Cycle Albania

Kickstart your Albanian adventure as you land at Tirana International Airport. From here, we'll embark on a group journey to our hotel in Pogradec, nestled on the shores of the stunning Lake Ohrid. The travel time is approximately three and a half hours, including a lunch break. If you arrive earlier, feel free to exchange some currency and relax at the airport restaurant.

Day two begins with a scenic bike ride from Lake Ohrid, offering panoramic views of the lake's blue waters and surrounding mountains. We'll cycle through vast fields and small farms towards the city of Korça. After a day of pedaling approximately 50 kilometers, we'll check into our hotel in Korça.

On day three, we'll leave the agricultural plateau of Korça behind and cycle into the border mountains. The route takes us through a landscape of barren rock dotted with wildflowers, into the heart of the Gramos Mountains. Our destination for the day is the tranquil valley of Germenj, where we'll spend the night in wooden bungalows and enjoy a traditional home-cooked dinner.

Day four starts with a bike ride from Germenj to a high grassy plateau surrounded by towering peaks. We'll then descend through the River Vjosa's spectacular gorge to Leskovik and continue to Permet. From Permet, a short drive will take us to the historic town of Gjirokastër, a UNESCO Heritage site known for its stunning Ottoman architecture. After checking into our hotel, we'll explore the town's historic heart and its impressive Ottoman citadel.

After breakfast, we'll drive to the starting point of our cycling route, which begins with a downhill ride from Muzina Pass to the Blue Eye, the source of the Bistrica River. We'll then circle the lagoon of Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before continuing our ride to Saranda, where we'll spend the evening at the waterfront.

Day six promises a thrilling ride along the Albanian Riviera. We'll cycle through the villages of Piqeras and Lukova, enjoying the stunning mountain and sea views, before descending to the beach and bay of Qeparo. Here, we'll spend the night in the seaside village of Qeparo, with the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the beach.

On the penultimate day, we'll cycle north into the valley, climbing two steep cols and passing through woodlands and little gorges. We'll pass by the old fortress of Ali Pasha of Tepelena and the picturesque village of Dhermi before ascending to the Llogara Pass. From here, we'll descend into Llogara National Park and end our cycling adventure at Radhime on the coast. A two-hour drive will then take us to Berat, arguably the most beautiful town in Albania, where we'll arrive around 6pm.

On the final day of our tour, we'll depart from Berat and drive to Tirana International Airport, marking the end of our Albanian adventure. If you wish to explore more of Berat's enchanting city, we recommend booking an extra night's stay.