Albanian Southern Coastal Trail
The Southern Coastal Trail in Albania is a breathtaking 74-kilometer trek along the Albanian Riviera, stretching from Dhërmi to near Sarandë. While the region is famous for its beaches, this trail offers much more—it’s a multi-day journey through sandy and pebble beaches, rocky goat trails, olive groves, and charming cobbled villages, all set against the backdrop of dramatic mountain ridges.
Why hike it?
- Stunning scenery: The contrast between the endless blue sea and rugged mountains makes for unforgettable views.
- Rich cultural heritage: Along the way, you’ll encounter centuries-old churches and monasteries to more modern-day bunkers.
- Diverse hiking experience: The trail runs from easy beach walks to strenuous mountain climbs.
- Secluded beaches: Some of the loneliest and most pristine beaches of the Riviera are accessible via this trail—perfect for a refreshing swim.
- Authentic local life: You’ll pass through traditional villages, meet friendly shepherds, and enjoy delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
About Our Hike
This hike was the brainchild of Karolina—some of you might remember her from previous hikes. She was invited to a friend’s wedding on the coast and since she was in the area, wanted to find something to hike nearby.
After finding this trail, she asked if I’d be interested in a visit to Albania. Yeah, sure.... I had never heard of this trail and didn’t really know much of anything about Albania, but it seemed like an adventure and an interesting place to visit! So I crashed a wedding (more-or-less), then we hit the trail the next day. We hiked it in early May when the weather was warm (but not too hot!), the beaches were quiet. A perfect time of year to hike the trail!
Hiking the Southern Coastal Trail In Real Life?
For those of you interested in a real-life thru-hike of this trail, I’ve made the GPS tracks that I recorded during my hike available for free. Read more about how to download Albania’s Southern Coastal Trail GPS tracks, and the caveats you should know about them.
| Stage Name | Length (miles) | Position (miles) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dhërmi-Livadh Beach | 10.3 | 0.0 → 10.3 |
| 2. | Livadh-Pilur | 6.4 | 10.3 → 16.7 |
| 3. | Pilur-Kudhës | 6.1 | 16.7 → 22.8 |
| 4. | Kudhës-Borsh Beach | 8.0 | 22.8 → 30.8 |
| 5. | Borsh Beach-Lukovë | 7.0 | 30.8 → 37.8 |
| 6. | Lukovë-Nivicë | 7.1 | 37.8 → 44.9 |
Dhërmi Beach
Pilur
Sunset on Buneci Beach
St. Dhimitri Church