Backroads of Albania: Korçë to Përmet (SH75) 🇦🇱

[@DaV-ly1pj]

Hey James, thanks for the inspiration! Drove this way at the end of Sep '23. A lot has changed. Good thing: there is a brand new road (direction from Permet to Korce) already up until about 2 km before Gozhdarazhde. Exact GPS location: 40.2479850N, 20.6306133E More challenging: there is basically a construction site for the next 15 km, purely gravel, big stones, no asphalt. 5km/h average speed in a small hatchback, better with 4x4. Felt like the wheels could fall off any minute. For anyone choosing this road, bear in mind this is currently a difficult one, until the constructions are finished.

[@JamesLeithart]

Thanks for the update! I’ll pin this comment on the video until a future update, so hopefully people notice it.

[@gennarosposato2339]

I am planning a trip this summer that includes that area. Where is the construction site? Before or after Gozhdarazhde coming from Korce. I am planning to drive from Korce to Gjirokaster. How much do you think does the tripe take? 4/5 hours?

[@DaV-ly1pj]

​@@gennarosposato2339Coming from Korce, the road was fine up until around Borove. Then the 15 km part of road under construction began, and ended at the GPS location mentioned above, after Gozhdarzhde. I believe the reconstruction works progress quickly and it may be that the part is already finished. But it may also be that they moved and now another part of the road could be under construction. It could have taken about 5-6 hours in a small Fiesta from Korce to Gjirokaster. But still worth it, the sceneries are breathtaking!

[@matthewbrown4575]

I'm about to go on a road trip in Albania in a few weeks from now ..that looks like an epic road trip you just did .thanks for the vid

[@JamesLeithart]

it’s a fun country to road trip in!

[@darylhogbin4966]

Hi James...I drove this route from Korce to Gjirokaster at the end of April and this one of the highlights of my two-week road trip through Albania. I also had an incredible experience at this small fish grill on the beach at Pogradec. It was a chilly day and i had a table right by a wood burning stove eating fish and drinking beer and raki while the owner had Albanian hip-hop videos on the television. Falemenderit for the video. It captures the experience beautifully and I can't wait to go back and explore more of Albania!

[@JamesLeithart]

haha i think i might know the exact place you’re talking about!

[@craigzievis2074]

Beautiful drive. My trip from Gjirokastër to Korçë was partly on that road and I remember it as one of the most beautiful drives of my life!

[@albusha5150]

Wow, another great video James. Your love and appreciation of my country's natural beauty deserves full respect of every Albanian. Can't wait to see your video of Saranda. Can't imagine you're not going to get a splash in those turquoise waters! Miss them.

[@JamesLeithart]

thanks for the comment! much appreciated

[@2249Luca]

did this route last month and loved it. Thanks for letting me enjoy it again ! If you are heading north of Permet … there is an awesome agriturismo farm-stay near Ballaban called Ferma Grand Albanik … wonderful mix of people and great food !

[@JamesLeithart]

i’ll check it out sometime!

[@davidwrathall3776]

Wow, just watched this on my big screen TV. Omg, no comparison. Albania simply HAS to be watched this way! Drone shots, road, 1st person and music perfectly put together. Thanks James! ❤️

[@TURUTFILM]

Great! I waas already in the planning for this route when I found your video!

[@JamesLeithart]

@@TURUTFILM this video is pretty old! the road is even better now

[@roberthenry262]

Truly one of the best drives we’ve ever done. Thanks for capturing it better than we did so we can just share this video with our friends instead of our pics 😅

[@JamesLeithart]

just doing my service to the community 😂

[@zjarr6279]

7:46, the Nemercka mountain, 2nd most glaciated mountain range in Albania. There are actually 2 small active mountain glaciers in that mountain range, completely unnoticed by Albanian "geologists". The southern most glaciers in Europe, unknown and unrecognized, welcome to Albania.

[@JamesLeithart]

that’s so interesting! i had no idea

[@zjarr6279]

@@JamesLeithart The main glacier is located on the valley you didn't show, "Gryka e Kazanit" as it is marked in maps. It's a giant glacial amphitheater, formed during the ice age(s). On the left side there is a small glacier, elevation 5,000 feet. It should not exists that low but it has a gigantic avalanche snow set up.

[@marafarnham595]

Beautiful sights James 😀 thank you! 😊❤

[@JamesLeithart]

thanks mara ☺️

[@theroadreel7085]

Your video was just on time, I was doing research whether or not I could drive a small rental card on this specific road, looks like it is totally possible. Thank you!

[@wowa4400]

Does it work out?

[@GabrielShirey]

Such a beautiful drive, id definitely take that road! It's even freshly being worked on, new asphalt is low key magical love how smooth it feels!

[@JamesLeithart]

it was wonderful. especially after the first part of the drive

[@rbjk]

The drone shots following the van are incredible especially considering the amount of coordination it requires.

[@JamesLeithart]

trust me… it’s not easy (or safe, probably)

[@craigzievis2074]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@azukay4663]

Great video as always.

[@calxtra5361]

Stunning scenery thank u for the ride!

[@reneechumbler1115]

Thanks for this video, James. It gives a good glimpse of the driving conditions. Driving in Tirana is a subject for a future segment. Lol!

[@altintahiri]

Planin to drive from Ksamil to Korca ,and wasn’t sure if is possible Thanks for sharing James

[@steliokorda6712]

bro! there are no words rly for me to express myself after this! well! my mother is from carshove and my grandmother was from leskovik and my aunt used to live and ersek and this trip u just showed us is exactly the trip id make in order to go to those places + at permet i ve been countless times! 1st time i drove a car at distance was on the road carshove - permet about 18 years ago the years matter cuz then it wasnt bad road with patches of dirt but it was bad road with some patches of concrete :D ! thx man! u brought to me so many good memories!

[@JamesLeithart]

that’s so cool! and some of my favorite kinds of comments to get. i love being able to show people parts of their country and help them relive memories

[@scottybones4368]

Nice video! I'll be driving that route in a few weeks.

[@JamesLeithart]

good choice!

[@MrRevenger]

I have seen almost all albania couse i am from albania it is a beautiful isint it.

[@Richardtola1]

I love your videos james did you by any chance pass through erseke that’s my city I was born there keep it up bro love your videos

[@JamesLeithart]

haha yes i did. i mentioned it in the video even! it’s a pretty interesting little town

[@Richardtola1]

@@JamesLeithart o yeah Sorry I didn’t notice every summer I was going there and one time in winter when the temperature was -19 degrees

[@gbnyc1798]

James how long did this drive take you? Google maps says about 5 hours Sarande - Korce, wondering how accurate that is

[@JamesLeithart]

Hm, i would not think that's quite accurate due to how windy the road is. I usually take about 5.5-6 from Korce to Gjirokaster. So you'd have to add a bit more to get to Sarande...

[@gbnyc1798]

@@JamesLeithart thanks James

[@gertituzi4659]

What’s the learning curve for US drivers there ? I’m always too scared to rent there (no home field advantage for having been born there I think). Is there road side service typically?

[@JamesLeithart]

it’s really not bad! outside tirana, the traffic is usually fine. drivers can often be a bit wild and there’s frequently a “me first” mentality, but as long as you’re careful, pay attention, and don’t get distracted you’d be just fine.

[@songsabai3794]

Do you have an International D.L or have scored an Albanian D.L?

[@JamesLeithart]

I use my DL from the US. it was just fine here

[@JohnSmith-kn3fu]

James, have you got the Albanian citizenship yet?

[@JamesLeithart]

haha no definitely not

[@valley6824]

Lol I live in Përmet. I swear if I see you here.,.... 😂

[@JamesLeithart]

hahaha well i’m gone now so…

[@valley6824]

@@JamesLeithart too bad I left too because of work. Maybe I will meet someday.

[@heripirpondi2129]

Roads Korce Permet is the most beautiful road in Albania