Overview
Distance
57km
Duration
8 Days
Difficulty
Grade I
Price
From £830pp
Accommodation
Guesthouses, Homestays
Fixed Dates
10th-17th October 2026
Group Size
2-8 people
What is the Zagoria Valley Trek?
Embark on a remarkable adventure through the captivating Zagoria region, a mountainous paradise brimming with awe-inspiring landscapes, charming villages, and hidden treasures. Along the way, you’ll encounter picturesque churches, monasteries, and enchanting waterfalls, adding a sense of wonder to your adventure. Experience the warmth and hospitality of the locals as you stay with host families in remote villages, relishing in their homemade culinary delights and engaging in delightful conversations.
The trails are well-maintained, offering comfortable walking conditions. Expect daily walks ranging from 10 to 15 kilometers, with elevation changes of 400 to 750 meters. An exception is the hike across the Dhembeli Pass, a more challenging endeavor that leads a thrilling 1,250-meter descent into Permet.
Price Information
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Tirana, group transfer to Peshtan
Upon your arrival at the airport, a private transfer will be arranged to pick you up and drive you to the charming village of Peshtan in the South of Albania. Peshtan, nestled on the mountainside, is a village steeped in history, as it witnessed a significant battle during the Greco-Italian war and holds remnants of World War II. We will be staying in a welcoming guesthouse and your local hosts, Mira and her husband, who are also teachers in the village, will provide you with a fascinating tour of the first battle and the axes lost in WWII.
Meals Included: D
Day 02: Hike Peshtan - Limare
Key Hiking Stats
- Distance: 10.4 km (6.20 mi)
- Uphill cumulative: 715m (2345ft)
- Downhill cumulative: 335m (1099ft)
- Minimal elevation: 325m (1066ft)
- Maximal Elevation 680m (2230ft)
- Difficulty level: easy/moderate
Embarking on a shorter hike, you will start from Peshtan and walk 10 kilometers to Limara.
We will start the hike on a trail that ascends through open woodland to a pass that offers a panoramic view of the valley, which is flanked on both sides by mountains. Along the trail, you will encounter the magnificent stone bridge over the Deshnica River, built by the renowned Albanian leader Ali Pashe Tepelena during the nineteenth century. As you hike, enjoy breathtaking views of the Deshnica River valley, with the majestic Strakavec peak towering above 2000 meters. After approximately 5 to 6 hours of hiking, including a final ascent, you will reach the welcoming village of Limara, where Nol, the village teacher, will host you in his guest house.
Limara offers a glimpse into the past, with its time-frozen atmosphere and picturesque surroundings. As you explore the village, you will be captivated by the three imposing peaks of Strakavec, Hormova, and Sheshi Malit, creating a stunning backdrop. The village is adorned with stone houses and an Orthodox Church. These buildings bear witness to the struggle for religious freedom during the early 20th century, marked by their transformation from places of worship to cattle farms under communist rule. Limara is also home to hundreds of sheep and goat that pasture these mountains and provide for the eco food in the village and the valley.
Meals Included: B, L, D
Day 03: Hike Limar - Hoshteve
Key Hiking Stats
- Distance: 15.8km (9.81 mi)
- Uphill cumulative: 633m (2076ft)
- Downhill cumulative: 445m (1459ft)
- Minimal elevation: 450m (1475ft)
- Maximal Elevation 865m (2835ft)
- Difficulty level: easy/moderate
Your hike from Limara to Hoshteve will immerse you in the beauty of beech and oak forests, vibrant fields, and meadows adorned with colorful flowers. While progressing, you will leave Strakavec peak behind and witness the Dhembeli massive on your left, resembling a line of tooth-like peaks. Take a refreshing break by dipping your feet in a cool stream while enjoying a picnic. The trail will lead you through the nearly deserted village of Deshnice, often considered one of the most isolated villages in Europe. Your journey culminates in Hoshteve, a village renowned for its larger church and remarkable icons.
Meals Included: B, L, D
Day 04: Hike Hoshteve - Sheper
Key Hiking Stats
- Distance: 12.5 km
- Uphill cumulative: 600 m
- Downhill cumulative: 550 m
- Duration: 5:00 hrs
A shorter, gentler path with views of Mount Cajupi makes for a relaxing but satisfying day of walking. Roads connect the settlements of Vithuq, Koncka, Nivan, and Sheper, and their effect can be seen in modern buildings that serve as weekend and retirement homes. The trail descends to the river, monastery, and the final of Ali Pasha’s stone bridges only once more. After taking a detour through the meadows, you’ll arrive in Sheper, where many nomadic Aroman sheperds were compelled to reside during communism.
Day 05: Hike Sheper - Permet
Key Hiking Stats Elevation Profile
- Distance: 11.8 km (7.33 mi)
- Uphill cumulative: 575m (1886ft)
- Downhill cumulative: 1215m (3986ft)
- Minimal elevation: 230m (754ft)
- Maximal Elevation 1460m (4790ft)
- Difficultylevel: easy/moderate
Sheper is the largest village along the trail, situated at an altitude of 800 meters, making it the highest village in the region. The village features its own church and has recently undergone renovation, preserving its ancient exterior.
This day’s hike presents what some consider to be the best trail in the region, connecting two valleys and passing through Dhembel, reaching an altitude of 1468 meters. As you climb at 660 meters altitude, you will encounter vast meadows filled with vegetation that has nourished sheeps and goats for centuries. Take a moment to sit and imagine how even before the time of Christ, Illyrian shepherds grazed their lambs here, perhaps playing a tune on their flutes.
Reaching the pass, you will be treated to a panoramic view of Permet, Vjosa River and the Zagori Valley.
After savoring the view and the tranquil atmosphere, begin your descent towards Permet, which spans a significant altitude drop of 1200 meters. The rocky trail along the descent offers a spectacular panorama. On the way, the village of Leuse presents an ideal stop and boasts another orthodox church adorned with frescoes.
Meals Included: B, L, D
Day 06: Transfer Permet - Sopot Waterfall. Visit Benjat and Langarica Canyon. Transfer to Labova e Kryqit
Key Hiking Stats
- Distance: 2.84 km (1.76 mi)
- Uphill cumulative: 310m (1015ft)
- Downhill cumulative: 310m (1015ft)
- Minimal elevation: 464m (1522ft)
- Maximal Elevation 800m (2625ft)
Difficulty level: easy
The view alone is worth the 45-minute journey to today’s trailhead. The blue waters of the Vjosa have carved deep into the rock beneath us, while the craggy Nemercka Range stands above the river. As you return from your hike, another unique natural wonder awaits you at the neighboring entrance to the Langarica Canyon.
The warm thermal pools of Benje are believed to have curative properties for various ailments. They provide a delightful treat after the past few days of hiking, allowing you to soak and relax in their sulfuric waters or venture through the river canyon. These sulphur-rich waters offer the perfect way to unwind after days of trekking.
The iconic Kadiu Bridge, a stone arch from the Ottoman era, stretches across the turquoise waters of the Langarica River, framing the thermal baths and offering sweeping views of the Vjosa Valley and Nemerçka Mountains. Visitors can take a relaxing soak in the shallow pools near the bridge or opt to explore the scenic river canyon on foot and wander upstream to find quieter, terraced baths. As you walk beneath the bridge and into the canyon, where the towering cliffs grow closer together, you’ll discover even more sulphur spring pools scattered along the riverbanks. Each of these natural pools is said to hold therapeutic properties, traditionally believed to support healing and the health of various body organs.
Meals Included: B, L, D
Day 07: Visit Gjirokastra, transfer to Tirana
Today you will be visiting Gjirokastra, the City of Stone, so-called because of the old houses have roofs covered with flat dressed stones. The city gained the status of “Museum town” and it is a proud UNESCO world Heritage site. Visit the medieval bazaar and the Ottoman-style houses in the old part of the town, where you will see artisan women making handmade doilies, carving wood or silver and other guild shops in the narrow-cobbled stone streets of this suburb. You will also visit the Skenduli House, that it was built around the year 1700 and has many fascinating features as best model of the local architecture in 19th century. Continue to Gjirokastra’s castle which is located on the hilltop and overlooking the city and is one of the biggest in the Balkans. A monument to nearly two thousand years of Albanian history, this castle is one of the most visited places in Albania as for centuries this castle has been witnessed to the long and ruthless journey of Albanian people’s struggle for independence. Optional: depending on the time, visit to the Ismail Kadare House that is the newest attraction on the town.
Meals Included: B
Day 08: Departure Day
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a final stroll through the streets of Tirana before making your onward journey.
Meals Included: B
What is included?
- GPS files and route notes
- Mobile app for offline trail navigation
- Transfers: Tirana/Tirana Airport – Peshtan; Permet – Sopot – Benjat – Gjirokaster; Gjirokaster – Tirana;
- Accommodation: 7 nights in the hotels and guesthouses. In the guesthouses the rooms are shared!
- Meals: 1st day dinner, 2nd to 5th day three meals, 6th breakfast and lunch packet; 7th and 8th day breakfast;
- Luggage transfer from Peshtan to Permet, for the things you won’t need during the hike
What isn't included?
- Any beverage
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Luggage transfer (can be arranged on demand)
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Simply fill out the form, and I will be in touch with the full details and next steps. If you’d like to talk things through or ask any questions, a call can easily be arranged at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the on ground supplier for this trek?
We have partnered with Balkan Natural Adventure to provide all of our treks across the Balkans. Based in Peja, Kosovo, with a focus on authentic, small-group adventures led by experienced local guides who know the terrain, seasons, and communities of the Western Balkans. They have achieved partner level in Travelife Sustainability Certification, recognised for their long-term efforts regarding sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Where does the 20% profit donation from this trip go?
The rivers in the Balkans are amongst the most valuable and intact rivers in Europe. As such, they are THE hotspot for the continent’s freshwater biodiversity. These rivers are severely threatened by over 3,400 planned dams, which would irreversibly devastate the last sanctuary for endangered and endemic river species.With the help of local activists, lawyers, scientists, artists and local communities, Save the Blue Heart of Europe aim to prevent this dam tsunami and save this natural European heritage from destruction. The Vjosa River is Europe’s ‘last wild river’. During the Zagoria Valley Trek, we will be following this river for some sections, so you can see the positive impact firsthand. 20% of the profit made from each trip to The Balkans will be sent directly to their charity, to help fund the incredible work they do.
What fitness/experience level do I need to complete this trek?
You should be able to walk comfortably for up to 17km a day on uneven, hilly terrain. Some days have significant elevation gains and losses, up to 1,235m per day. It is recommended to train walking uphill (use a stair master if you don’t live in a hilly area) to put yourself in the best position possible.
