footage from september in albania doing the komani lake ferry and valbona theth hike. for an overview of the entire trip, check this video instead: [ Ссылка ]
i’ve also written a blogpost about this trip which you can find here:
[ Ссылка ]
but for the lazy ones, i’ll also add it below:
discovering north albania: a 2-day journey on the komani lake ferry & the valbona theth hike
the northern reaches of albania offer an untouched beauty is an experience like no other. our journey on the komani lake ferry, followed by the valbona theth hike, was nothing short of spellbinding. here's a glimpse into the adventure, while providing some essential tips.
starting point in shkodër
having a rental car, we found it most convenient to park in shkodër. that way we were also able to leave the majority of our things in the car. and to be honest; for this two-day escapade, you really don't need to pack your entire wardrobe. luckily, valbona national park also has some restaurants and markets for essentials. though, do bring an empty bottle as the guesthouses often have pure mountain water you can refill with.
from shköder to komani lake tunnel
the buses to the location of where the ferry leaves, are located in front of rozafa hotel. when you go early in the morning, you can’t miss the many buses that are all going towards the ferry, in specific to the komani lake tunnel. the ride is about 1-1.5 hours. tickets can be purchased online for €12, but if you're feeling spontaneous, you can snag one at the bus stop for €10. to avoid any last-minute rush, we suggest securing your ticket online.
the komani lake voyageas you approach the tunnel, expect a short wait, about an hour or so. then, the tranquil waters of komani lake beckon. the route to fierze is a visual treat, but here's another essential tip: avoid the ferry's rear to escape the motor's drone and try to get a spot at the front. while the landscape is definitely a treat to the eyes, i do have to admit, after a couple of hours, i was ready for the next leg of the journey.
from fierze to the heart of valbona valleyon arrival, many hop onto their pre-arranged tours. but for spontaneous souls like us, local transport awaits, costing around €10 per person. soon, we were unwinding in a quaint guesthouse, with the valbona mountains painting a majestic backdrop. pure bliss!
trail time: valbona to thethour day began at 7 am, and by 8, we were on the trail. our guesthouse graciously provided an early breakfast to fuel our journey. the initial path, laden with white rocks, might seem challenging, but the trail soon rewards with its mesmerizing beauty, especially when the sun pierces through the clouds.
reaching the peak took us about three hours, with a couple of short breaks. while we found it quite manageable, we've heard that for some, the total journey can stretch between 7 to 10 hours. the descent, however, is deceptively longer, so allocate ample time. the trek from valbona to theth can feel endless, but the promise of the quaint town of theth keeps the spirits high. we arrived at around 1 pm at theth, thinking maybe a later start wouldn't have hurt.
theth
theth, with its handful of restaurants and cozy spots, offers a peaceful respite. while the town might seem sleepy, a local supermarket ensures you're stocked up on essentials.
journeying back to shkodërthe ride back posed its challenges. mixed reviews online about bus timings kept us on our toes. but fortune favored us, and we managed a shared ride back to shkodër which cost us also around €10,- per person. this was also the most terrifying ride we’ve ever had, but we arrived safely. a word of advice? maybe pre-book your return during off-peak seasons.
this 2-day adventure offers a blend of tranquility and thrill. while our journey had its moments of unpredictability, it's these very moments that make for unforgettable memories. safe travels!
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equipment used:
apple macbook pro m1 (2020) - [ Ссылка ]
video recorded with:
dji osmo action 3 - [ Ссылка ]
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hi there, my name is ferkan and i'm based in the hague (the netherlands). i’m a dutch/turkish product manager and designer working full-time on AI-powered tools for people who are blind or have low vision. in my spare time i like to create video content of my life that consists of cycling, coffee, cooking and more random things. - don’t forget to subscribe!
