Hikers on a Mountain Trail with a Coastal View in Southern Albania
Splendid spring view from flying drone of Dalan and Voge hiking area. Colorful seascape of Adriatic sea. Majestic morning scene of Albania, Europe. Beauty of nature concept background.
Olive trees on the Albanian coast. Albanian landscape with mountains and trees. Summer in Albania
Gjirokastra, Albania - September, 2021: Souvenir shops in old town of Gjirokaster in Albania. Old town of Gjirokaster is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
Gjipe Beach - Himare, Albania
Ionian Coast Of Albania
Walking to the Gjipe Beach. Himarë, Albania
Sonnenbeleuchtete Dorfansicht alter Steinbauten am Hang, Qeparo, Qark Vlora, Albanien
Twilight Bay View on the Albanian Riviera
Village of Vuno, Albania, Balkans
Borsh beach in Albania
Beach umbrellas, and sun loungers on pebble beach. Qeparo village. Albania. Ionian Sea. Vacation sea concept. Summer sunny seaside landscape.
Borsh, Castle, Albania: Goat on rocky cliff with mountains in background
ancient archaeological ruins of the castle of Borsh in Albania near saranda and the original ottoman mosque
Albanian food in the famous restaurant Mrizi I Zanave in village Fishte, region of Zadrima. Domestic food appetizers and wine.
Llogara National Park in summer. Llogara Pass road SH8. Landscape of Ceraunian Mountains in Albania. Cike mountain (also known as Cika).
The Llogara Pass Qafa e Llogarasë Scenic View in Albania
Himare coast in Albania
Ksamil beach, Albania
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Albanian Riviera Hiking Tour

8 days / 7 nights

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Albania

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Eight days on Albania's Ionian coast: four village-to-sea walks from one 3-star hotel in Himarë, then two days high on the Llogara ridge.

Starting Point

Himarë

Finish Point

Tirana

Fitness Level

2/5

Technical Level

3/5

Season

From April to November

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Tour Type

Travel & Hike

Daily Distance

6 – 8 mi

Daily Elevation

1312 – 1804 ft

Highlights

  • Hike from hilltop villages down to turquoise coves on the Ionian Sea
  • Unpack once and wake up by the sea in Himarë for five nights
  • Wander the stone lanes of Old Qeparo, the village the coast left behind
  • Cool off with a swim at Jal, Livadh, Bunec or Borsh after the walk
  • Swap the beach for pine forest with a night in Llogara National Park
  • Climb to 1,600 m under Maja e Qores, with the Ionian Sea far below

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

Are you looking for a good adventure and limitless flexibility? Then you should try out a self-guided tour, perfect for independent explorers who want to set their own pace. Without the need to stick to a group schedule, you’re free to linger at scenic viewpoints while the logistics are taken care of in advance.

INCLUDED

7 nights in 3-star hotels or B&Bs with breakfast, private room with own bathroom
Every transfer, from arrival to departure
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Lunches and dinners
Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Additional transfers
on request
Extra nights
on request
Hotel upgrades
on request
Single supplement
+500 €/person
Accommodation levelComfort

Carefully selected 3-star hotels and B&Bs, all with private en-suite rooms and breakfast included. Expect comfortable, well-appointed rooms with attentive hospitality, typically in convenient and scenic locations — some properties also offer on-site dining.

These are examples of the type and standard you can expect. Actual properties may vary depending on availability.

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

The Albanian Coastal Trail links the stone villages above the Ionian Sea with the beaches below them: the Riviera most visitors never see from the coast road. Five of your seven nights are in one 3-star hotel in Himarë, so the bags stay put and a car takes you to the start of each walk.

The walks run downhill more often than not: three of the four coast walks finish by the sea, at Borsh, in Himarë and above Borsh again. You walk old paths between the villages, past olive terraces, oleander in the streambeds and small chapels. Most days are 8 to 12 km, with time left for a swim or a long lunch.

Then the trip climbs. Llogara is a pine-forested national park on the pass above the Riviera, and your last two walks are mountain days: one along the ridge west of the pass, one up to a saddle at 1,600 m under Maja e Qores. You sleep a night among the pines, and the air is noticeably cooler than in Himarë.

Spring and autumn are the seasons for this coast. April, May and early June bring wildflowers and empty paths; September and October bring a sea still warm enough to swim in. In July and August the heat on the open tracks is too much, so we do not run the tour in those months.

As on all our trips, you walk on your own, at your own pace, with the route in the app. Every transfer is booked for you, from Tirana airport on day 1 to Tirana airport on day 8, and a support line is open around the clock if anything changes.

Want the mountains too? The Albanian Alps Hiking Tour crosses from Valbona to Theth over the Valbona Pass, and in September the two fit into one trip: the Alps first, then the coast. Check the Himarë forecast on yr.no before you pack; the Llogara ridge can be cloudy and windy while the coast is in sunshine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Of course. We aim to make your decision as easy as possible. Therefore, we crafted several selections targeted at particular groups of hikers – Best for Beginners, Best for Advanced Hikers, Mountain Hikes, Pilgrimages, Classic Treks, etc.

If you remain unsure and overwhelmed, complete our quiz in under a minute to get tailored recommendations or book a call with us, and we can help you directly.

The sooner, the better! Booking in advance ensures you secure a spot, especially on popular routes where accommodations in remote areas can fill up quickly. For tours like the Tour du Mont Blanc and Alta Via, it's best to book several months ahead, as these areas have limited availability in mountain huts.

However, for some of our less-traveled tours, it's possible to book just a few weeks in advance, though availability and comfort may be more limited, particularly in remote areas with fewer options. To ensure you have the best experience, we always recommend booking early, especially during peak hiking seasons.

Our tours offer flexible starting days, allowing you to begin whenever suits you.However, for some of our most popular routes, like the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) and Alta Via, we have selected departure days due to high demand and pre-booked accommodations.Be sure to check the specific requirements for these tours.

We offer a variety of tours suitable for different fitness levels and technical abilities. Some of them require no prior hiking experience.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, we have the perfect route for you. You can find more information in our Hiking Difficulty Guide, and we also have dedicated sections for Best for Beginners and Best for Advanced Hikers to help you choose the suitable tour.

The fitness level is based on a scale determined by our hiking experts. It varies depending on the tour and defines the selected hiking tour's physical requirements in comparison to others. For a detailed overview, please refer to our Hiking Difficulty Guide.

The technical demands of each hike differ. The technical-level scale defines the technical requirements of each tour in comparison to others, ranging from basic walking to scrambling or using specialized equipment. For a more in-depth explanation of the five levels, please refer to our Hiking Difficulty Guide.

Most of our tours are self-guided, meaning you have the freedom to explore at your own pace without being tied to a group schedule. We provide detailed digital guidebooks that include maps, route notes, and GPS files to ensure a smooth experience.

You can learn more about the concept by reading Self-Guided Tours Explained. We include a guide only for the most challenging treks, like the Triglav Summit Climb.

We provide a comprehensive digital guidebook with maps, route notes, accommodation details, and emergency contacts. Our support will be available during the tour. However, you'll have all the information you need to enjoy your hike independently.

Check out how self-guided tours work in more detail and an example of our digital guidebook here.

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VALUE YOUR TIME

With everything on your plate, let us handle the vacation planning, so your valuable time stays exactly where you need it.

SELF-GUIDED TRAVEL

Explore independently and with confidence while we keep everything running from behind the scenes.

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Since 2014, we have taken care of thousands of happy customers, making it our mission to put your satisfaction first.

OUTDOOR SPECIALISTS

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from 1.145 € /person