Himare – Pilur – Livadh – Himare

A narrow mountain road takes us up to the “Balcony of the Riviera.” The village of Pilur sits proudly on a high plateau, 700 meters above the sea. From the partisan memorial next to the village café, we follow the old caravan route downhill toward the coast.
The entrance to the gorge is scented with oregano and wild mint – though legend says the devil haunts this place, so best not to linger too long. Ancient pines give the upper section an almost alpine feel, before the vegetation gradually becomes more Mediterranean. Eventually, we reach an olive grove with tall ferns, where a few old communist bunkers still lie hidden.
A backcountry roads leads us into the old town of Himarë, perched on a rocky outcrop 250 meters above the bays. We stroll through medieval lanes lined with oleander, explore the remains of the Cyclopean walls, and take in sweeping views of the Riviera.
From there, we descend along the cobblestones of the old donkey path back toward the sea. The trail continues along the coast, through Mediterranean scrub to secluded coves with crystal-clear water – a beautiful way to round off today’s walk.

Depending on conditions, the guide may also choose an alternative route from Lukovë over the Lavan Pass to Piqeras, offering a different but equally scenic perspective on the Riviera.