Hike the Coastal Trails of Albania

The hikes will be a combination of easier, medium-duration walks and slightly more challenging, but shorter treks. While previous hiking experience is not necessary, it is desirable. Overall good health and a reasonable level of fitness are more important so that you enjoy the experience to the fullest. Some trails could be loose underfoot and you'll have to be prepared for the occasional steep climb. You'll be hiking three to five hours each day, with average cumulative ascents and descents of 300m to 700m. The pace will be leisurely with many opportunities for cool dips at stunning beaches (sea and weather conditions permitting), as well as refreshment stops in charming local villages – the perfect way to really soak up the beauty of this part of Albania!

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

The little known Southern Coastal Trail stretches along 74 kilometres of Albania’s beautiful southern riviera (approx 4hrs south of Tirana), between the towns of Dhërmi almost all the way to Saranda. Although the area is mainly visited in summer with local and a few international tourists flocking to its dreamy beaches, the cultural heritage, panoramic trails and culinary traditions of this region can be best experienced along a spectacular multi-day trek from village to village and beach to beach. We've picked the best combination of routes for this trip, with incredibly varied scenery featuring rugged mountain peaks, spectacular coastal trails, secluded beaches, rocky shepherds' paths, terraced fields, olive groves and plenty of charming stone villages. Views of the seemingly endless blue sea contrasting with the backdrop of dramatic mountain ridges will accompany the trek throughout, and you'll have plenty of opportunities for refreshing swims in the Ionian Sea.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline:

• €20 per person

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Tap water in Albania is generally not safe to drink. You may find purified water in some of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. To avoid plastic waste where filtered water is not available, we suggest bringing water purification tablets (or an alternative purification system) for extra safety.

The best time to hike in this region is in spring from March to mid-June, or in autumn between September and November when temperatures are milder, reaching daytime highs of 22-26°C. Flowers are in full bloom in the spring, while the sea is warmer in the autumn. The mountainous region of the Llogara National Park is always cooler due to the higher altitude, with temperatures between 15-19 °C in spring and autumn and the possibility of stronger winds. While Albania enjoys a great amount of sunshine, rain can be expected at any time of the year so you should be prepared for all eventualities. Whilst villages and beaches are usually very busy in the months of July and August, exploring the region during spring and autumn will allow you to avoid the crowds and have the trails and villages almost to yourself – bliss!

We recommend checking out the country specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

Overall, weather conditions down by the coast should be pretty favourable in the months when this trip is scheduled to run, with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures ranging from 18 to 26°C on average. However, as always, Mother Nature is unpredictable so the best you can do is to be prepared for anything and come equipped with sunscreen, a hat and waterproofs. Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and may suggest alternative, safer routes or activities should the weather get particularly bad, or change the order and timings of the hikes. The Llogara National Park sits on alpine heights and forms a weather divide between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas; as such, the park is prone to rapid weather changes and cooler temperatures.

No. You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you by vehicle between each accommodation, and then a small daysack to carry personal items during each day of hiking.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.