Explore the quiet backroads and rolling hills of rural Albania on two wheels, pedalling past horse-drawn carts and villages rich in tradition
Climb the epic Llogora Pass, basking in the panoramic views from the top before zipping down the thrilling descent
Soak tired legs in Benje’s hot springs and dive into the turquoise waters of Ionian Sea for cool dips as you go
Savour farm-to-table dishes in Sotire and cap off your adventure with a seafood feast as the sun sets over the sparkling Adriatic
Day 1
Arrive in Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania, and head to your hotel in the city centre. If your flight allows, take the opportunity to explore some of the city’s highlights – you could visit the Old Bazaar, wander through the trendy Bllok District, or marvel at Skanderbeg Square. In the evening, meet your guide and fellow adventurers for an introduction to the journey ahead.
Day 2
This morning starts with a scenic two-hour transfer through the Shkumbin Valley to the northern shore of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful lakes. After getting fitted for your bike, begin the warm-up ride, descending towards the tranquil lake and following the shoreline to the village of Tushemisht. The route is mostly flat, with some gentle inclines as you approach the village. In the afternoon, cycle over to North Macedonia to visit the UNESCO-listed Saint Naum Monastery; on your return, you can take a refreshing dip in the lake.
Day 3
Today, you’ll cycle through fertile agricultural fields and rural landscapes on your way to Korça. The ride takes you along the shore of Lake Ohrid before gradually climbing towards your first mountain pass and up to the highland plateau. As you ride into the town, you’ll make a stop at the Morava Bee Farm to sample some of the finest honey in the region. Upon reaching Korça, you’ll have time to explore the town, known for its friendly feel and historic buildings. For those up for trying local flavours, a visit to the Korça Beer Brewery is a great option to enjoy a refreshing pint of this traditional brew.
Day 4
Today will be your biggest day yet, with plenty of hills to climb along the border between Albania and Greece as you cycle into the heart of the Gramos Mountains. Leave the Korça plateau and climb to Bramash Pass, pedalling through the Kolonja Highlands, where the Gramos Mountains rise majestically in the distance. Enjoy jaw-dropping panoramic views and a tasty lunch in Erseke before descending to the rural village of Sotire, your final destination for today, which offers an authentic Albanian experience. Here, you'll unwind with a hearty farm-to-table dinner and enjoy the star-filled skies at this mountain escape. There will be plenty of climbing today – but everyone can ride at their own pace, take breaks as needed, and there's always the option to hop in the support vehicle if you need to rest your legs.
Day 5
What goes up must come down! After all the hard work yesterday, enjoy an exhilarating descent toward Leskovik. Cycle through the Vjosa River Gorge, one of Albania’s most spectacular natural wonders, taking in some of the most breathtaking views of the entire trip. Continue rolling along the mountain road above the river to the village of Benja, known for its thermal springs – the perfect spot for a relaxing soak in its mineral-rich waters. A 1.5-hour transfer will take you the final leg of today's journey to Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage city famed for its well-preserved Ottoman-era architecture. Take some time to explore the cobbled streets of the old town, with a peek inside a traditional Ottoman house, before finding a cosy restaurant for dinner.
Day 6
After breakfast, an hour's drive will take you to top of Muzina Pass, where the cycling begins with an exciting descent toward Sarandë on the Ionian Coast, the gateway to southern Albania. This route features a mix of steep climbs and exhilarating descents, offering views of the picturesque Albanian Riviera. You’ll pass the famous Blue Eye, a natural spring with vivid turquoise waters, before a short ferry ride takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint. After a guided tour of this archaeological treasure, the final stretch today offers spectacular views of the Ionian Sea, with the island of Corfu visible in the distance. Take advantage of your first night on the coast with a refreshing dip on arrival in Sarandë!
Day 7
Today you'll cycle along the stunning Albanian Riviera, passing coastal mountains, deep bays, and dramatic headlands. The route weaves through olive groves and citrus orchards, followed by a scenic climb toward Porto Palermo, pausing at the historic Ali Pasha Castle. Descending towards Himare, the coastline then opens up, revealing panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and dramatic coastal cliffs. Arriving in the lovely seaside town of Himare, the beach will be calling! As the sun sets, take a leisurely walk through Himare’s Old Town, perched above the coast, and soak in the panoramic views over dinner.
Day 8
Your final cycling day begins with a rewarding challenge: a steady ascent to the iconic Llogara Pass, which sits at an elevation of 1000m. The climb is tough, but offers unbeatable views of the Ionian coastline and surrounding mountains. After taking in the views at the top, you’ll have a thrilling descent through the serene Llogara National Park. The landscape gradually opens to reveal the azure waters of the Adriatic as you make your way along the coastal road. Today is a long climb, but everyone can tackle it at their own pace, take breaks as needed, and there's the option to jump in the support vehicle if you need to. Your Albania cycling adventure concludes in Radhimë, where you can spend the afternoon unwinding by the beach before celebrating your week of epic rides with a team dinner by the sea.
Day 9
After a final sea swim and breakfast, jump into the van for the 3-hour drive back to Tirana for your onward journey. Choose to head directly to the airport, or perhaps extend your stay to explore Albania’s vibrant capital.
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Six dinners have not been included, to allow you to sample some local restaurants of your choosing in the small towns you stay at. We recommend you budget about £20/€25 per meal to cover these.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion, but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline:
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional food and drinks, shopping and laundry.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine (opens in new tab), as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
Albanian cuisine is a tasty mix of Mediterranean and Balkan influences. For breakfast, enjoy fresh eggs, bread, jam, honey, and coffee. Lunches will be taken at local restaurants along the cycling route, normally consisting of soup and salads. The tw…
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability). Due to the nature of the accommodation on Day 4 it is not possible to have a private room this night.
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
For active people who want to explore more wild and adventurous places
This trip is designed for experienced cyclists with a sense of adventure. You should feel comfortable cycling 65km or more per day on paved, mostly quiet, undulating roads. Mo...
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Saturday 19th September 2026
to Sunday 27th September 2026
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Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we’ve found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We also send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated!
All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the amazing landscape with your fellow tourers. You will cycle at your own pace, with regular stops to regroup so that no-one gets left behind. These trips are not just open to lycra-clad roadies, although those are welcome too!
Have a read of our article on cycling difficulty levels for further information on selecting the right level of bike adventure for you.
You'll be riding Ghost Square Cross bike, with light aluminum frame, hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension. You'll need to let your host know your height, to ensure the correct frame size is supplied.
The bikes are equipped with two water bottle cages, a pannier rack and one small bag (using a pannier is optional). They all come with standard flat pedals and male/standard saddles. If you would rather pack your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), please do – and these will be fitted for you. Please note, pedal size should be 9/16 20 threads per inch and bike saddle rails should be 7mm in diameter with a standard of 44mm width.
On most days, yes. However, on two days there will be a transfer (driving durations are stated in the itinerary above) to get you between the cycling routes – this is to keep you away from unpleasantly busy roads, and on the best cycle routes.
The guide-to-cyclist ratio on this trip is 1:8, meaning that for groups of nine or more people, there will be two cycle guides. Throughout, you will also be accompanied by a support vehicle, driven by a bike mechanic.
In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned rides on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an alternative route or activity will be offered.
The support vehicle will have large containers of water that you are able to top your water bottles up with. Most hotels will also provide safe drinking water, so ensure you bring your refillable bottle – it should not be necessary to buy single-use water bottles.
This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme highs, where limited shade and high humidity can also be a factor. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but hydration, proper clothing, and sun protection are essential.
Before travelling, consider your ability to be active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have any cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two prior to the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Albania has a temperate, Mediterranean climate. The best time to cycle is in spring (from April to the end of May), or in autumn (between September and November) when temperatures are milder, reaching daytime highs of 22-26°C. The mountainous regions of Gramoz and Llogara National Park tend to feel cooler due to the higher altitude, with temperatures between 15-19 °C in spring and autumn and the possibility of stronger winds. While Albania enjoys a great amount of sunshine, rain can be expected at any time of the year so you should be prepared for all eventualities.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 379kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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