Welcome by an English-speaking member from Envie d’Albanie team at TIA airport. Direction Kukes.
Free time and dinner and accommodation in a hotel.
The Healing Valley trail is designed for explorers who wish to discover landscapes, biodiversity, tradition, food and to share a maximum of time with the local people from Dibër region. The trail will go through mountainous terrain belonging to the so-called “Shar Mountains”, the colorful mountains. These mountains host many glacial lakes, watermills, caves, canyons, springs, waterfalls, natural grassland and wonderful forests. Moreover, the itinerary crosses the lands where the Albanian National hero, George Kastriot Skanderbeg was born and raised which make the region rich in cultural heritage.
The High Scardus Trail is older than Christianism. It was built within the 2nd century BC by the romans and it goes around high roundy mountains of Sharr. This trail is home to the biggest pastoral lands in Europe.
The Dibër Trail comes from the implementation of the D2T “Dibër: Trails & Tradition” project which aims to develop sustainable tourism in the Dibër region of Albania.
The Healing Valley trail takes its name from the curative properties of the thermal springs of Peshkope and from the mountainous part of Skërteci Highland Pasture, part of the Korab mountain range.
Beauty and charm await you.
2 to 2+
Experienced English-speaking guide
4
No
1 (Day 7)
Backpack or equivalent 15 to 20 kg max
3✰ or 4✰ Hotels
Tirana International airport
15 April to 30 October
A small backpack is required for your daily equipment
By mules and/or vans from one accommodation to the next one
1 Night in a 4 ✰ Hotel
6 Nights in guesthouses
7 Breakfasts & dinners
6 Lunches or picnics (no lunch day 1)
Transportation including luggage transfers
English-speaking guide
(*) Free option: Visit of the ethnographic museum of Theth (Plan between 1 and 2 €)
Accommodation in hotel (double room and local standard) or guesthouses (double or shared rooms).
Meals (breakfasts, lunches or baskets, dinners) and drinks (table water)
All luggage transport (1x backpack or equivalent of 15 kg maximum per person) by horses, vans or 4x4 between stages
All personal expenses
Costs related to specific requests or those not mentioned above
Meals and drinks other than table water which are served during meals
Lunch and dinner day 7
Tips and gratuities
Visit day 7 (if any)
The plane ticket
Accommodation in single rooms
Travel insurance
Welcome by an English-speaking member from Envie d’Albanie team at TIA airport. Direction Kukes.
Free time and dinner and accommodation in a hotel.
Trek: ~ 6:00 hours.
Maximal ascent: ~ 900 m.
Maximal descent: ~ 900 m.
Distance: ~ 13 km.
Luggage transfer: Vehicle.
Transfer by vehicle to the Novosej lake which is the departure point of the daily hike. The itinieraty follows the paths let by sheperds and off-road vehicles to reach the pastures of Murges and the border with Kosovo. From there, the track gently climbs following the border up to the summit of the Mount Kallabakut at 2200 meters which provide georgeous views on the surrounding mountains of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
Then smooth descent along the border with North Macedonia through the summer pastures of Ngjyrave, Kokes and Çajë.
Dinner and accommodation in a guesthouse.
Trek: 10:00 hours.
Maximal ascent: 1450 m.
Maximal descent: 1450 m.
Distance: 22 km.
Luggage Transfer: No
From the top of its peak, Mount Arapi dominates the entire region. Nicknamed the Matterhorn of the Cursed Mountains, the ascent of its majestic shape remains a challenge, even for the most experienced.
It is also a meeting place for mountaineers because its steep walls are extremely popular for professional climbers, especially the 800-metre high one facing south. Speleologists are also on hand to explore the caves, the longest has been measured over 2580 meters with heights sometimes exceeding 340 meters.
Its ascent will give an insight into what awaits travelers in the Cursed Mountains.
Dinner and night in a guesthouse.
Trek: ~ 5:30 hours.
Maximal ascent: ~ 740 m.
Maximal descent: ~ 220 m.
Distance: ~ 12 km
Luggage Transfer: Vehicle up to Rabdishte.
The daily trail will connect the village of Radomire to the pasture of the Grama lake “Bjeshka e Zonjave”. From early June to end of September, it is possible to meet local shepherds accompanying their flocks.
The path takes the direction of Stordok on a dirt road which was used many years ago as water supply canal for Radomire.
The dirt road continues with gently uphill southwest, with the river bed on the right and the steep meadows on the left. Passing few shepherd huts on the way, it soon hits the river at an altitude of 1840 meters and crosses the stream following the livadhet e mansave pastures and ascends towards the west until a dirt road lead the path up to the Grama lake.
Then, moving south-westerly direction along the pylli I bjeshkës pastures, the trail gets close to the rocky mountain ahead and finally arrives at the accommodation place located at the Bjeshka e Zonjave pastures.
Dinner and night in a very simple hut at 1780 meters.
Note: Trekkers should foresee to carry their personal stuff for 1 night/day. No luggage transport is organize up to Grama hut. Luggage are directly transferred to Rabdishte.
Trek: ~ 6:00 hours
Maximal ascent: ~ 520 m.
Maximal descent: ~ 1100 m.
Distance: ~ 14 km
No
The itinerary takes the direction of the Deshat mountain via the mountain of Grama (2354 m). from the accommodation hut, the trail moves uphill until it reach the meadow and then continues to climb south, traversing along the left side of the gorge with the stream on the right, after a gentle uphill the climb continues towards the east to the highest point of the pass Shkrtec at almost 2000 meters. From there, it would be easy to cross again the border with North Macedonia.
From the pass, the itinerary moves down, losing almost 340 meters zigzagging over approximately 1 km. Then it continues towards Zagrad traversing the grassy slope where it gain 150 meters high to reach the border. Just a foot step and the border is crossed.
Later, the trail passes-by a shepherd hut and gently descent towards Zagrad on a gravelly trail. From there, it follows the pastures of k. Shullerit to finally arrive at the wonderful newly partially restored village of Rabdishte.
Dinner and accommodation in a guesthouse.
Rabdishte village is one of the most interesting villages in Albania. The mountain location, the traditional stonework, as well as the cobbled streets, give its appearance and its name, the “stone village”. Rabdishte is located at the top of the Healing Valley, which has taken its name from the curative properties of the thermal springs of Peshkopi and from the mountainous part of Rabdishte highland pasture, part of the Deshat-Korab mountain range. Agriculture is the main part of the village economy, specializing in potatoes, different types of nuts, apples, forest fruits and medicinal plants. Rabdishte is only 6 km from Peshkopi and offers a combination of natural beauty, thermal waters and fresh mountain air.
The village is very well-known for its surrounding virgin nature and splendid mountains and forests. Much more than a Guesthouse, the place is an unique experience that offers traditional intertwined with modern. The family will treat the guests with royalty and within its traditional Albanian hospitality. Feel like being home. They will tell you the secrets of their virgin region. The friendly place offers great ambiance, areas to chill out and a great atmosphere. Enjoy the hospitality of the welcoming family.
Visit of the village which hosts many traditional stone houses with great views of the surrounding nature and mountains. Many old footpaths and shepherds trails crossing the region are still used today, leading nature lovers through fields and meadows, past streams and waterfalls and through forested areas in the mountains. Visit of Rabdishte’ apple plantations and potato fields which surround the village.
Dinner and accommodation in a guesthouse.
Departure to Kruja, the city of the National Albanian Hero, Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg.
Visit of the Ethnographic Museum of Kruja, which is located in the citadel in a house that belonged to one of the richest families of the 18th century. In a setting of elaborate ceilings and sumptuous murals, it presents objects and scenes of life that help us understand how an Albanian family lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Stroll inside the Kruja Bazaar. This marketplace has been created 400 years ago to allow the local merchants to exchange various goods with others. Later it became a trading place and finally a Bazaar where traditional hand-made carpets or fabrics share the narrow cobbled stones passage with cooper utensils or other carved wooden artefacts and other ancient objects from all kinds.
Dinner in a traditional restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Free time and transfer to the airport.
A discovery trek for unforgettable memories
Route on the paths of the Sharr mountains
Step-off the beaten paths
On the ridges between Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia
Meeting with a warm population
Visit of exceptional places
Private transfers
A valid passport or an ID (at least 6 months from the start of the stay) is required to enter in Albania
International travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover the consequences of incidents that may occur while travelling, travelling and staying abroad. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with his travel agent or insurer before departure.
For safety reasons and in case of force majeure, the guide has full authority to adapt or even cancel an itinerary. This is all the more valid depending on the evolution of the weather or for medical reasons.
As the guide is responsible for all the people in his care and for the cohesion of the group, he can at any time adapt the pace of the walk, the effort, the itinerary… in order to avoid the isolation of one or more participants.
The guide has a duty to ensure that the environment in which the group operates is respected.
In order to respect the rules and laws in force in the countries crossed, Envie d’Albanie can call on the support of local partners licensed in these countries (guides, transport, equipment, logistics, etc.). We have ensured that these companies share the same values as those established by Envie d’Albanie.
The distances, ascents, descents and walking times information are given as an indication.
Some visits may be cancelled due to weather conditions or other conditions which are not under the control of the agency such as daily closure.
This discovery trek includes walks over important distances in the wild. It is not recommended for children under 15 years of age.
It is advisable to be in good health and physical condition.
Avoid drinking tap water or spring water, unless your guide allows it.
Respect the environment in which you operate. He’ll give it back to you.