Theth, a mountain village 70 km from Shkodra, ranks among Albania’s most visited year-round destinations. This early autumn, the village is crowded with tourists. Visitors explore its natural wonders as well as its cultural and historical heritage.
Part of the Albanian Alps, Theth has become a hotspot for adventure and nature tourism. It draws both locals and foreigners seeking authentic experiences in the heart of the mountains.
Top attractions include the Blue Eye, the natural pools of Nderlysa, Grunas Waterfall, Grunas Canyon, the Theth-Valbona trail, the Cave of Arapi, and the Peaks of the Accursed Mountains.
The area’s natural wealth blends with local culture and traditions, creating a strong foundation for tourism growth.
Theth National Park
Theth National Park is located in the far northern part of Albania near the midway point of the border with Montenegro. The park covers an area of only 10.15 square miles (26.3 sq km) creating another small park within the country packed with astounding natural wonders.
The Albanian Alps and the Shala Valley are at the heart of the national park. Generally speaking, the park represents the characteristics of a high terrain landscape with sharp steep mountains. Along with the mountains of the Alps and the Shala Valley, the area is characterized by thick forests, meandering rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and striking rock formations.
The park is comprised of a diverse ecosystem that changes with elevation transitioning from the oak-dominated lower elevations moving into the beech forests as the elevations change. The alpine terrain at even higher elevations features junipers, shrubs, and alpine bluegrass.
These diverse ecosystems serve as home to a variety of wildlife species. The brown bear is the largest and for many the most exciting. Other popular wildlife includes chamois, roe deer, lynx, wild goat, and the gray wolf. The lesser kestrel and the golden eagle are two of the more exciting sightings from the 50 species of birds nesting or migrating through the park.