Cycling in Albania Kosovo and Macedonia

Cycling in Albania Kosovo and Macedonia

This trip combines some of the best cycling routes in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. We begin our tour with a visit to the historical chief town of the medieval Albanians, Krujë. There we will have time even for some souvenir shopping in the old bazzaar, one of the best in Albania. We will cycle through the impressive landscape of Puka and smell the fresh air and the aroma of the pine trees. We cycle to Valbona valley and admire the rugged shapes of Nothern Albanian Alps over 2500 m above sea level. We will enjoy a walk through the old bazaar in Gjakova and taste the delicious local coffe. In Tetovo, Macedonia we will visit the colored Mosque and continue to Ohrid. Ohrid is a UNESCO city since 1979. We cycle back to Albania to visit Berat, the town of Thousand Windows part of UNESCO since 2008. During the final part of the tour we return to Tirana to visit the bustling streets and experience the coffee culture of this modern city.

Highlights:
• Visit the UNESCO cities of Berat and Ohrid
• Cycle through the impressive landscape of Northern Albania
• Experience the local life in Gjakova and Tetovo
• Taste the diverse local cuisine

Description

Day 1. Zogu Bridge – Krujë – Rubik (25 km cycling)

After you arrive in Albania, you will be transferred to Kruja, where you will visit the castle and Scanderbeg museum.

 Day 2. Rubik -Shpal – Gjegjan – Fushe-Arrez – Qafe Mali – Dardhe (about 80 km)

We drive on the secondary road of Rubik – Shpal – Gjegjan – Fushe-Arrez. In Fushe Arrez we will have lunch. From Fushe-Arrez to Qafe Mali – Dardhe the road is mostly rocky terrain.

 Day 3. Dardhe – Fierzë – Bajram Curri – Dragobi – Valbone (about 75 km)

Cycling continues on roads, which were used before the construction of Fierza Power Plant. We make a break for lunch in Bajram Curri. Bajram Curri is a small city situated on the foot of Shkelzen mountain. 

 Day 4. Valbonë –Bajram Curri – Pac – Helshan – Qafë Prush – Gjakovë (about 100 km)

Today we cycle from Valbona valley to Qafe Luzhe – Pac – Helshan – Qafe Prush – Gjakovë. In Gjakovë, we will have a walk through its old bazaar, one of the longest in the Balkan, a beautiful testimony of Ottoman Architecture and visit Hadumi’s Mosque.

 Day 5. Gjakovë – Prizren – Brezovice – Jazhince – Tetove (about 80 km)

We drive toward Prizren, with some short breaks during the road to visit interesting places. From Prizren we continue through highland roads following this trail: Prevalle – Brezovice – Jazhince (pkk) – Tetove (Mac). 

 Day 6. Tetove – Gostivar – Mavrove – Diber e Madhe (85 km)

We cycle today through secondary roads from Tetovo to Gostivar -Mavrove – Diber e Madhe (Mac). Lunch will be organized in Mavrovo. 

 Day 7. Dibra e Madhe – Strugë – Ohrid (70 km)

We drive toward Struga along the banks of Black Drini River. In Struga we will visit the city and have lunch. We resume cycling afterwards to reach the city of Ohrid in the afternoon. 

 Day 8. Ohrid- Elbasan – Dumre – Berat ( 150 km)

From Ohrid we cycle toward the border of Qafë Thanë between Albania – Macedonia to enter Albania. We continue cycling along Shkumbini river toward the city of Elbasan. 

 Day 9. Berat – Kuçovë – Lushnje – Durrës – Tiranë (140 Km)

Today we cycle toward Kucova airbase. There we can see the old military airplane, which are a relic of the cold war. 

 Day 10. Tirana – Mother Theresa Airport

Before the departure we will have a walking tour of Tirana. The group departs from Mother Theresa Airport.