Last summer, I went on a scouting trip to Albania before venturing into North Macedonia to start my popular photography tour. The first part of the trip took me to the mountains in the northern part of the country. The Albanian Alps are locally called “BjeshkĂ«t e Namuna,” which translates to “The Accursed Mountains” in English. In Montenegrin and Serbian, they are called “Prokletije,” which carries the same meaning.
I was most interested in the Theth area, a remote and unspoiled valley near the Montenegrin border. The road from Montenegro to Theth is newly paved, and I was surprised by the amount of traffic! August seems to be a busy season, and upon finally arriving in Theth, I was shocked by how crowded it was. It seems the Albanian Alps are no longer the hidden, unexplored part of Europe!
After the initial shock, I explored Theth village. A lunch at a local restaurant lifted my spirits, and I spent the rest of the day in the rocky canyon of Zi Stream near Ndërlysaj Bridge. I camped overnight near the Theth River, in a beautiful spot surrounded by water and mountains.
Mountain Road from Theth to Shkodër
The next morning, I decided to leave busy Theth and travel south via the gravel road. This is a demanding mountain route, best suited for proper off-road vehicles. However, it is also incredibly scenic, offering breathtaking mountain views while winding along rivers, small villages, and scattered farmhouses.
Along the way, I even took a swim in the incredible ShalĂ« River—definitely one of the day’s many highlights!
Meeting Prek and Katrin
While driving south and descending into the Kir River Valley, I stopped at a local refreshment stand. It was a simple, improvised wooden structure, and I felt obliged to make a small purchase to support the locals. That’s how I met Prek and Katrin—the owners of this little enterprise. They were happy to see me stop and welcomed me warmly.
A genuine invitation to their modest home turned into an hour-long visit filled with laughter, rakija, coffee, dressing up in traditional Albanian costumes, and a heartfelt gift exchange. They spoke no English, and I spoke no Albanian—yet, somehow, we understood each other perfectly.
I continued my drive in Albanian Alps toward the Kir River, searching for a nice spot to camp overnight. Eventually, I found the perfect place right by the river, built a fire, and enjoyed a peaceful evening before climbing into my rooftop tent for the night.
Meeting Justina and Lulash
The next morning, I was awakened by the rumble of construction machinery. A large digger roared down the path to the river, bypassing my campsite. The workers didn’t seem to mind my presence, but the noise was distracting enough that I decided to pack up and continue my drive toward Central Albania.
In Prekal, I spotted an elderly couple working in a cornfield. The scene was beautiful, and the morning light was still warm and soft—perfect for photography. That was reason enough for me to stop and take out my camera.
After snapping a few shots from a distance, I noticed they didn’t seem to mind my presence. Encouraged, I moved closer, observing them at work while capturing more images. Hard work! We exchanged smiles and a few words, introducing ourselves to each other.
Later, to my surprise, I ran into them again at a local restaurant, where I stopped for breakfast.
Traveling through Albanian Alps – Conclusion
The Albanian Alps are definitely on the tourist radar now! Next time I visit, it will either be in spring, when the waterfalls are at their peak and wildflowers are abundant, or in autumn, to capture the stunning colors of nature. Summer is still a great time to visit, especially for hiking—just don’t expect untouched wilderness anymore!
My scouting trip to Albania gave me a deeper understanding of the country and helped me refine my plans for a photography tour. If you’re interested in traveling with me, feel free to drop me an email and check my workshops website for updates!
Also, don’t forget to check out my other posts from Albania and the Balkans—there are plenty of fascinating stories I’m sharing here.
Thank you for reading!