Theth, a Small Village in the Albanian Alps.
It is a tiny village nestled within Theth National Park in the Albanian Alps, Albania. It's considered a popular destination for hikers thanks to its stunning natural beauty and numerous renowned attractions.
For this trip, we rented a car and drove from North Macedonia, making a one-night stop in Shkodër to stock up on groceries since we arrived before the peak tourist season, and also to catch our breath after the long flight from Thailand. We visited in early April when the mountains were still blanketed in snow, including the SH21 road leading to the national park. This road is narrow and winding, so you have to drive with extreme caution.
The further we drove up the mountain towards the park, the heavier the snow became. Seeing the car ahead of us stop and prepare to turn around made me quite nervous, but we pressed on. Eventually, we came across a car coming down and flagged the driver down to ask about the road conditions. They assured us it was passable but advised us to drive slowly and be very careful. I'm so glad we didn't give up and turn back, as the view of the snow-covered road and trees was absolutely breathtaking.
As mentioned, we arrived during the off-season, so many guesthouses weren't open yet. We rang the doorbells at several places, but no one was around. We kept walking and searching; some places were open but were undergoing post-winter renovations.
We finally found accommodation further inside the village. A group of tourists had checked in before us, which was great since it meant we wouldn't feel too isolated. After unpacking, it was time to explore the surroundings. It was already late in the afternoon. Originally, we planned to hike to the Blue Eye, a natural spring with crystal-clear water, but it requires a one-hour hike up the mountain and another hour back. Fearing we'd run out of daylight, we decided to skip it.
Instead, we took a stroll to The Church of Theth. Built in 1892, this historic church is a significant cultural symbol of the region. Constructed from local stone, it is still an active place of worship today.
Additionally, there's the Theth trail, which involves hiking across the Valbona Pass. It's an absolute must for hiking enthusiasts, though we unfortunately had to skip it due to a lack of time. I really hope we get the chance to return here someday!