Secrets, stories, and surprising facts from Europe’s last wild frontier.
The Albanian Alps—Bjeshkët e Namuna or “The Accursed Mountains”—are as mysterious as they are beautiful. You may have seen their jagged peaks and remote valleys, but here are ten facts and stories that reveal their deeper magic.
1. The Name Carries a Curse
Legends of the Accursed Mountains
Some say the mountains were cursed after shepherds broke sacred oaths. Others believe the name reflects their challenging terrain—where snow can seal off villages for half the year. Either way, the name has endured through centuries.
2. A Wilderness Left Untamed
No Ski Resorts, No Crowds—Just Nature
Unlike much of Europe, the Albanian Alps remain raw, wild, and sparsely developed. Their deep valleys, rocky passes, and ancient forests make them one of the continent’s few untouched mountain ranges.
3. The Kanun Lives On
A Code of Honor That Shapes Life
Highlanders still respect the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini—a centuries-old set of laws dictating hospitality, property rights, and the sacred besa (a word of honor). Guests are treated as part of the family, even if they’ve just arrived.
4. Crossing Borders on Foot
The Peaks of the Balkans Trail
Hikers can walk from Albania into Montenegro or Kosovo via high-mountain passes, often with nothing more than a friendly greeting from a border officer.
(See our Albanian Alps: Uncharted Routes trip for more inspiration.)
5. A Botanical Wonderland
1,800+ Plant Species in One Region
Rare orchids, alpine herbs, and wild berries thrive here. Spring turns the meadows into natural carpets of color, while locals still forage plants for tea and natural medicine.
6. Theth’s Stone Church Tells a Story
Built in 1892, a Beacon in Hard Times
This picturesque church stood quietly during Albania’s communist era, when religion was banned, and became a subtle act of defiance for the community.
7. A Trail That Was Once a Lifeline
The Valbona–Theth Connection
Before it became a hiker’s dream, the Valbona to Theth trail was essential for trade, family visits, and seasonal migrations between valleys.
8. Waterfalls and Gorges in Every Valley
More Than Just Grunas Waterfall
While Grunas is famous, many smaller falls appear after heavy rain. Hidden gorges like the Shala River Canyon offer crystal-clear pools for swimming in summer.
9. Highland Cuisine You’ve Never Tasted
Flija, Cheese, and Fire-Cooked Bread
Meals here are as authentic as they come—flour from the valley, cheese aged in mountain caves, and flija, a celebratory dish baked under coals, layered with cream and butter.
10. The Night Sky Will Stop You in Your Tracks
A Milky Way You Can Actually See
With almost no light pollution, summer nights reveal the Milky Way in full brilliance—so bright it casts a faint glow over the mountain ridges.
Why Visit Now?
The Albanian Alps are changing, but slowly. Travelers still find a culture, landscape, and way of life that feels rare in today’s Europe. Whether you’re here to hike, connect with locals, or simply breathe in the mountain air, you’ll leave with memories unlike anywhere else.
Ready to Plan Your Adventure?
Browse our Alps trips or contact us to start your journey.