Hiking from Valbona to Theth 🥾🇦🇱 BACKPACKING ALBANIA

BACKPACKING THE BALKANS 📍Valbonë National Park
In this episode, I completed arguably the best hike in all of Albania. Trekking one-way from Valbona to Theth. This adventure started out at The Wanderers Hostel in Skoder. I left my big bags there and packed a small adventure bag to last me a few days. Day 1 included a bus, ferry and another vehicle to get to the town of Valbonë where we stayed at Guesthouse Arben Selimaj. Then the next day, we embarked on the bike hike to Theth which took us exactly 6 hours covering over 15km and over 800m of elevation. In Theth we stayed at Guesthouse Dreni. And then the day after that, we made our way via bus back to Skoder and pick up the big bags from the hostel.
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ABOUT ME🙋🏻‍♀️
I'm Christianne, a solo traveller, vlogger and entrepeneur from Surrey, UK. I spend half my time exploring new places around the globe with my backpack, and the other half creating videos about my experiences, what I'm packing, solo travel advice, money budgeting tips and anything else in relation to my backpacking lifestyle.
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FAQ's
How do you afford to travel? - I now earn a full time living through creating these KZbin videos, affiliate links, selling digital products and my clothing line. I used to simply just work any temporary job I could find to save up to travel! I budget the money I earn meticulously to reach my savings goals using www.backpackingbananas.com/pr...
Is travelling solo safe? - I would argue the answer is almost always yes! As long as you use your common sense and you follow your own government's guidelines about travelling in that country. I have made several videos on backpacking safety on my channel.
Do you have plans to settle down? Yes, I'm currently saving to purchase my first property in the UK and I'd love to have children one day. I doubt I'll ever live a completely 'conventional' lifestyle by society's standards though, as I often have my own preferred way of doing things.
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[@billmccaleb7481]

Those views are a once in a lifetime type scenery! Very beautiful! I never would have guessed the beauty of Albania… can’t wait to see more!

[@BackpackingBananas]

It was truly spectacular!

[@2011endi]

just to take a look at the geographical position of Albania on the map and you don't need much to understand how beautiful it is

[@adri2162]

​@@BackpackingBananas0:53 Buonasera sono Ardian e ho visto il video di valbna Albania e vi fa piacere che fai bella pubblicità la mia pese grazie mille . Io vivo a Firenze italia quando vieni a Firenze fammi sapere grazie mille

[@TC-sg4uv]

I got overexcited when I see a new video uploaded from backpacking bananas!!!!

[@BANGTEEZ_IN_YOUR_AREA]

Exact same reaction! 😂😂

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yayyy 🥳🥳

[@MackPacking]

Omg I am totally the same!! 🥳

[@ervinslens]

Gorgeous place and beautiful weather! Perfect way to walk around and explore.

[@beaueijgelsheim4685]

I love this! Albania is high on my list!!

[@MacTravellers]

Now that's some good mountain views!

[@MillaExplores]

What a beautiful hike! I would love to do a hike like this. The guesthouses looked really cozy too 😍

[@Ella-vm4rt]

I’m planning to do this hike in September but was struggling to work out how it works with the hostel in Shkoder. This was super useful, thanks!

[@rgmm8888]

Wow the views are unbelievable. Looking forward to seeing what you and friend get up to...🌺🌼🌺

[@brianrabb3965]

So excited!!! I am doing this exact hike in about a month with a similar backpacking itinerary.

[@LondonViewpoints]

Looked like a great hike with a stunning view in 360 from that viewpoint with a tiny cross. Awesome video Christianne

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks Michal! ☺️🙏🏼

[@DiverseMindset]

Love it!!! The views are incredible!! 🥰🥰 I work with a couple of friends from Albania 🇦🇱 I can’t wait to show them ☺️☺️. Save travels

[@AbbyandGaz]

Another great video! Albania looks amazing. Definitely on my list! Looking forward to the next video already :)

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks for watching 💗

[@AlexUAE]

love Albania, Nice travel video 🛬🛫🛬🛫🛬🛫 i love to travel as well. Good channel 🏝🏜🏖🏕🗻 keep up the good work. All the beeest

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks Alex ❤️❤️

[@thomasedde9916]

I loved Theth, everything is stunning there! Shame you didn't do the Blue Eye hike, it's a great one!

[@madigoes]

thank you for this video! the views look stunning!!! I think I'm going to do it this spring!

[@kenlimosnero]

CHRISTIANNE! This was not on my radar and now it's on top of the list! I'm soooo inspired to get packing!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yaaas 😍😍

[@nakang]

thank you for information :)

[@jantinedejong4194]

Did this absolutely amazing and beautiful hike in 2019! Tip for people who think walking from Valbone to Theth is a bit too far (about 20 km): you can also stay at a homestay in Rrogam at the foot of the mountain called Lindi (you can see the sign in this video :) The bed they have is great, the food delicious and the family is lovely!!). That way you can do the first 5 kilometers on the day you arrive in Valbone valley. @backpackingbananas You can see another Blue Eye near Sarande. Enjoy your trip!

[@BackpackingBananas]

That’s a great tip ☺️

[@josinadouglas5203]

Hi! That's a great tip :) Do you have any contact info/where can I book?

[@FranMariee]

The views were spectacular!

[@BackpackingBananas]

So awesome!

[@sophiawitkowski1082]

A great video thank you for share also a massive well done on completing your hike whoo go you xx

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you lovely ❤️❤️

[@TraveldenganDon]

U got a new fan 🙏🏼✈️

[@OurWeekendAdventures]

Awesome video!

[@jazzthemess9636]

Beautiful love the video💜💜💜

[@WhenAdventureKnox]

Very helpful to know the hostel were able to sort this out for you as I had a little look at their website after your last video and it looked lovely, and I too would prefer to ask a local to sort out the logistics of the transport to Valbona for me! I'd really hoped you'd do this hike so I could magpie off your trip and this video really didn't disappoint - thank you! 🙏

[@BackpackingBananas]

Me too! It gives me way more confidence knowing the hostel has recommended and booked something directly for me ☺️

[@lindseygreen2840]

Doing the hike tomorrow inspired by this!

[@16kaiseama]

I just stayed in that guest house in Valbona last week!! It was amazing, my favorite night of my trip. But from the ferry, there were other people from our hostel (the wanderers) that said they were coming too and then they got ushered into a different bus and never came. I'm still confused as to what happened there with the organization.

[@emily-hw5xl]

Found your video of your trip to El Salvador which is where my parents are from and have been binge watching all your videos!! I’ve been loving them and I love your vibe. ☺️♥️

[@BackpackingBananas]

That’s awesome - thanks for watching!

[@BFNLIONBUZZ]

this so interesting thanks for sharing

[@BackpackingBananas]

Pleasure ☺️

[@aliberisha5412]

Albanian here love ur vid

[@VirtualFeats]

liked your video 354! thank you for this video! really enjoyed it from your friends in Ireland 🇮🇪

[@era.v]

Looks very nice

[@nataliexlau]

Wow that was such a great hiking vlog! And I love your new mentality about missing things. I feel the same as you, beating myself up, but I think I will change that with excitement, just like you did 😇

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yess it really helps!

[@neversaynever9709]

@@BackpackingBananas Is not called Skoda ,,, its called Shkodra (Shkoder) ,,, you make it sound like the car model Skoda

[@adz2k22]

15:30 amazing view

[@farisulejmani5910]

Nice video welcome to 🇦🇱 Albania

[@amberrose6249]

i was hoping you would upload this video before i go go albania and you did!!! doing this hike in a week :-)))

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yayyy! Enjoy 😍😍

[@irenaspilea4548]

Great Video. How did you've managed to hike with regular shoes? Even with hiking shoes, I've fallen twice on the way down to Theth. Glad you did it successfully!

[@N.A.K.87.]

Hi hun, love this and all your vids. 👏🏾I’m Doing this next week but I plan on coming back. What time was the bus from Theth to Skoder if you come back after the hike and don’t stay in Theth? Thanks in advance X

[@elissaanntorres9123]

I'll be in Montenegro, Albania and Greece at the end of September/ October and this is getting me SERIOUSLY excited, but also I have FOMO right now. 😩❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

Not long to wait! 😍

[@abc-00000]

Theth ⭐❤🦅🙏

[@toekanos]

Love the video and your energy.. Can't wait.. Will be in Theth next wednesday.. How are the food en drinks prices in the Theth valley?? Are there only guys hiking or also some families in Theth? I am bringing my teenage daughter with me and grown ups are boring.. 😆

[@alimk3050]

Hi there, loving your content! What’s the route on Alltrails called? Cant seem to find it

[@kristjanprendi3087]

hi great video, you think the trail is possible with a bicycle?

[@kyramioso]

How was it hiking in trainers 👟?? I am definitely adding this hike to my must-do list! It was very helpful to get an idea of what the hike and experience would be like!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Absolutely fine for one day ☺️ had it been bad weather though, I may not have been alright so it was a bit of a risk 😅

[@abc-00000]

Albaniaaaaa ❤🦅

[@paulah3995]

Love your videos😊 would also love if you could mention at what elevation you’re starting / how high up the peaks are😊 (maybe you do it and I’m just not listening closely enough ops🫢)

[@daron8982]

Korabi mountain is the highest mountain in albania 2751 metre above sea level and then is Tomorri mountain in Berat above 2000 metres from what i recall

[@finn2800]

Love this. My mates and I are going to do this hike in a week and a half. Should we book our home stays soon or were you fine to sort it out the night before at wanderers? (we have already booked a night there)

[@BackpackingBananas]

I was totally fine just booking it with the hostel ☺️

[@tiktak8060]

Schöne video

[@chloerusalen676]

Which month did you go hiking? I'm going in a couple weeks.

[@Speed-fw9mw]

👏👏👏👏❤️🏄

[@MckaylaRaines]

Let me know if you ever need a hiking gal pal!!!

[@lihammozz3159]

what month did you do the hike? was it hot

[@user-fr8hn1oe8e]

Which backpack did you use while hiking on this trip?

[@Adventurescot]

Oh my golly, you must have been on the same ferry as I was on Komani lake as that is my motorcycle they are loading onto the ferry and me standing there with the blue T-shirt. Someone just posted your link on my Facebook page. There is no hiding in this world ;-) Great clip. I have posted a few clips of that day on my KZbin page Adventurescot. We may even have chatted on the ferry. Keep enjoying your adventures, Richard (Adventurescot)

[@BackpackingBananas]

Aw no way! What a coincidence 😅 I hope you had a good trip!!

[@Adventurescot]

@@BackpackingBananas I sure had an amazing trip. 6000 miles in total from Scotland to Turkey and return. I was knackred on return and needed a holiday ;-) Enjoy your backpacking

[@angelvillalpando4700]

If only i had half the courage you have to travel alone! Love your videos

[@georgeskanderbeg3242]

Albania is very safe

[@angelvillalpando4700]

@@georgeskanderbeg3242 i dont worry about any country being safe or not i consider myself a big introvert. Meaning i dont like socializing much. But i need to change that.

[@BackpackingBananas]

You got this 😎💪🏼

[@TheShauNanigans]

@@angelvillalpando4700 The thing about traveling alone is that you can choose not to be social unless you're asking for directions and things like that. You go where you want and hang out with who you want when you want to do it. The plans are only the ones you made, and you can even decide not to do those plans too. It's your journey. In our day to day lives it is rare that we get to do something like that. I highly recommend it at least once. You could also try just going to somewhere for a couple nights that's maybe a couple of hours away from you and see how you like it. If you're not a fan the trip back isn't a huge hassle and you don't have to stay. Plus, when you travel with a group, now you're forced into social settings as part of the group.

[@angelvillalpando4700]

@@TheShauNanigans That actually sounds so true. I will definitely plan a small trip for october.

[@NotThatDutch]

Nice video! What time of the year did you hike this?

[@BackpackingBananas]

First half of June

[@katiemay2709]

Hey! I know this is a little while ago now but I am hoping to do exactly this later this year!! Could you tell me if you booked to stay at the wanderers hostel just for the 1 night, or did you book to stay at Wanderers for the nights over your stay in Valbona and theth? Thank you!!

[@barbarapolicar2530]

They use both currencies because the euro is more stable 😅 same goes for Croatia and BIH 😀 love your channel btw, keep up the good work!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Ah that makes sense! I wonder why they don’t use the euro exclusively then 🤔

[@User12345fan]

Lek is very stable, usually it’s quite pegged to the euro and the USD. But the reason we also use Euros and USD is because we are international. Here’s a story, when I first moved to the US i tried to pay my cab driver in Euros because I thought everyone did that. You can use the big currencies everywhere like in Albania. You can imagine the reaction of my cab driver.

[@TomDutch]

Is this doable in May? (snow)

[@holliejane3605]

A little over 4 months till we honeymoon in Thailand backpacking. Copying what you did😂

[@LincolnClay98]

Christianne, which website did you use to find volunteer work on a farm? I'd love to do something similar to that when I'm in Europe next.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Worldpackers ☺️ videos coming v soon!!

[@be.stoic1985]

"little city called Shkodër" ??? It's the largest town in Northern Albania with more than 135 000 inhabitants.

[@rifdironaldo8579]

Is this hike available to do during the winter season? Probably in November or December

[@BackpackingBananas]

There is a different ‘winter’ route which is more aprópiate during that time. I did the summer route which I’ve heard is too dangerous in the winter

[@bexhetgorenca2825]

tajlandia in balkans Albania fantastic top destinacion in europe

[@Cirline]

Did you pre book your hiking trip from Valbona to Theth before checking in at The Wanderers Hostel? I'm a bit concerned that it might get "sold out" during our vist here in the high season in august.

[@dominicmccrossen4872]

@Cirline How did it go? Im going in august too and have the same concern

[@alexgrey6508]

Sammmme 😂

[@susanne8490]

Does the hostel try to book you with other travelers from the hostel? I'm kind of worried I won't meet anyone to do the hike with and solo hiking is not really my thing 🙈🙈

[@BackpackingBananas]

They recommend the same guesthouses to all the hostel guests so it’s incredibly likely you’ll be matched up with other hostel guests who have gone with the hostel recommendation

[@kelinriday2062]

I'm going backpacking to Europe in September and 2 weeks of October. I'm going to Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece. I'm not sure if I should buy the Osprey Fairview 55L or the Eagle Creek 40L. Does anyone have a preference or any tips on which one would be the best?

[@User12345fan]

You’re going to Greece from Croatia and you are skipping Albania ?

[@dungeonmasta5572]

I'm curious are you holding your camera with your arm the whole time? Wow if you are look out Arnold Schwarzenegger?

[@BillHawashla]

What month was the trip?

[@BackpackingBananas]

June 😊

[@tourstan6986]

Great vlog 🤩 you are my high example. I hope one a day to grow my channel like you 😇

[@khielhydre5288]

Hello, I'm watching a lot of your videos and I'm really greatfull for all the help you provide me to organize my trips if one day you come to SouthWest France I'll be happy to give u a room for free =)

[@NASAvideos355]

What happened to your Pakistan tour ? 😔

[@BackpackingBananas]

Im leaving on Wednesday!! 🥳🥳🥳

[@EllisWR]

13:22 are you actually serious? That's the purest water on earth better than all the dirty horrible stuff you drink from the UK taps and bottled water I hope your joking with that comment

[@amelalisan3841]

Hi! I'm going to this same hike in 3 weeks. Could you please help me find this exact same trail in the app you were promoting "AllTrails"... because I can see a lot of people are posting about it but everyone have different distances. Hope you could help me. Thanks in advance :)

[@TheShauNanigans]

Yay! I was hoping the Medsailors journey would result with another Karen appearance. You 2 are quite the pair. The company looks like it could be a fun option, but at 33 I wonder if I've aged out of something like this. The site makes it seem as if they cater to people in their mid-20s or younger. Am I wrong about this assumption?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Not at all, I was actually the youngest person on my boat this year! (I’m 28). I think the demographic they aim for is 20-35

[@TheShauNanigans]

@@BackpackingBananas Thanks! I'll have to check it out. It looks like a cool experience.

[@anl1456]

There are a lot more villages in the mountains that are not as touristy, but you have to be in better shape. 500 lek new is = to 4.27 EUR $4.35 USA but they might be saying it in old lek which would be = to .43 EUR and .44 cents USA When they are talking small cash it's usually old lek your coffee was .43 EUR it's cheap. You have to learn more about Albanian money, but if it was new lek they where ripping off the tourist

[@jan-hendrikmasuch7196]

No "byebye" anymore just "bye" ?! :(

[@BackpackingBananas]

Who knows, the bye bye might make a return 😂😂

[@jamesgrahamclas5204]

All I can think of is “Taken”

[@johannaengman2594]

Do younfollow Eva zu Beck. Ske din tjat hike not tjat long Argo bur she ran in halv the timme and during winter. KZbin trio looks nicer. Bur she pur it on my bucket list

[@eaglempire_mapper]

The first "th" is pronunced like the last "th". Theth, not teth!

[@The_Lost_One]

I'm confused how she takes months at a time out of work to do this. I'd have to quit but then how do u afford to do this for years.

[@allenxelmundo6010]

you need to become raw vegan or fruitarian, if you're doing all that exercise and still inflamed and over weight its your diet that's the problem you eat a lot of animal products I noticed, stop drinking alcohol too

[@andreacibaku1041]

Love albania 🇦🇱 ❤️ 😊