Stage 1

You start in Theth and climb toward the Valbonë Pass - the classic opening day on the Peaks of the Balkans. Plan for about 8 hours on rough mountain paths with steady ascent before the long descent into Valbonë.

The pass views are the reward, but this is a proper introduction to Albanian trail conditions: rocky footing, open exposure, and few shortcuts. Valbonë has guesthouses and a river setting that makes a good first night.