If you’re traveling by car through the Balkans, you might find yourself entering Albania from Montenegro.
At that point, we highly recommend taking a short detour. 2 to 3 days might just become one of the most unforgettable travel experiences of your life.
Take the ferry across Lake Komani, and then drive into the heart of Valbona Valley.
The Road to Komani
Your journey begins with a winding drive along the river Drin, passing small Albanian villages and hugging the edge of coastal cliffs.
Expect the unexpected: donkeys and chickens crossing the road, children playing at the roadside, and panoramic views at every turn.
Then comes the twisted tunnel carved under the Komani dam – a raw, unpolished passage into what feels like another world.
And there it is: the ferry.
Komani Ferry to Fierze: Nature at Its Most Majestic
Boarding the ferry at Komani, you’ll glide across the reservoir surrounded by dramatic, mirror-like mountain reflections that defy words.
This stretch of northern Albania feels untouched by time – wild, sacred, and humbling.
The ferry ride ends at Fierze, but your journey is far from over.
Into the Valbona Valley
From Fierze, the road continues – winding deeper into the Albanian Alps.
The peaks grow taller, the forests denser, the air cooler. This is one of the most remote regions in the Balkans. Just across the border, Montenegrins call it “Prokletije” – The Accursed Mountains. Definitely a poetic name for a place that overwhelms the senses.
Mountain Life and Quiet Wonders
When you reach the upper Valbona Valley, you’ll find a dozen or so welcoming guesthouses – each offering:
- Traditional northern Albanian meals (try the fried goat!)
- Hiking trails into untouched wilderness
- Fishing, fresh air, and the peace of true distance from civilization
It’s not luxury. It’s something better: a raw, beautiful, ineffaceable experience.
Design your Balkans, Albania, or any unforgettable itinerary with the help of Meet The Road – the travel companion for seekers, not just tourists.