{"id":148739,"date":"2024-05-25T09:01:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-25T08:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rycetravel.com\/?post_type=itineraries&p=148739"},"modified":"2024-08-26T15:07:45","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T14:07:45","slug":"wild-balkan-ride-mountain-bike-expedition-albania-kosovo","status":"publish","type":"itineraries","link":"https:\/\/rycetravel.com\/en\/tours\/wild-balkan-ride-mountain-bike-expedition-albania-kosovo\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Balkan Ride: mountain bike expedition Albania & Kosovo"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On the journey from Tirana to Peja, this trip combines the most beautiful singletracks in Kosovo and Northern Albania. Adventurous 4×4 shuttles make the wild mountain peaks accessible. The program includes the ascent of several peaks over 2000 meters, such as Hinoske, Skarpa, Hajla, and Korab.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":148737,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"wp_travel_lat":"","wp_travel_lng":"","wp_travel_trip_map_use_lat_lng":"no","wp_travel_location":"","wp_travel_overview":"

Along the way from Tirana to Peja, this trip combines the finest singletracks in Kosovo and northern Albania. Adventurous 4x4 shuttles make the wild mountain peaks accessible. The program includes 6 stages descending >1600m on average, climbing several alpine peaks +2000m (Hinoske, Skarpa, Hajla, Korab). At 2764m, Korab is the highest mountain in both Albania and North Macedonia. The shuttles take you as far as possible, after which the last altitude meters are covered by cycling or hike-a-bike.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In addition to the breathtaking scenery, you can immerse yourself in the unmatched Albanian hospitality and experience authentic guesthouses run by local families. Here, you can indulge in homemade delicacies like ajvar, flia, pite, raki, trilece, and many more.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Stage<\/b><\/td>\nDescription<\/b><\/td>\nAcco<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Saturday<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrival: Tirana<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Arrival: pick up rental bikes, and\/or assemble bikes. Lunch in Tirana and a city tour. If the schedule allows optional trail in Tirana, unique terrain with slick rocks<\/span><\/td>\nGuesthouse Peshkopi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Sunday\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 1: Hinoske<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shuttle to Hinoske and bike up to peak above (2028m). Descent from the peak through the mountain village of Ilnice. At the end of the descent a refreshing cooldown in Black Drin (378m). Continue trail to Hotesh for pickup by shuttle.<\/span><\/td>\nGuesthouse Korabi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Monday<\/span><\/p>\n

stage 2<\/span>:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Korab summit<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Shuttle from Radomire to the midpoint (1757m). This is the toughest day with a climb of 1007 altimeters to the Korab Peak (2764m).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Optional on request: ascent to the peak on horseback<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Guesthouse Caje<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Tuesday<\/span><\/p>\n

stage 3: Shishtavec<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shuttle to Shishtavec on the border with Kosovo. Downhill to Fshat following the High Scardus Trail. Transfer to Prizren, Kosovo<\/span><\/td>\nGuesthouse Prizren<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Wednesday<\/span><\/p>\n

stage 4: Skarpa<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

From Skarpa (2476m) to Prizren Castle, a descent of 2060 vertical meters. Enjoy the splendid view over Prizren, a picturesque city known for its rich history, Ottoman-era buildings, and lively cultural scene.<\/span><\/td>\nHostel Bora<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Thursday<\/span><\/p>\n

stage 5:\u00a0 Thanna Trail<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Shuttle in Peja to ride our guides\u2019 local \u2018Thanna Trail\u2019 (2x). Shuttle to approach Hajla Cabin, pedal last part. Unforgettable overnight stay in a wooden mountain cabin with a unique host who will tell you everything about the region's history, traditions, fauna, and flora.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nHajla Cabin (2000m)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Friday<\/span><\/p>\n

stage 6: Hajla<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Climb Hajla Peak (2403m) and descend over rocky singletrack and tractor roads to Rugova Canyon. Ride the canyon along the river to Peja (516m)<\/span><\/td>\nHostel Bora<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Saturday<\/span><\/p>\n

Departure<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Transfer to the airport<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*certain stages may be changed with an equivalent alternative depending on the conditions<\/span><\/p>\n

Included:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • 6 stages with an average descent of >1600 altitude meters per day<\/li>\n
  • Professional mountain guides<\/li>\n
  • Adventurous 4x4 shuttles deep into the mountains<\/li>\n
  • Overnight stays in local guesthouses and mountain huts<\/li>\n
  • All meals (+ non-alcoholic drinks during meals)<\/li>\n
  • Transfers between stages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Not included:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Flight<\/li>\n
    • Mountain bike (local rental available)<\/li>\n
    • Alcoholic drinks<\/li>\n
    • Souvenirs & tips<\/li>\n
    • Travel insurance (KBF, NKBV)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Practical:<\/strong> This trip can be organized on request from mid-June to October for groups of 5-6 or 10-12 people. The program can be adapted according to your wishes, condition, and level. Suggested flights: arrival in Tirana and departure from Prishtina. Transfers can be arranged to and from Tirana, Skopje & Prishtina.<\/p>\n

      For more info: mail@rycetravel.com<\/a><\/p>\n