8-day guided Albanian Coastal Trail

A coastal drive leads to Kudhës, where the walk begins among olive groves and village houses. Follow a gradually rising path through oleander and cypress towards a pass with views across the Ionian Sea and towards Corfu.

Continue to old Qeparo, a hilltop settlement of stone houses and cobbled lanes, and stop for a light lunch in the village. The main route then follows a shepherd’s path towards Borsh.

Depending on the weather, trail conditions and group, your guide may shorten the stage by descending directly to Qeparo Beach, allowing time for a swim. The return journey may include a stop at Porto Palermo and its peninsula castle.

Begin in the hillside village of Vuno, walking through narrow lanes, whitewashed houses and several Orthodox churches. The route then descends through olive groves and Mediterranean scrub towards the Ionian Sea.

Reach Jal and the nearby Aquarium cove, where clear water offers a possible swimming stop. Continue on a red-earth coastal path beside the sea to Livadh Beach, with another opportunity to rest or swim before walking back towards Himare.

Depending on conditions, your guide may replace part of the route with the walk from Vuno to Gjipe. This provides a shorter stage while retaining the combination of village paths and coastal scenery.

A mountain road climbs to Pilur, a village on a high plateau above the coast. From the village, follow an old path downhill through aromatic herbs, pine forest and the changing vegetation of the coastal foothills.

The route reaches old Himare, where stone lanes, medieval remains and views across the surrounding bays provide a cultural stop before the final descent. Continue on the cobbled path towards the sea and follow the coast through Mediterranean scrub and small coves.

Your guide may instead choose the route from Lukovë over Lavan Pass to Piqeras when weather or trail conditions make it more suitable.

Head into the gentle hills south of Himare. In Lukovë, walk through narrow village lanes before entering long stretches of olive groves and terraces carefully shaped by human hands. Many of these slopes were carved during Albania’s communist period, when prisoners were forced to reshape the landscape entirely by hand.

Descend with coastal views to the quiet southern end of Bunec Beach. Follow the shoreline past a relic concrete quay before climbing a little-used path back into the terraced hills, with turquoise water below.

The trail continues through herbs and sea breezes towards the long beach at Borsh. There is time for a swim or a drink before the transfer back to Himare.

Leave Himare and drive to Llogara Pass (1,043 m) for the longest walk of the journey. The route climbs towards the radio towers and follows the rocky Thanasi Ridge, with views across the Karaburun Peninsula and the Ionian and Adriatic coasts.

Your guide may include the ascent of Mount Gjipali (1,446 m) when weather and group conditions allow. The summit is omitted in poor weather. Descend through open pasture and the Deep Pass before entering the forest of Llogara National Park.

The walk ends at the mountain hotel. Your guide may exchange this stage with the following day when conditions favour a different sequence.

A short transfer leads to Llogara Pass (1,043 m). From here, climb through pine forest on a partly steep path towards viewpoints above the Ionian coast.

The main objective is Dhjopuri Saddle at around 1,600 m, beneath Mount Qorre (2,018 m). The saddle provides a suitable place for a picnic and views across Llogara Pass, the Karaburun Peninsula and the village of Dukat.

Depending on the group, weather and available time, your guide may offer the longer ascent of Mount Qorre. Otherwise, return by the same route to the pass. The group then transfers to Tirana for the final night.

Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a final walk through central Tirana or a museum visit. The journey ends with the planned transfer to Tirana Airport or the international bus station.