{"id":11809,"date":"2024-02-04T22:29:56","date_gmt":"2024-02-04T21:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/project.howdymeta.com\/?page_id=11809"},"modified":"2026-04-01T11:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T09:04:14","slug":"stage-1-theth-valbona","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/etappe-1-theth-valbona\/","title":{"rendered":"Peaks of the Balkans stage 1: Hike from Theth to Valbona"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"11809\" class=\"elementor elementor-11809\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f2c3fe elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"2f2c3fe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d4518d\" data-id=\"3d4518d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35ae5a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35ae5a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Peaks of the Balkans stage 1: Theth - Valbona <\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b0ccd3c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b0ccd3c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ef39168\" data-id=\"ef39168\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71191b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"71191b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Stage 1: Hike from Theth to Valbona<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f2b885 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2f2b885\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f283271\" data-id=\"f283271\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de333f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de333f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Stage 1 of the long-distance hiking trail \u201ePeaks of the Balkans\u201c is a pleasant start with several rest stops and wonderful views of the extensive Valbona valley.<\/p><p>The start in Theth, where we follow a gravel track along the course of a river, offers little in the way of scenic attractions; we share the route with jeeps and minibuses. Then, however, the hiking trail leads us up to the pass \u201eQafa e Valbon\u00ebs\u201c (1,797 metres). From there we have a marvellous view of the long valley of Valbona.<\/p><p>The village is particularly atmospheric in the mornings and evenings due to the special lighting conditions. It has small hotels &amp; guesthouses, restaurants, campsites and shopping facilities - and therefore pretty much everything we need after a long day of hiking.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec3da24 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ec3da24\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4264eec\" data-id=\"4264eec\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e23120 elementor-pagination-position-inside elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"6e23120\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Picture carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 from 7\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Theth-Village-Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Trail.jpg\" alt=\"Village of Theth Peaks of the Balkans Trail stage 1 - Peaks of the Balkans, impressive mountain landscape\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 from 7\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Trail-Etappe-1-Start-im-Alpendorf-Theth-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans Trail stage 1 Start in the alpine village of Theth\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 from 7\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Trail-Etappe-1-Aufstieg-Wanderer-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans Trail stage 1 ascent hiker\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 from 7\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Trail-Etappe-1-Ausblick-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans Trail Stage 1 View\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 from 7\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Trail-Etappe-1-Pass-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans Trail stage 1 Valbona Pass\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 from 7\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Trail-Etappe-1-Valbona-Pass-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans Trail stage 1 Valbona Pass\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 from 7\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Trail-Etappe-1-Blick-ins-Valbona-Tal-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans Trail stage 1 View into the Valbona Valley\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-21e226c\" data-id=\"21e226c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1652c40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-price-list\" data-id=\"1652c40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"price-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-price-list\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDifficulty\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">Medium difficulty<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoute\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">12 km<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDuration\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">6:30 h<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAscent\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">1125 m<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDescent\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">750 m<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHighest point\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">1807 hm<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLowest point\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">744 hm<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"elementor-price-list-item\" href=\"#\">\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-price-list-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMarkings\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-separator\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-price-list-price\">white\/red\/white<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-53892ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"53892ec\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-aa9915f\" data-id=\"aa9915f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-caf6ce5 elementor-align-justify elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"caf6ce5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-float\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abenteueralbanien.de\/peaks-of-the-balkans-5-10-days\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Peaks of the Balkans Trail Booking<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a8a93ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a8a93ea\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5424fca\" data-id=\"5424fca\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d512ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d512ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"oax_clearfix\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0<\/div><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0Map &amp; elevation profile<\/h3><h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-15670 size-full alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-scaled.png\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans stage 1 - Theth Valbona - Elevation profile\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-1024x523.png 1024w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-768x393.png 768w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-1536x785.png 1536w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-2048x1047.png 2048w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Theth-Valbona-Hoehenprofil-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5040d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5040d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Peaks of the Balkans - Hike Theth to Valbona<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee27fae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee27fae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">This first stage of the Peaks of the Balkans begins with the hike from Theth (745 m) over the spectacular Valbona Pass (1759 m) to Valbon\u00eb (995 m). The hike follows the route of an old mule track that has always connected the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The route can be divided into two parts by staying overnight in one of Rragam's guest houses. 6 km before you reach the centre of Valbon\u0451. Another way to split the hike is to camp in the meadows before reaching the Valbona Pass. There are no settlements or huts near the Valbona Pass (and no shepherds in summer), but a bar has recently been built where you can buy refreshments in summer.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The hike starts in the centre of Theth, waypoint (waypoint) 1, and continues northwest on a barren gravel road with the river Theth on your left. The main bridge of Theth and the Prek Harusha guesthouse can serve as landmarks. After a few hundred metres, cross a stony stream on a footbridge and immediately take the path on the right at the next fork.\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The path turns right at SS 2 and continues north-westwards. A few metres further on, you will pass signs for Gusinje, Montenegro and Valbon\u00eb, Albania. The hike continues gently uphill along a dirt road until you see the first house of the village of Gjelaj together with the mule track on the left at SS 3. We take the mule track and the ascent becomes increasingly steeper.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">After about 200 metres, the mule track reaches a colourful forest and runs through it for 1 kilometre until you reach a picturesque meadow (SS 4). This is an inviting place to rest, offering fantastic views of the valley of Theth and the surrounding mountains.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15778 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Etappe-1-Hochwiese.jpg\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans stage 1 Hochwiese\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Etappe-1-Hochwiese.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Etappe-1-Hochwiese-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Etappe-1-Hochwiese-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Balkans-Etappe-1-Hochwiese-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d96c90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d96c90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Our first stage of the hike continues steeply uphill to the north-east and leads us into the forest again after 30 minutes. After about 500 metres, we reach a water source (WP 5). A few metres further on, we pass a new wooden hut, which is usually open to hikers in summer. We follow the path south-east through the forest for another 700 metres, then leave the forest and continue eastwards up towards the Valbona Pass (WP 6).<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The path continues to the right above the bar and leads us in another 45 minutes or so, well marked, to the top of the pass \u201eQafa e Valbon\u00ebs\u201c. This is located at an altitude of 1,797 metres. This point offers breathtaking views of two valleys (Valbon\u00eb to the east, Theth to the west). Enjoy the view and relax before returning to the valley.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\">The following descent to Valbon\u00eb begins in the north-west and then leads through a series of zigzags to the north-east (SS 7). At the end of the zigzag we cross a (dried up) stream (SS 8). We then continue south-westwards as the trail follows a clear path into an open, wooded area. After about 600 metres we reach a stream with drinking water (SS 9), a good place to rest before starting the final descent to the village of Rragam (SS 10). At this point, we turn left at the crossroads.\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14433 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Valbona-Tal-Albanien.jpg\" alt=\"Valbona Valley Albania\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Valbona-Tal-Albanien.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Valbona-Tal-Albanien-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Valbona-Tal-Albanien-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Valbona-Tal-Albanien-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p><div class=\"oax_marg_bottom_33\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f68b73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f68b73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In Rragam, our hike is lined with fences and the Valbon\u00eb valley can be seen to our right. After walking a few hundred metres through the village, we turn right at the crossroads (SS 11) and the route continues along a gravel road lined with pine trees. This is the main road that connects Valbon\u00eb to Rragam. We take this route for about 3 kilometres and end our hike at the Fusha e Gjes Hotel (WP 12). The centre of Valbon\u00eb is 3.5 kilometres to the north-east and can be reached via this route.<\/p><div class=\"oax_marg_bottom_33\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><h3 class=\"oax_h oax_custom_font oax_h3 oax_marg_bottom_11\">Directions - Public transport<\/h3><p>There is a daily bus from Shkodra (Shoker) to Theth during the summer months.<\/p><\/div><h3 class=\"oax_h oax_custom_font oax_h3 oax_marg_bottom_11\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Parking<\/h3><p style=\"text-align: left;\">Car park after the bridge on the left, opposite the small supermarket.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d779315 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d779315\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6dd9a7a\" data-id=\"6dd9a7a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-665599b elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"665599b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-float\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abenteueralbanien.de\/peaks-of-the-balkans-5-10-days\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Peaks of the Balkans Trail Booking<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cee64e6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cee64e6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5abf9db\" data-id=\"5abf9db\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c3a034c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c3a034c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-561f66c\" data-id=\"561f66c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e944bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2e944bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Baoekans-Etappe-1-Theth-Valbona-Route-1024x752.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15768\" alt=\"Peaks of the Balkans Stage 1 Theth Valbona Route\" srcset=\"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Baoekans-Etappe-1-Theth-Valbona-Route-1024x752.png 1024w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Baoekans-Etappe-1-Theth-Valbona-Route-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Baoekans-Etappe-1-Theth-Valbona-Route-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Baoekans-Etappe-1-Theth-Valbona-Route-16x12.png 16w, https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peaks-of-the-Baoekans-Etappe-1-Theth-Valbona-Route.png 1214w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Peaks of the Balkans stage 1: Hike from Theth to Valbona. Distance: 14 kilometres, maximum altitude: 1,759 metres, difficulty: medium, duration: approx. 7 hours<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":14800,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11809","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11809"}],"version-history":[{"count":234,"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16098,"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11809\/revisions\/16098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/peaksofthebalkans.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}