Himare – Livadh – Jal – Gjipe – Dhermi – Llogara

Instead of mountains and villages, today’s route takes us across cliffs and through Mediterranean macchia from one beach to another. The 600 meters of altitude difference make clear that this is by no means a flat walk, but it can also be skipped in favor of leisure time at the sea. Our round-up includes Spile, Livadh, Aquarium, Jal, Gjipe and Dhermi, each beach has its own attraction and beauty: Aquarium was nicknamed for its crystal clear waters, Jal is Albania’s answer to Ibiza and Gjipe, perched in a 70m high canyon, still refreshingly free of construction. After an extended break, the last stretch
leads us to the ruined monastery of warrior saint Theodore and the beach resort Dhermi. Time permitting, we can climb through little alleys to the top of the old town. From here, pretty villages, citrus groves and olive terraces line the road that takes us in switchbacks more than a thousand meters up the Llogara Pass. Inside the national park we stay for two nights at a family-run mountain hotel that serves hearty meals.