South Albania Hike Zagoria Valley

Upon your arrival at the airport, a private group transfer will be arranged accordingly to pick you up and drive you to the charming village of Peshtan in the South of Albania. Peshtan, nestled on the mountainside, is a village steeped in history, as it witnessed a significant battle during the Greco-Italian war and holds remnants of World War II. We will be staying in a welcoming guesthouse and your local hosts, Mira and her husband, who are also teachers in the village, will provide you with a fascinating tour of the first battle and the axes lost in WWII.

Distance: 10.4 km (6.20 mi)

Uphill cumulative: 715m (2345ft)

Downhill cumulative: 335m (1099ft)

Minimal elevation: 325m (1066ft)

Maximal Elevation 680m (2230ft)

Difficulty level: easy/moderate

Embarking on a shorter hike, you will start from Peshtan and walk 10 kilometers to Limara.
We will start the hike on a trail that ascends through open woodland to a pass that offers a panoramic view of the valley, which is flanked on both sides by mountains.
Along the trail, you will encounter the magnificent stone bridge over the Deshnica River, built by the renowned Albanian leader Ali Pashe Tepelena during the nineteenth century. As you hike, enjoy breathtaking views of the Deshnica River valley, with the majestic Strakavec peak towering above 2000 meters. After approximately 5 to 6 hours of hiking, including a final ascent, you will reach the welcoming village of Limara, where Nol, the village teacher, will host you in his guest house.
Limara offers a glimpse into the past, with its time-frozen atmosphere and picturesque surroundings. As you explore the village, you will be captivated by the three imposing peaks of Strakavec, Hormova, and Sheshi Malit, creating a stunning backdrop. The village is adorned with stone houses and an Orthodox Church. These buildings bear witness to the struggle for religious freedom during the early 20th century, marked by their transformation from places of worship to cattle farms under communist rule. Limara is also home to hundreds of sheep and goat that pasture these mountains and provide for the eco food in the village and the valley.

Distance: 15.8km (9.81 mi)

Uphill cumulative: 633m (2076ft)

Downhill cumulative: 445m (1459ft)

Minimal elevation: 450m (1475ft)

Maximal Elevation 865m (2835ft)

Difficulty level: easy/moderate

Your hike from Limara to Hoshteve will immerse you in the beauty of beech and oak forests, vibrant fields, and meadows adorned with colorful flowers. While progressing, you will leave Strakavec peak behind and witness the Dhembeli massive on your left, resembling a line of tooth-like peaks. Take a refreshing break by dipping your feet in a cool stream while enjoying a picnic. The trail will lead you through the nearly deserted village of Deshnice, often considered one of the most isolated villages in Europe. Your journey culminates in Hoshteve, a village renowned for its larger church and remarkable icons.
At Hoshteva you will take a transfer to the village of Sheper.

Distance: 11.8 km (7.33 mi)

Uphill cumulative: 575m (1886ft)

Downhill cumulative: 1215m (3986ft)

Minimal elevation: 230m (754ft)

Maximal Elevation 1460m (4790ft)

Difficulty level: easy/moderate

Sheper is the largest village along the trail, situated at an altitude of 800 meters, making it the highest village in the region. The village features its own church and has recently undergone renovation, preserving its ancient exterior. This day’s hike presents what some consider to be the best trail in the region, connecting two valleys and passing through Dhembel, reaching an altitude of 1468 meters. As you climb at 660 meters altitude, you will encounter vast meadows filled with vegetation that has nourished sheeps and goats for centuries. Take a moment to sit and imagine how even before the time of Christ, Illyrian shepherds grazed their lambs here, perhaps playing a tune on their flutes.
Reaching the pass, you will be treated to a panoramic view of Permet, Vjosa River and the Zagori Valley. After savoring the view and the tranquil atmosphere, begin your descent towards Permet, which spans a significant altitude drop of 1200 meters. The rocky trail along the descent offers a spectacular panorama. On the way, the village of Leuse presents an ideal stop and boasts another orthodox church adorned with frescoes.

Distance: 2.84 km (1.76 mi)

Uphill cumulative: 310m (1015ft)

Downhill cumulative: 310m (1015ft)

Minimal elevation: 464m (1522ft)

Maximal Elevation 800m (2625ft)

The view alone is worth the 45-minute journey to today’s trailhead. The blue waters of the Vjosa have carved deep into the rock beneath us, while the craggy Nemercka Range stands above the river. As you return from your hike, another unique natural wonder awaits you at the neighboring entrance to the Langarica Canyon.

The warm thermal pools of Benje are believed to have curative properties for various ailments. They provide a delightful treat after the past few days of hiking, allowing you to soak and relax in their sulfuric waters or venture through the river canyon.

These sulphur-rich waters offer the perfect way to unwind after days of trekking.

The iconic Kadiu Bridge, a stone arch from the Ottoman era, stretches across the turquoise waters of the Langarica River, framing the thermal baths and offering sweeping views of the Vjosa Valley and Nemerçka Mountains. Visitors can take a relaxing soak in the shallow pools near the bridge or opt to explore the scenic river canyon on foot and wander upstream to find quieter, terraced baths. As you walk beneath the bridge and into the canyon, where the towering cliffs grow closer together, you’ll discover even more sulphur spring pools scattered along the riverbanks.

In the southeast of the city of Gjirokaster, at the foot of Mount Bureto, lies the village of Labova e Kryqit, where you will be transferred at the end of today’s hike.

Distance: 16.2 km (10.06 mi)

Uphill cumulative: 1235m (4051ft)

Downhill cumulative: 1235m (4051ft)

Minimal elevation: 548m (1797ft)

Maximal Elevation 1763m (5784ft)

Difficulty: Moderate

Labova e kryqit is a village with two neighborhoods, the upper (PANORA) and the lower (KATORA). The village has a diverse history.

The Bureto Summit is located in the city of Libohova, from where you can enjoy views of Gjirokaster, Lazarat, the Drino Valley, and more. We see the city of a Thousand Stairs at our feet in all its glory. We admire the firing positions from the times of Enver Hoxha placed there in case it was necessary to fire missiles at Greece.

At the end of our hike, a visit to the thousand-year-old church of Labova, one of the unique monuments of the Byzantine world, will mark your afternoon. It will be accompanied by authentic guidance on the history and architectural and artistic values.

After this hike, you will be transferred to the city of Gjirokaster.

Gjirokaster – is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous as an Ottoman rocky town in Albania. You can see old houses that lean against raising and falling hills and enjoy their beautiful facades made by old wood and roofs covered by original stones. Gjirokastra is the place Ismail Kadare (internationally renowned Albanian writer) and Enver Hoxha (the infamous communist leader) were born. Since the city well preserves all history phases, sometimes can look controversial. The tourists describe the city view like “a view from a fairy-tail”. After the tour you will be transferred to Tirana for the night.