The Valbona River
Clear water between the peaks.
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The Valbona Valley is one of the finest sights of the Albanian Alps in the north of the country, with the clear Valbona River running between sharp rock peaks and dense forest. To the west rises Maja Jezercë, at 2,694 m the highest peak of the Dinaric Alps, and walkers and nature lovers come for its remoteness and quiet. Glaciers shaped the valley over millions of years. The Valbona glacier reached 9.5 km in the last ice age, and two very small glaciers still survive near Jezercë. It was declared a national park in 1996 and in 2022 merged with Theth into the Alps of Albania National Park. The river rises from several karst springs and is the largest in these mountains. You walk among meadows, guesthouses and old watermills, and the colours shift from summer green to autumn gold. The best known route crosses the Valbona Pass to the village of Theth and takes most of a day, depending on your fitness. Most visitors arrive by the Lake Koman ferry and then a bus from Fierzë, which the operator lists at 8 euros, and the journey is part of the pleasure. The valley is 52 km in a straight line from Shkodër, though the road is far longer. Snow can linger on the pass into late spring, so ask locally before crossing, and bring suitable boots and mountain clothing.
Clear water between the peaks.
The famous route to Theth.
The highest of the Dinaric Alps.
Albanian Alps, northern Albania
Most often by the Lake Koman ferry and then a bus from Fierzë, especially in the warm season.
Yes, over the Valbona Pass in about a day, but ask about snow first.