Cycle the Backroads of Albania
Pedal through epic landscapes, from the serene shores of Lake Ohrid to the beaches of the Albanian Riviera via rugged mountain passes
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, expert, English-speaking guides and a bike mechanicAccommodation
7 nights in hotels and 1 night in a cabinMeals
All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinnersTransfers & Support Vehicle
Airport transfers and everything in between, including a support vehicle to carry your kit or hop into if your legs need a restEquipment
Hardtail Ghost Square Base bikeSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Explore the quiet backroads and rolling hills of rural Albania on two wheels, pedalling past horse-drawn carts and villages rich in tradition
Climb the epic Llogora Pass, basking in the panoramic views from the top before zipping down the thrilling descent
Soak tired legs in Benje’s hot springs and dive into the turquoise waters of Ionian Sea for cool dips as you go
Savour farm-to-table dishes in Sotire and cap off your adventure with a seafood feast as the sun sets over the sparkling Adriatic
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Albania
Arrive in Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania, and head to your hotel in the city centre. If your flight allows, take the opportunity to explore some of the city’s highlights – you could visit the Old Bazaar, wander through the trendy Bllok District, or marvel at Skanderbeg Square. In the evening, meet your guide and fellow adventurers for an introduction to the journey ahead.
Day 2
Along the shores of Lake Ohrid
Cycling
This morning starts with a scenic two-hour transfer through the Shkumbin Valley to the northern shore of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful lakes. After getting fitted for your bike, begin the warm-up ride, descending towards the tranquil lake and following the shoreline to the village of Tushemisht. The route is mostly flat, with some gentle inclines as you approach the village. In the afternoon, cycle over to North Macedonia to visit the UNESCO-listed Saint Naum Monastery; on your return, you can take a refreshing dip in the lake.
Day 3
Up the plateau to Korça
Cycling
Today, you’ll cycle through fertile agricultural fields and rural landscapes on your way to Korça. The ride takes you along the shore of Lake Ohrid before gradually climbing towards your first mountain pass and up to the highland plateau. As you ride into the town, you’ll make a stop at the Morava Bee Farm to sample some of the finest honey in the region. Upon reaching Korça, you’ll have time to explore the town, known for its friendly feel and historic buildings. For those up for trying local flavours, a visit to the Korça Beer Brewery is a great option to enjoy a refreshing pint of this traditional brew.
Day 4
The Kolonja highlands
Cycling
Today will be your biggest day yet, with plenty of hills to climb along the border between Albania and Greece as you cycle into the heart of the Gramos Mountains. Leave the Korça plateau and climb to Bramash Pass, pedalling through the Kolonja Highlands, where the Gramos Mountains rise majestically in the distance. Enjoy jaw-dropping panoramic views and a tasty lunch in Erseke before descending to the rural village of Sotire, your final destination for today, which offers an authentic Albanian experience. Here, you'll unwind with a hearty farm-to-table dinner and enjoy the star-filled skies at this mountain escape. There will be plenty of climbing today – but everyone can ride at their own pace, take breaks as needed, and there's always the option to hop in the support vehicle if you need to rest your legs.
Day 5
Alpine descent to Benja's thermal waters
Cycling
What goes up must come down! After all the hard work yesterday, enjoy an exhilarating descent toward Leskovik. Cycle through the Vjosa River Gorge, one of Albania’s most spectacular natural wonders, taking in some of the most breathtaking views of the entire trip. Continue rolling along the mountain road above the river to the village of Benja, known for its thermal springs – the perfect spot for a relaxing soak in its mineral-rich waters. A 1.5-hour transfer will take you the final leg of today's journey to Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage city famed for its well-preserved Ottoman-era architecture. Take some time to explore the cobbled streets of the old town, with a peek inside a traditional Ottoman house, before finding a cosy restaurant for dinner.
Day 6
To the Ionian Sea and Butrint
Cycling
After breakfast, an hour's drive will take you to top of Muzina Pass, where the cycling begins with an exciting descent toward Sarandë on the Ionian Coast, the gateway to southern Albania. This route features a mix of steep climbs and exhilarating descents, offering views of the picturesque Albanian Riviera. You’ll pass the famous Blue Eye, a natural spring with vivid turquoise waters, before a short ferry ride takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint. After a guided tour of this archaeological treasure, the final stretch today offers spectacular views of the Ionian Sea, with the island of Corfu visible in the distance. Take advantage of your first night on the coast with a refreshing dip on arrival in Sarandë!
Day 7
Exploring the rugged Albanian Riviera
Cycling
Today you'll cycle along the stunning Albanian Riviera, passing coastal mountains, deep bays, and dramatic headlands. The route weaves through olive groves and citrus orchards, followed by a scenic climb toward Porto Palermo, pausing at the historic Ali Pasha Castle. Descending towards Himare, the coastline then opens up, revealing panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and dramatic coastal cliffs. Arriving in the lovely seaside town of Himare, the beach will be calling! As the sun sets, take a leisurely walk through Himare’s Old Town, perched above the coast, and soak in the panoramic views over dinner.
Day 8
Take on the Llogara Pass
Cycling
Your final cycling day begins with a rewarding challenge: a steady ascent to the iconic Llogara Pass, which sits at an elevation of 1000m. The climb is tough, but offers unbeatable views of the Ionian coastline and surrounding mountains. After taking in the views at the top, you’ll have a thrilling descent through the serene Llogara National Park. The landscape gradually opens to reveal the azure waters of the Adriatic as you make your way along the coastal road. Today is a long climb, but everyone can tackle it at their own pace, take breaks as needed, and there's the option to jump in the support vehicle if you need to. Your Albania cycling adventure concludes in Radhimë, where you can spend the afternoon unwinding by the beach before celebrating your week of epic rides with a team dinner by the sea.
Day 9
Farewell Albania!
Driving
After a final sea swim and breakfast, jump into the van for the 3-hour drive back to Tirana for your onward journey. Choose to head directly to the airport, or perhaps extend your stay to explore Albania’s vibrant capital.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Tirana International Airport (TIA)
19:30 on Day 1
Ends
Tirana International Airport (TIA) or city centre
13:00 on Day 9
Transfers
On Day 1 there will be a group transfer provided from Tirana Airport to your city centre hotel at 19:30. Your guide will welcome the group at the hotel at 20:30.
For those arriving early, getting to the city from the airport can easily be arranged locally and independently by shuttle bus – the Rinas Express. Tickets cost around 400 Albanian Lek (Euros are also accepted) and you can simply get on the bus and buy your ticket. The journey takes 30 minutes and departs from the airport every hour, on the hour. The drop-off point is Skanderbeg Square, Tirana's central square, which is around a 10-15 minute walk away from your hotel.
On Day 9, you'll be dropped off at Tirana Airport by 13:00 in time to catch any flight leaving after 15:00. If you are extending your trip and wish to be dropped off in Tirana city centre instead of the airport, this will be possible (free of charge). Once you have booked your flights, please provide your host with this information, so they can plan logistics.
If you are arriving or departing outside these days, your host can arrange private airport transfers for an extra cost. See Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Tirana from major airports across the UK and Europe.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5 – Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 9
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Albanian cuisine is a tasty mix of Mediterranean and Balkan influences. For breakfast, enjoy fresh eggs, bread, jam, honey, and coffee. Lunches will be taken at local restaurants along the cycling route, normally consisting of soup and salads. The two dinners included in the trip price will be memorable ones: a home-cooked farm-to-fork experience, where you'll likely enjoy fresh, seasonal produce, homemade cheeses, and slow cooked stews; plus a farewell dinner on the coast with abundant of seafood options, caught daily from the crystal-clear waters of the Ionian and Adriatic seas. For the dinners not included, options will often feature goat or lamb, complemented by meze-style vegetables, salads, homemade cheeses, freshly baked bread, and local wines. Don’t forget to sample the raki – Albania’s national spirit!
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form. Please be aware that options for vegans will be limited.
What is the accommodation like?
Tirana
You'll spend the first night of the trip in comfortable and centrally located accommodation in Tirana (usually the Hotel Vila 60, Art Hotel Tirana or Hotel Boka) in an ensuite twin-share room. If you would like to book some extra nights and wish to know where you'll be staying on your departure, please contact your host to find out.
On the road
Throughout the trip you'll stay in small, locally owned guesthouses and hotels in ensuite, twin-share rooms. These are clean, comfortable and are usually family-run, so they often come with their own cuisine and stories. Due to the style of the accommodation, the rooms may differ in size: these will be allocated as fairly as possible. You'll usually stay in the Hotel Millennium in Tushemisht, Vila Mano in Korca and Hotel Gjirokastra in Gjirokastra.
Sotire
On Day 4, you’ll experience a unique farm stay in Sotire, deep in Germenj-Shelegur National Park. Camping Farm Shelegur is an agroturismo that offers home-cooked meals from the farm, and a simple but welcoming atmosphere. You will sleep in basic, small, two-room wooden cabins (one single room and one with twin beds), with shared bathrooms. Please note that some rooms might be tight with little space around the beds.
Albanian Riviera
On Albania's stunning coast, you'll stay in hotels with ensuite balcony rooms on a twin-share basis. Restaurants and bars are within walking distance from the properties. Bedrooms at these properties are all of a similar standard; however, some benefit from a sea view as opposed to a mountain view, and these will be allocated as fairly as possible. You'll usually stay at the Hotel Iliria in Sarande, Hotel Dhima in Himare and Coral Hotel in Radhime.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability). Due to the nature of the accommodation on Day 4 it is not possible to have a private room this night.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
This trip is designed for experienced cyclists with a sense of adventure. You should feel comfortable cycling 65km or more per day on paved, mostly quiet, undulating roads. Most days will be easygoing on surfaced backroads, with only the odd very short section on gravel track. However, do expect some long and gradual climbs with occasional steep sections and winding descents. There is always the option to hop in the support vehicle, if necessary.
Crossing the Llogara Pass can be tough – with over 1500m of climbing and multiple switchbacks, this is a demanding ascent. It is a fantastic challenge for those that want it and for those not keen on the day you can jump into the support vehicle for a lift to the top or bottom.
Albania has a temperate, Mediterranean climate. The best time to cycle is in spring (from April to the end of May), or in autumn (between September and November) when temperatures are milder, reaching daytime highs of 22-26°C. The mountainous regions of Gramoz and Llogara National Park tend to feel 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.
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
Itinerary Activities
- Guided warm-up ride along Lake Orchid
- Guided ride up the Plloce Pass to Korça
- Honey tasting at Morava Bee Farm
- Guided ride in the Kolonja Highlands to Sotire
- Guided ride along the Vjosa River valley to Benja
- Bathe in Benja’s warm springs
- Tour of an Ottoman mansion in Gjirokaster
- Guided ride descending from Muzina Pass to Sarande
- Guided tour of the Butrint UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Guided ride along the Ionian coastline to Himare
- Guided sunset walk through Himare’s Old Town
- Guided ride crossing the Llogara Pass
Guides
- Local, expert, English-speaking cycle guides and a bike mechanic
Accommodation
- 1 night in a centrally located hotel in Tirana
- 3 nights in locally-owned guesthouses and hotels along the route
- 1 night in cabin on a farmstay deep in the Germenj-Shelegur National Park
- 3 nights in hotels by the sea on the Albanian Riviera
Meals
- All (8) breakfasts, to fuel you up each day
- All (7) local lunches in restaurants, usually soups and salads
- 1 home-cooked Albanian farm dinner
- 1 farewell dinner by the seafront
- Snacks while cycling
Transfers
- Group arrival transfer from Tirana Airport on Day 1
- Group departure transfer to Tirana Airport on Day 9
- All transfers during the trip
Equipment
- Ghost Square Cross front suspension bike
Support Vehicle
- To hop in to if your legs need a rest
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Meals
Six dinners have not been included, to allow you to sample some local restaurants of your choosing in the small towns you stay at. We recommend you budget about £20/€25 per meal to cover these.
Tips
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.
Personal expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional food and drinks, shopping and laundry.
Travel insurance
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. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
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What do I need to bring?
CYCLE KIT
- Helmet (required)
- Cycling shoes (bring your own pedals if using cleats)
- Saddle, if you would rather use your own
- Bumbag for riding (optional; a single small pannier bag is provided if you'd like to use it)
- Reusable water bottle x2 (to fit in standard bike holders)
CLOTHES
- Padded cycling shorts
- Sports top or cycling jersey
- Waterproof jacket
- Cycling gloves
- Buff or neck scarf
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sandals
- Fleece jacket or similar for the evenings
- Trousers/leggings for the evenings
- Trainers/sandals
- Swimwear
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or small torch
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
Single Room in Tirana from
Payable Before Departure
Single Room in Tirana from
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Twin Room in Tirana from
Payable Before Departure
Twin Room in Tirana from
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Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
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Tirana airport transfer - each way
Payable Before Departure
Tirana airport transfer - each way
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We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 379kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we’ve found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We also send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated!
All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the amazing landscape with your fellow tourers. You will cycle at your own pace, with regular stops to regroup so that no-one gets left behind. These trips are not just open to lycra-clad roadies, although those are welcome too!
You'll be riding Ghost Square Cross front suspension bike, with light aluminum frame, hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension. You'll need to let your host know your height, to ensure the correct frame size is supplied.
The bikes are equipped with two water bottle cages, a pannier rack and one small bag (using a pannier is optional). They all come with standard flat pedals and male/standard saddles. If you would rather pack your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), please do – and these will be fitted for you. Please note, pedal size should be 9/16 20 threads per inch and bike saddle rails should be 7mm in diameter with a standard of 44mm width.
On most days, yes. However, on two days there will be a transfer (driving durations are stated in the itinerary above) to get you between the cycling routes – this is to keep you away from unpleasantly busy roads and on the best cycle routes.
The guide-to-cyclist ratio on this trip is 1:8, meaning that for groups of nine or more people, there will be two cycle guides. Throughout, you will also be accompanied by a support vehicle, driven by a bike mechanic.
Your luggage is transferred from one point to the next by the support vehicle. You can choose whether you want to cycle with the included pannier, or a small bumbag to carry snacks and personal items (such as a phone or camera) for easy regular access. As everything will be transported by the support vehicle, which will accessible to throughout the day, you can cycle completely unburdened if you wish to.
In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned rides on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an alternative route or activity will be offered.
The support vehicle will have large containers of water that you are able to top your water bottles up with. Most hotels will also provide safe drinking water, so ensure you bring your refillable bottle – it should not be necessary to buy single-use water bottles.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
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.
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