Mountains to sea – Kosovo and Albania
On the bike from mountains to sea, while pioneering through Europe`s last frontier!
About
A landscape full of isolated mountains, seemingly fallen from another time. Biking through Kosovo and Albania’s mountains – probably one of the last adventures of Europe. That`s impressive hospitality, archaic villages and mountainous land of strong beauty, without cable cars, asphalt roads or holiday resorts. Instead shepherds and their flock, friendly encounters in no man’s land, and the feeling of true pioneering. On single tracks and wild gravel roads we`re on tour in alpine and semi-alpine areas up to 2000 meters, biking through remote valleys and past mysterious hamlets. During a whole week, from Kosova to Albania, until we finally reach the Adriatic sea. From mountains to sea – that’s a story to tell back home!
Dates 2025: May 24 – May 31
This is a tour with fixed dates and you can sign up for the tour even if you are not meeting the minimum requirements for group size. Once you have signed up we will confirm the tour when we have enough guests to meet the minimum requirement.
- Difficulty
Intermediate - Group size
4 - 9 persons - Duration
9 days - Price
1650 EUR
- Included in the price:
- Guide for 7 days
- Accommodation for 8 nights
- Breakfast, lunch-packs and dinner
- Luggage transfer
- Not included in the price:
- Flights to and from Prishtina and Tirana
- Drinks for dinner
- Itinerary
- Practical info
Itinerary
Day 1
Pickup from airport, transfer to Prizren , dinner and accommodation at the hotel If some time left a walk through the historic town, Prizren is the most attractive city of Kosovo. Or we start directly with a singletrack above the city, we know a gem out there…
Day 2
1.5h transfer in the morning, after that alpine tour in Kosovos most remote corner, „Dragash“, the mysterious 3-border area of Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia. Higher than 2000 meters we bike on singletracks and meadows past mountain lakes, fresh streams and friendly greeting shepherds. As in the alps 100 years ago! The day’s end brings a tasting of local cheese, and a shot of “raki” to celebrate. Accommodation at hotel in Dragash in the evening.
Distance: 35 km
Vertical meters: 800 meters up/1600 meters down
Day 3
Early morning transfer to a remote (but official) border crossing into Albania, entry and start of day tour in alpine area (2000 meters) along the borderline. During communism heavily guarded, today only the occasional bunker-ruins give witness of the borderline in this otherwise completely deserted mountain area. Great downhill single track with curved trail and varied terrain over nearly 2000 meters altitude. Overnight stay at traditional guesthouse in the beautiful mountain village of Fshat.
Distance: 38 km
Vertical meters: 1200 meters up/2000 meters down
Day 4
Today there`s something of everything, and on top of it something special. After a short asphalt climb some incredible singletracks takes us down to the black Drin, the free floating river of the region. Over dirt roads we now bike to lunch, which we enjoy as a picnic on the rivers green banks. Freshly strengthened we start the second half of our day, and part of that is a fantastic flow trail connecting two villages. Goal of this day is the regional town of Peshkopi, where with some time left we hang our legs in an improvised sulfur-bath at the edge of the road. Accommodation at hotel in Peshkopi
Distance: 45 km
Vertical meters: 1400 meters up/1600 meters down
Day 5
We cross the delta of the black Drin – a short splash is a must, its mostly warm here – and climb up into the hills. Once on top we get treated with smooth singletracks and panoramas of the opposite border mountains. In intervals of climbs and varied downhill’s we ride some trails coming very close to a human made bike park – but actually nothing else than old village trails together with mother nature`s work. Back down at our old friend the river Drin we enjoy a swim in its cold clear water – followed by a nap in the grass, today also deserves a moment of “chilling”. Accommodation at hotel in Peshkopi.
Distance: 25 km
Vertical meters: 800 meters up/800 meters down
Day 6
Today starts with downhill & a view, before we cross for a last time the Drin river and climb over natural roads into a remote mountain valley. The trail takes us along one of the most authentic villages of Albania, with fences woven from branches, cattle in the alleys, and local youngsters rather perplexed by us bikers. The highest point and the following downhill past alpine huts including some cool singletrack we earn with a juicy technical climb. The accommodation on this day is a memorable one. We are guests at the Hupi-family in their centuries old defense-tower, which over the past few years was renovated into a stunning guesthouse full of details and history. What hasn’t been changed: the authentic Albanian hospitality and the delicious homemade food. Enjoy!
Distance: 40 km
Vertical meters: 1200 meters up/1200 meters down
Day 7
After a bus transfer close to the capital Tirana we today get our swim in the sea: Lonely bike trails with a fresh breeze bring us today to the beach, where we celebrate the end of a memorable week over grilled fish & white wine. Celebrating our tour from 2000 meters in Kosovos mountains down to sea level zero of the Adriatic! Accommodation at hotel directly at the beach.
Distance: 34 km
Vertical meters: 700 meters up/800 meters down
Day 8
After a week on the bike we enjoy one last day at the sea. Short rides, cold beers and doing sweet-nothing on the beach of a perfect end of the tour. We are at the wide Adriatic beach of “Gjiri Lalezit” not far from Durres & the capital Tirana, and you can swim, walk the beach – or just chill.
Day 9
Transfer to the airport in Tirana, and return home.
Practical info
Level of difficulty
You’re confident in your climbing and descending skills
You can handle moderately technical terrain and obstacles such as small logs and rocks (up to 10-12 cm high).
You have very good control of your bike on intermediate and slightly more advanced terrain, and are comfortable climbing quite technical single-track
You can ride 4-6 hours a day at a moderate pace with some short breaks, over a few days
You can handle moderately steep climbs of about 1000 vertical metres in a day in average
(Levels: 5-6 skill level, 4-6 fitness level)
How to get there
Meet-up for this tour is in Prishtina, Kosovo. For returning flights we will depart from Tirana in Albania.
Accommodation
On our tours twin room is the standard for almost all accommodation. On some mountain farms, huts or the like family rooms or rooms that sleep more than two might occur. If you want a single-room there might be some additional costs.
Equipment
We recommend full suspension bikes on all of our tours. We also provide rental, specially tailored for our tours. If you are interested in rental options, please contact us for more information. We will also issue use a recommended packing list as reference to get the most out of your tour!
Terms of payment
When the order is placed you pay a deposit equaling 30 % of the total price. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. The agreement between the parties is not binding until the deposit is paid in full. To read our full terms and conditions click here.