Walking the High Scardus Trail (Self-guided)
Walking the High Scardus Trail (Self-guided)
Walking the High Scardus Trail (Self-guided)
8 Days Starting in Tirana and ending in Tirana, Albania
Visiting: Kukës, Tirana, Grykë-Çajë, Radomirë, Mount Korab, Lake Gramë, Rabdisht
Tour operator:
Tour code:
712
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Our itinerary follows the Albanian trail segment along the remotest region of the Eastern Highlands. You will follow the trek through the remote border region, staying overnight with local families and shepherds and experiencing authentic Balkan hospitality. Discover Albania's highest mountain range, climb mighty Mount Korab (2764 m) - both Albania's and North Macedonia's highest peak, and enjoy breathtaking views, all at your own pace
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Albania/Kukes
Location: Kukës, Tirana
Accommodation Name: Overnight at a pension in Kukes or Shishtavec (Oda Kuksit or similar)
We meet at the airport or in Tirana for a tour walk-through and to hand over your self-guiding materials – a road book, maps, phone, and GPS device. ou are transferred to Kukes (2h 30mins), a small town in north-eastern Albania, overlooking the confluence of Kosovo’s White and North Macedonia’s Black Drin Rivers. Following the Kosovo conflict in 1999, the town was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for welcoming and sheltering 450,000 Kosovar refugees fleeing the war. The views of Mount Gjallica (2,489m) are a foretaste of what is to come.
Day 2 : From Kukes To Caje | 15Km
Location: Kukës, Grykë-Çajë
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Overnight in Caje (homestay – Ardian Musai or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Starting from Kukes, a 45mins transfer takes you through Vanave Gorge into the Gora (highlands). Today’s hike starts near the Gorani village of Shishtavec, from where a gradual ascent takes you to the rocky outcrop of Mount. Kallabak (2,174m) with your first glimpse of the Sharr Massif. Continue along a ridge traversing elevated meadows, crisscrossing the border between Albania and Kosovo, with sightings of Mount Korab (2,764m). Descending into the valley, you reach Caje, possibly Albania’s highest year-round inhabited settlement where you are welcomed into a wonderful homestay.
Walking for the day: 15km, 6-7h, ↑725m ↓1000m
Day 3 : From Caje To Radomire | 17Km
Location: Radomirë, Grykë-Çajë
Accommodation Name: Overnight at a pension in Radomire (Bujtina Korabi or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today starts with a longer hike to the larger village of Radomire, traversing flower-filled meadows in season. With some luck, the endemic Albanian Lily or herds of semi-wild horses can be spotted. Continue along a ridge, again with Mount Korab in the distance horizon. Continue on through the biodiverse beauty of Korab-Koritnik Nature Park bringing your day to a close in Radomire village, where you spend the next two nights.
Walking for the day: 17km, 8h, ↑1000m ↓1075m
Day 4 : Climbing Mount Korab | 17Km
Location: Mount Korab, Radomirë
Accommodation Name: Overnight at a pension in Radomire (Bujtina Korabi or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early start today in order to climb Mount Korab (2,764m), the highest peak in both Albania and North Macedonia. It is a long and demanding day but with no technical climbing, passing shepherd huts, and negotiating both rocky stretches and soft alpine meadows. Reaching the saddle at the border with North Macedonia, the path circles the peak and approaches it from the rear, offering another perspective of the rocky giant. Enjoy your picnic and the breathtaking, wide-ranging views from Albania and North Macedonia’s rooftop. The descent follows a slightly different route back to Radomire.
Please note: the ascent of Mount Korab is optional, you may complete a shorter circuit or only part of the summit return hike – alternatively, spend the day at leisure around the village.
Walking for the day: 17km, 8.5h, ↑1475m ↓1475m
Day 5 : From Radomire To Highlands | 16Km
Location: Radomirë
Accommodation Name: Overnight in wooden shepherds’ hut (Korabi mountain camping or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you head back into the highlands following an old military patrol route along the border, where you spot the brezi i bute, a stretch of sand created to detect footsteps. Sadly, these peaceful surroundings hold a gloomy past when surveillance could have severe consequences. From today’s highest point, you overlook the vast plain of the glacial-shaped valley where thousands of sheep roaming free. Tonight, the shepherds of the Kaloshi clan welcome you into their modest wooden huts on the Ladies Pasture at 1,770m. There is no phone signal, electricity or shower, but you will be given a warm welcome. You may even have an opportunity to milk a sheep.
Walking for the day: 16km, 7h, ↑1025m ↓575m
Day 6 : Crossing Grama Pass To Rabdisht | 15Km
Location: Lake Gramë, Rabdisht
Accommodation Name: Overnight at a guesthouse in Rabdisht (Sabri Shahini or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s walk takes you along a mule path towards Grama Pass (2,300m) with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Looking behind, views of Mount Korab and Grama Lake leave you appreciating the long way you have come. Take a zig-zagging descent down an old border patrol path all the way to Rabdisht village, where another wonderful guesthouse awaits.
Walking for the day: 15km, 8h, ↑800m ↓1550m
Day 7 : From Rabdisht To Tirana | 12Km
Location: Rabdisht, Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Villa 60 or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s hike through the picturesque villages of Dibra smooths the transition from alpine heights to the city’s fast-paced life. Visiting Zagrad, Cerjan and Bellove you have time to take in the region’s traditional stone houses and meet local people. A transfer takes you from Bellove via Peshkopi to Tirana in the early afternoon. Spend the evening strolling around the capital, followed by a final dinner.
Walking for the day: 12km, 5h, ↑700m ↓750m
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Tirana
Meals Included: Breakfast
Time permitting, Tirana invites you to explore its streets and sights on a stroll. Sip an espresso in one of the charming bars, observe the busy morning flow and select special treats as edible souvenirs at the lively New Bazaar. If interested to learn more about the communist past, Bunkart 2 and The House of Leaves provide insights and are only a 5mins walk away from Tirana’s central Skanderbeg Square. Your walking holiday in Albania ends with a 40mins transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 overnights as indicated in the itinerary in hotels, pensions, guesthouses, one homestay, and one overnight in a wooden shepherd’s hut
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Meals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
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Transfers as indicated in the itinerary, including complimentary airport pick-up and drop off
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Arrival briefing
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Luggage transfers: one piece up to 15kg in soft bags only (limited by luggage transport on horse, take a duffle or rucksack, hard cases are not suitable)
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Detailed route notes, maps (1 x per room) and GPS device with preloaded tracks, SIM-Card
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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Airfare and connecting land transfers other than Tirana
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Meals not listed in the itinerary as well as drinks
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Personal expenses
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Any other items not explicitly listed as included
Check out our Q&As
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When to go?
This trip is available from June to September.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. -
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Unfortunately this tour is NOT available for solo travellers. If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
The tour is suitable for very fit hikers with previous trekking experience. You should be confident in your physical condition and sure-footedness. Prepare to endure poor weather and to navigate rocky undefined routes, remoteness can also play a part. Walking days are usually between five and eight hours, although they can be longer to cross passes or peaks. Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1,000m, with the odd day ascending around 1,100m to 1,300m (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes, maps and GPS devise with preloaded tracks, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No they aren't
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No they aren't
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Are flights included in this tour?
No they aren't
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No they aren't
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.