Theth National Park: Things To Do & Best Hikes In 2025
Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Albania, Theth National Park is the place to be for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. As soon as we set foot in the National Park, and breathed in the fresh mountain air, we were hooked. With the towering Accursed Mountains, thick pine forests, and the majestic Shala River meandering through deep valleys, it’s impossible to not be blown away by the beauty.
Dotted amongst Theth National Park are tiny villages, where centuries-old traditions can still be witnessed, allowing you to immerse yourself in the unique culture of rural Northern Albania.
With untouched natural beauty, authentic villages, and a host of endangered wildlife species, Theth National Park is a real hidden gem in Europe that you need to explore yourself.
Theth National Park: Quick Guide
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to read the whole post, here is a quick guide to Theth National Park:
- Location: The far north-eastern corner of Albania
- How to get there: We’d recommend hiring a car and driving from Shkodër.
- Where to stay: Guesthouse Prrockaj Theth
- Best thing to do: Theth to Valbona hike
- What to do for non-hikers: Relax with a picnic by Theth Church or wander to Grunas Waterfall.
- Best restaurant: Vila Gjecaj
Where Is Theth National Park?
Theth National Park is located in the remote North Eastern corner of Albania, along the border with Montenegro. The park is actually reasonably small, covering only 10.16 square miles.
At the heart of the park are the Albanian Alps, known locally as the Accursed Mountains, though the range extends well beyond the limits of the National Park, covering over 621 miles.
Through the Albanian Alps runs the Shala river, creating the Shala Valley, formed by water running off the steep mountain faces. The water is clear, and the river banks are luscious.
The closest city to Theth National Park is Shkodër, which is well worth a visit in itself, before heading into the mountains.
How To Get To Theth National Park
The only way to really get to Theth National Park is by car. This means you can either drive yourself, hire a driver, jump on a bus, or join a tour. We’d recommend basing yourself in Shkodër for the night before you depart and travel to either Theth or Valbona, two small villages in the heart of the National Park. We’ve outlined all the essential details for each situation below.
By Car
We travelled Albania by car so this is the option we took to reach Theth National Park. From Shkodër, it takes around 2 hours to drive to Theth.
After you leave the city limits, you’ll encounter a narrow road leading you toward the mountains. Please note, as of 2023, this path is fully tarmacked and you do not need a 4×4 to drive along it.
The road into the national park is incredibly scenic, though very windy. If you get travel sick, you might want to consider some medication.
With switchback, after switchback, as you snake up the side of a mountain, be conscious of cars coming the other direction and drive slowly (I think we averaged 20-30kph!!). There are barriers by the side of the road, but apart from that it is a sheer drop. The road is wide enough for two cars, but can be a squeeze if you encounter a lorry!
Once you reach the top of the mountain, there’s a little car park on the right to allow you to stretch your legs and take in the incredible views before descending into the beautiful village of Theth.
Hiring A Driver
If you don’t fancy driving yourself, you can hire an experienced driver to navigate the windy mountain passes for you. They will typically depart from Shkodër or Tirana and can be a pleasant and comfortable way to reach the mountains.
It takes at least twice the amount of time to reach Theth from Tirana, so we would highly recommend booking a driver from Shkodër if possible.
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By Public Bus
The public buses in Albania are more like what we would call minibuses, small, comfortable vans carrying just 15 passengers.
The bus to Theth departs from Shkodër promptly at 7 am every day. There is only one bus per day, so make sure you get to your stop slightly early to avoid having to change your plans!
The journey takes 2 hours and costs 10 euros per person.
By Joining A Tour
Arguably the easiest way to explore Theth National Park is by joining a tour that will show you all the highlights in just one day.
This means you won’t face the hassle of getting there yourself, navigating public buses with your suitcase, or paying for a driver.
Tours depart from either Shkodër or Tirana and will show you the best of Theth, including the Grunas waterfall and the Thethi Blue Eye.
Where To Stay In Theth National Park
Whilst Theth is only a small village, it is quite spread out so knowing where’s best to stay is difficult. We’d recommend staying in Fushe-Theth, at the south end of the village. This area is much more peaceful than the north of the village, with lots of open spaces and very close to Theth Church.
If you’re visiting just for the Theth to Valbona hike, consider staying in the north of the village, which is around 1km closer to the start than Fushe-Theth.
Our Recommendations
Things To Do In Theth National Park
1. Hike From Theth To Valbona
The number one thing to do in Theth National Park, and the reason why the majority of people visit, is to tackle the Theth to Valbona hike.
This hike will take you from the village of Theth to the village of Valbona. Alternatively, you can hike to Valbona Peak (at approximately the halfway point) before turning back to Theth.
The trail is steep, and the first section is on gravel pathways which can make it quite slippery. We would highly recommend wearing sensible footwear to minimise slipping.
Though it’s not particularly technical, the hike is rather challenging due to the steep and quick elevation gain. We’d consider ourselves very physically fit and even we found it tough in places! Take it slow and you’ll be fine – it’s not a race!
The Theth to Valbona hike takes you through stunning scenery, with mountains in the distance, pine forests, and beautiful alpine meadows. You have to add it to your Theth National Park bucket list!
2. Visit Theth Church
In the centre of the sleepy village of Theth is the cutest little Church you’ll have ever seen. This Church has almost become an icon of the village, well known by tourists who’ve seen its picture all over social media.
With green gardens and a huge tree to relax under, this is the most peaceful spot in the entire village.
You’ll often find locals sitting under the tree, playing traditional instruments, humming to themselves.
The Church is free to visit from the outside, though it is very rarely unlocked so don’t expect to see inside.
Top Tip!
Visit just before sunset to see it glowing in the evening light. It’s truly magical.
3. Hike To The Blue Eye
The Theth Blue Eye is a beautiful crystal-clear spring located deep in Theth National Park. The Blue Eye is, not surprisingly, bright blue in colour, and has a small waterfall creating the most magical atmosphere.
It’s possible to swim in the Blue Eye, though please note: the water is absolutely freezing cold!
The hike is 17km in total, but much easier than the Theth to Valbona hike as it’s pretty flat throughout, with only short slopes at the start and end of the hike. Expect it to take 3-3.5hrs each way.
If you’re not sure about hiking in the mountains by yourself, you can also book onto a guided tour.
4. Relax At The Grunas Waterfall
Honestly, this was one of our favourite things to do in Theth National Park (we did it twice!)! The Grunas Waterfall is located an easy 30-minute hike from the south of Theth, on mostly flat ground through the mountain valley.
You’ll be surrounded by trees and nature, and pass some quaint mountain huts on the way, really adding to the atmosphere.
Once you get to the foot of the waterfall, you can climb to the base of the first drop. We’d recommend wearing sensible shoes like this – I found out the hard way that coming back down can be quite slippery!
Grunas waterfall has a 25m drop, reaching a small pool below, before continuing to descend into the valley.
Bring swimmers, as you can go for a little dip in the pool, though it is freezing cold!
5. See The Reconciliation Tower
In Fushi-Theth (the same part of the village that the Church is located in), you’ll find the reconciliation tower standing tall as a testament to the history of the area.
Also known as the lock-in tower, the tower offered a safe haven to locals of the area engaged in blood feuds. Blood feuds are essentially a revenge law, meaning that all male members of a family could be murdered in retaliation for the death of someone from a different family.
These were common in Albania during the 15th Century, and in fact, there are still families in Albania today that live in fear of retaliation for a crime committed by their ancestors.
You can go into the tower and learn more about its history from a local. The entry fee is just 200 Leke per person.
6. Relax In The Alpine Meadows
The alpine meadows of Theth National Park are absolutely stunning. With hundreds of different colourful flowers and butterflies fluttering around, the alpine meadows are the perfect place for a picnic.
There are plenty of meadow spots in Theth village, or for the most perfect alpine meadow, head halfway up to Valbona Peak. It takes around 90 minutes to reach this meadow, and it is a steep climb, but it’s oh-so worth it.
The views over the mountains are insane, and it’s just so peaceful, with very few other people around.
7. Eat The Most Delicious Albanian Food
If you’ve reached Theth National Park without trying Albanian cuisine, where have you been?! Albanian cuisine is so delicious, you simply have to try it.
We had some of the best food we’d ever tasted in Theth and highly recommend you check out Vila Gjecaj.
This family-run restaurant and guesthouse has several tables in the garden for you to choose from (you may end up waiting if you don’t go early or book beforehand as it is popular!). The atmosphere is romantic, with quiet music playing in the background, and fairy lights hanging overhead.
The staff are so welcoming and friendly, and the food is insanely good. Everything on the menu is made from local fresh and organic produce, with traditional recipes, and seasoned to perfection.
You NEED to try their stuffed aubergine – it’s literally the best – though there are options to suit both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, all at a very reasonable price for the quality you receive.
We honestly cannot fault this place and would go back in a heartbeat.
8. Admire The Traditional Alpine Huts
Scattered throughout the village of Theth are beautiful alpine huts, some of which you can stay in, and some of which are reserved for the locals.
With their long sloping rooves, wooden beams, and stone facades, these huts are so cute, it’s hard not to take a million photos of each and every one!
Go for a little stroll around the village of Theth admiring all the beautiful buildings and dreaming of a simpler life in the mountains.
9. Watch The Locals Go About Their Day
Wander around the backstreets of Theth and watch the locals go about their day-to-day lives. Feeling like you’ve stepped back 50 years, the simplicity of life here is something to admire.
No matter how early you try to get up, you’ll never be the first ones up as the locals always seem to be busy, tending their pristine gardens and smallholdings. Observe the farmers hand cutting their grass while the animals graze upon the lush meadows.
It’s a humbling experience to witness the simplicity and authenticity that define Theth, a place where time seems to slow down.
Best Hikes In Theth National Park
Theth National Park has several stunning hikes to choose from. Here are our top three, depending on what you’re looking for!
Theth To Valbona
At A Glance…
Distance: 17km
Time: 6-8hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
If you’re after a bit of a challenge, we’d recommend the incredible Theth to Valbona hike. It’s not for the faint-hearted as it can be quite steep and tough going at times, but it is the most rewarding hike we’ve completed to date!
The sense of achievement at finishing is next to none.
The Blue Eye Of Theth
At A Glance…
Distance: 20km
Time: 6-8hrs
Difficulty: Easy
The Theth Blue Eye hike is a relatively easy hike on stone paths with little change in elevation, apart from at the start and the end.
It should take you around 3-3.5hrs each way, so it’s not too difficult. Plus, the benefit of this hike is that you can cool off in the magical fairytale-like pool before turning round!
If you’re after a full-day hike but don’t want to strain yourself too much, then this is the hike for you.
Grunas Waterfall
At A Glance…
Distance: 2-3.5km
Time: 30-50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This is a really easy hike from Theth village. The distance and time vary based on your starting point within the village, as it’s surprisingly spread out.
The paths are well-maintained and easy to follow, and the waterfall is really beautiful.
This is the perfect hike if you want to rest your sore legs a little the day after a more strenuous hike, or if you’ve got a few spare hours to kill.
Theth National Park: FAQs
When Is The Best Time To Visit Theth National Park?
The best time to visit Theth National Park is between May and October, when the days are lengthening and the temperature is increasing.
During winter, the area receives a large amount of snow, so it’s very difficult to reach at this time of year. Even at the end of May, you might find snow and ice on the roads to Theth, so make sure you drive carefully.
Due to it’s mountainous landscape, even in the middle of summer it can get chilly in the evenings, so make sure to bring a warm top or two to wrap up in! That being said, the days are long and sunny, and the temperature is perfect for a hike.
Which Is Better: Theth Or Valbona?
Whilst both villages are absolutely beautiful, we’d recommend staying in Theth over Valbona.
Theth is slightly larger and has much more to do, including visiting the Blue Eye, the Church of Theth, and the Grunas Waterfall.
It’s more easily accessible and makes a great base for exploring Theth National Park.
Is Theth National Park Worth Visiting If You Don’t Like Hiking?
Theth National Park is absolutely worth visiting even if you don’t like hiking. We spent an entire day in Theth without going for more than a stroll to Grunas Waterfall.
The location is absolutely stunning, it’s easy to find a shady spot in a meadow with a good book and relax, breathing in the mountain air.
Do You Need A Car To Visit Theth National Park?
A car is not essential to visit Theth National Park. Once you’re in Theth, you won’t really need to drive at all (and the roads in the village aren’t great so you won’t want to anyway!).
The only reason to have a car is to make the journey to Theth a little easier and more enjoyable than on a public bus, but apart from that, a car is not necessary.
Is Theth National Park Expensive To Visit?
Whilst Theth is a little more expensive than some other parts of Albania in some aspects, including accommodation and food, you’re not paying to do activities so it all balances out.
Plus, in comparison to the vast majority of mountainous locations in Europe, Theth is incredibly budget-friendly and your money will go a lot further!
How Long Do You Need In Theth National Park?
We’d recommend allowing a minimum of 3 nights in Theth National Park. This will allow you time to do the two main hikes – Theth to Valbona and the Theth Blue Eye hikes – whilst also giving you time to explore and relax in the village.
Wrap Up: Theth National Park
Theth National Park is one of the most underrated mountain destinations in Europe, with towering peaks, stunning nature, and so much to do. From jaw-dropping hikes to mountain peaks, to beautiful waterfalls, culture, and history, there really is something for everyone in Theth National Park.
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