Cycle Albania
itinerary
7 days
ITINERARY
5 days
TREKKING
325+km
DISTANCE
Dates
2025
Discover Europe's Best Kept Secret On Two Wheels
This 7-day group cycle challenge commences in Lin on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Over the next 5 days of cycling, we will cycle from the Albanian Alps to the Riviera. This will be truly the most beautiful and scenic ride through this hugely undiscovered wonder of a location. On our final cycling day, we will also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, one of the country’s most important archaeological treasures. The challenge will culminate with a celebratory meal as a group to reflect on this incredible adventure.
Day 1 ARRIVE ALBANIA
- Hotel
- Lunch & Dinner
The group will meet at our hotel in Lin on the shores of Lake Ohrid and meet the team that will be with us for the next week. We will then enjoy a group briefing followed by an evening meal.
Day 2 Cycle Day 1 - KORÇA
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 400m
- 60+km
For our first cycling day, we start riding directly from our hotel heading south along the lake shore. As we rise there are some great views over the lake to the surrounding mountains. We continue past small farms on the vast plains and eventually arrive at Korça, known as the Paris of Albania. Here we can relax in our comfortable hotel.
Day 3 Cycle Day 2 - THE GRAMOS MOUNTIANS AND SOTIRE
- Lodge
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 1000m
- 75km
Today we climb steadily into the baren border mountains through cols and valleys into the heart of the Grammoz Mountains. We cycle over the Barmash Pass 1159M to Germenj lying in its own tranquil valley and its here that we stay the night. This evening we enjoy a traditional home cooked dinner and a glass or two of the local red wine.
Day 4 Cycle Day 3 - BËNJË & THE VJOSA GORGE
- Guesthouse
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 500m
- 50km
From Sotire we continue through forest surrounded by soaring peaks which leads us to the source of the River Vjosa. We descend now into the spectacular Vjosa gorge for a 17km descent to Çarshovë, a beautiful and scenic ride, and one of the great sections of our challenge. The ride continues high above the river to Përmet, famed for its cuisine and strong raki alcohol. Lunch will be in the village of Benje after which we continue cycling for another 4km to the thermal pools of Langarica and its canyon. A 16th century ancient ottoman bridge marks the spot and the end of our road. Plenty of opportunity for canyon swimming this afternoon.
Day 5 Cycle Day 4 - GJIROKASTER
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 400m
- 70km
This morning we make our way towards the sharp mountain peaks outlined in the distance as we cycle along the valley towards Këlcyrë. We follow the Drinos river valley as it opens out into a wide plain with the town of Gjirokastër above us. We now make our way up to our hotel in Gjirokastër which is known as the city of 1,000 steps, and is perhaps the most beautiful city in Albania.
Day 6 Cycle Day 5 - SARANDA
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 700m
- 70km
We begin our last cycling day with a brief transfer, starting our cycling at the top of Muzina pass. This is the gateway to southern Albania and our ride takes us to the Ionian coast, sandwiched between the high mountains and the sea. A short ride on a rustic ferry brings us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, one of the country’s most important archaeological treasures, where the influences of various ancient people are clearly visible. After a tour in Butrint, we make our way along the coast heading north with the island of Corfu just out to sea. The day and the challenge ends in the beautiful town of Saranda, where we are finally able to kick off our cycling shoes, feet up and enjoy a well earned beer. Tonight we will have celebrations to mark the end of an incredible challenge.
Day 7 - DEPART / LAND UK
- Breakfast
This morning after breakfast you will need to check out of the hotel at 10am and make your own way back to the airport depending on your return flight details.
