Albania bike tour

Itinerary for our Albanian bike tour self-guided or guided

Day 1: Individual arrival in Tirana

Individual arrival in Tirana. Meet your guide and the group at the hotel at 18:00 for the Tour Briefing. After the tour briefing we will join the Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Tiranë-Pogradec – 29 km / 18 miles, elevation gain 70 m / 246 ft

Morning transfer (69 mi./110 km/1.5–2 h) to the Albanian-Macedonian border. Start cycling along the lake Ohrid, stopping for lunch at one of the many restaurants on the shore of the lake. After lunch continue through Pogradec to Tushemisht, near the other Albanian-Macedonian border on the south-east corner of the lake. After checking in the hotel we will ride to St. Naum in Macedonia to visit the beautiful Monastery. You will need your passport here!

Day 3: Pogradec-Korcë – 51 km / 32 miles, elevation gain 412 m / 1352 ft

A climb out from the lake onto another high plateau. Following the gorge for a while until the hills open up leading into a vast plain, a patchwork of individual farms and colours. An early arrival in Korçë allows you to go for a cultural tour around the city known as the Paris of Albania.

Day 4: Korcë to Sotirë – 72 km / 45 miles, elevation gain 1170 m / 3839 ft

We start cycling leaving behind the agricultural plateau of Korçë climbing steadily into the border mountains through a landscape of barren rock and wild flowers. Numerous hills and valleys lie ahead, climbing into the heart of the Gramoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass(1,159m) to Sotire lying in its own tranquil valley.

Day 5: Sotirë to Bënje – 66 km / 42 miles, elevation gain 661 m / 2169 ft

A climb out from Sotire to a high grassy plateau surrounded by soaring peaks before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. Descending more into Çarshove and then following the corniche route high above the river to Benje situated on a bluff above the river. After lunch and checking in the guesthouse we will take a short ride to the thermal springs for a swim at the end of the Langarica canyons.

Day 6: Bënjë to Gjirokastër – 70 km / 44 miles, elevation gain 427 m / 1401 ft

Continue along the valley towards Kelcyra the distant shark’s tooth peaks, which guards a further gorge. Ride between them to the Drinos river following yet another gorge. This opens out into a wide plain with the town of Gjirokastёr (city of 1,000 steps) high above on your right.

Day 7: Gjirokastër to Sarandë – 70 km / 44 miles, elevation gain 525 m / 1722 ft

After a short 25 km morning transfer we will start riding at the top of Muzina pass towards Sarandё, which lies along the Ionian coast, sandwiched between the high mountains and the sea and close to the ancient remains of Butrint. As an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Butrint is one of the county’s most important archaeological sites, tracing its origins back to the Greeks and the Romans.

Day 8: Sarandë to Himarë – 52 km / 32 miles, elevation gain 1064 m / 3491 ft

A roller coaster of a ride, leaving as the mist is burnt off by the sun, climbing steeply out of Sarandё to a rocky plateau. Then it’s over hills into bays and around headlands, always with the stunning mountain scenery to the right and sea to the left before descending to the long beach and the bay of Himarë.

Day 9: Himarë to Vlorë – 64 km / 40 miles, elevation gain 1590 m / 5217 ft

Today’s route is as challenging as it is spectacular. Cycling up to the Llogara pass 1,000 m above the blue waters of the Ionian Sea and its National Park, home to black pines, Eurasian otters and golden eagles. The park is a scenic expanse of protected woodland that encompasses the forests on the northern side of the Llogara Pass. After lunch we cycle downhill all the way to Vlorё.

Day 10: Departure day (transfer to Tirana – 3 hours)

Farewell! Morning transfer from Vlorё to Tirana Int. Airport. Please keep in mind, that a transfer to Tirana airport is about 3 hours. We recommend booking a return flight that leaves after 1 pm or spending an extra night in Tirana (not included).

This bike trip at a glance?

This guided bike trip at a glance?

Dates and Prices 2023

Dates listed in black are open for booking. If marked in red they’re fully booked, in blue there are 4 or fewer bookings available. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions, we’re happy to answer any queries you may have.

Departures from Tirana