273m (4,176ft)
Total Descent: 1,147m (3,763ft)
Accommodation: Cabins (B,L,D) 


Day 9: Sotirë to Benje

The day begins with an uphill cycle away from Farma Sotira through dramatic mountain scenery onto the verdant plateau. We then descend on a steep ravine road to the River Vjosa; the pathway, which was originally created by waterfalls, bends and curves dramatically down into wide open valley where animals graze. The Vjosa is one of Europe's last existing wild rivers. Along its entire course, it is free flowing and in some areas the riverbed expands over more than 2 km. Sadly, the river is under threat from hydropower development although protest groups are campaigning for the area to be given national park status.

We continue cycling uphill on a tiny road cut into the mountainside up to Përmet perched on the cliff high above the river. The town is famed for its cuisine, especially sweets, 'gliko' (preserves), its wine and strong raki. Named the "city of roses" it is said to be the greenest and the cleanest town in Albania. Përmet is also famous for folk music. We cycle on a little further to nearby Benje where there are popular thermal springs - a perfect antidote on our tour for tired cyclists' legs.

Cycling Distance: 59km (37 miles)

Total Climb: 675m (2,215ft)
Total Descent: 1,425 (4,675ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D) 


Day 10: Benje to Gjirokaster

Today we continue cycling along Kelcyra valley through a scenery of peaks and gorges, cutting westward through a gap in the mountains. We reach a wide plain; high above us sits the majestic Gjirokaster (known as the Stone City because of the many roofs covered with flat stones).  Gjirokaster is a beautifully preserved Ottoman town with steep cobbled streets; it was built by wealthy landowners. The town has UNESCO world heritage status. Gjirokaster Castle, at the heart of the town, dates all the way back to the 4th century. The fortress overlooks the plateau, and route along the river valley with an imposing presence. The town is the birthplace of Albania's former communist head of state: Enver Hoxha.

Cycling Distance: 71.2km (38 miles)
Total Climb: 409m (1,341ft)
Total Descent: 454m (1,489ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D) 


Day 11: Gjirokaster to Sarande

We head west today cycling up over a 700m pass in the mountains followed by a twisting descent down onto the coastal plain. We ride past villages, farms and roadside fruit vendors. There are more concrete bunkers dotted in the hillsides. Sarande is described as the gateway to southern Albania, nestled between the mountains and the Ionian coast. The city is close to the ancient remains of Butrint, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Butrint is one of the county's most important archaeological sites, tracing its origins back to the Greeks and the Romans. We will have a guided tour of the site.

We can relax this evening and enjoy panoramic Mediterranean views in this lovely coastal resort.

Cycling Distance: 96.5km (60 miles)
Total Climb: 1,035m (3,396ft)
Total Descent: 1,315m (4,314ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L) 


Day 12: Sarande to Himarë

Our tour continues today as we follow the coastal route northward towards the resort of Himarë. The day begins with a steep climb, for the rest of the day we continue cycling a series of climbs and descents with mountains and of stunning sea views. Himarë is a popular beach side town stretching along white sanded shore line. Olive and citrus trees grow on terraced hills that reach down to the sea.

Cycling Distance: 52km (32 miles)
Total Climb: 1,075m (3,527ft)
Total Descent: 1,080m (3,543ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D) 


Day 13: Himarë to Orikum to Tirana

Our final day of cycling on the Albania North to South tour takes us to Orikum. We climb up to the famous Llogara Pass (Qafa e Llogarasë), a spectacular winding road, rising up to 1,043m with spectacular views of the Albanian Riviera and pine forested hillsides. This is the highest point on the main coastal road between Vlore and Sarande. Down over the pass we cycle one hairpin bend after another in the Dukatit Valley. Towards the end of today's ride we re-join coastal road with views of gravel beaches and lovely clear blue seas. Late this afternoon we will transfer to Tirana and this evening we will celebrate the end of our Albanian cycling tour with a farewell meal.

Cycling Distance: 55.4km (34 miles)
Total Climb: 1,603m (5,259ft)
Total Descent: 1,574m (5,164ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)


Day 14

The tour ends today and you will be transferred to Tirana Airport for your journey home.

If you need assistance or wish to discuss the tour, please feel free to call us on +44 (0) 1463 417707.

Alternatively, you can email us on office@redspokes.co.uk for more information on this adventure holiday.