Albania is without question one of Europe's best kept secrets. Ancient Roman history rubs shoulders with some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery you can imagine. Waterfalls and Blue Eye pools, charming mountain villages, a Mediterranean climate, delicious food and empty trails await.
Spending four core days running among the mountains and valleys of the Albanian Alps, we traverse the high peaks that run the natural border between Albania and neighbouring Montenegro. We run empty trails through lush alpine meadows past waterfalls, with impromptu stops to bathe in natural springs. Nightly accommodation is cosy mountain lodges with delicious Albanian cuisine and wine.
Alongside the Alps, we spend time in Tirana — one of Europe's most surprising and characterful capitals — for some urban running and cultural exploration among the communist-era sights.
We stay in one of the newest hotels in central Tirana — either the Oxford, Plaza or Boka. Spacious rooms, contemporary design and easy access for exploring the city on foot. Well-located in the heart of the downtown district with everything on the doorstep.
Alpine-style guesthouses surrounded by meadows, with the gentle sounds of streams and panoramic views of the Accursed Mountains from every room. Clean, charming and full of character — they serve up ample amounts of delicious Albanian cuisine and form the unforgettable backbone of the trip.
Every Pure Trails trip is led by guides who know the terrain intimately. Click to meet your team.
Chat directly with Charlie & the team — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about whether Albania is the right trip for you.
Book Your Free Call →We specialise in arranging excellent trail running holidays but do not book international flights. There is a great variety of flights departing from all over the world to Tirana International Airport (TIA), with direct services from London Gatwick and a number of European hubs.
We will discuss with you our trusted and recommended ways to book international flights through excellent ATOL-protected partners who offer great value, ease of service and flight protection.
On arrival day we host a group transfer from Tirana Airport into the mountains — typically a 2.5 to 3 hour drive depending on the route. Please aim to land before 14:00 where possible to make the most of the first evening. On departure day, the group transfers back to Tirana Airport after breakfast — we suggest booking return flights departing no earlier than 14:00.
British citizens can enter and remain in Albania for a maximum of 90 days in every 6-month period without a visa. We recommend checking the latest entry requirements for your nationality before booking.
Albania is not a member of the EU or Schengen Area, so it does not count towards your 90-day Schengen allowance. Entry is straightforward and border formalities are quick and hassle-free.
Trail running in Albania is an absolute treat. The country is still well off the beaten path with very few travellers making it into the Albanian Alps — so expect the trails to be empty.
We'll travel through beech forests, lush meadows and open pastures, mostly on soft grass in the entry valleys, surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Accursed Mountains. At times we will cross from one valley to the next, climbing steeper paths with boulder and dry rock sections. Our maximum altitude reaches around 1,500m.
On days without vehicle access, large luggage will be transported by pack mules — one of the many reminders that you are somewhere genuinely wild and remote. Trail shoes with good grip and ankle support are essential. Road shoes are not suitable.
Albania enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Throughout June we can expect temperatures in the early to mid 20s°C. The mountain air is refreshingly cool on clear days, with temperatures dropping to the high teens°C at night. The conditions are absolutely perfect for trail running.
Higher up in the Accursed Mountains, temperatures can drop more significantly and conditions can change quickly — a lightweight waterproof and mid layer are worth packing regardless of the forecast. We always monitor conditions closely and will communicate any adjustments to the itinerary clearly in advance.
Being a group of max. 10 runners with a mixture of ages and running abilities, we may decide to split into flexible groups — all of which will be supported by our Albanian running guides who travel with us throughout the trip.
Splitting the group allows everyone to move more fluidly, running at their own comfortable pace without feeling pressured. Our local Albanian guide Baton Gashi knows every metre of these trails — his knowledge of the mountains, the culture and the terrain is an integral part of what makes this trip so special.
Albania is graded Adventurous — it's a step up from our entry-level trips and requires a genuine base of trail running fitness. Daily distances of 11–16km may sound manageable, but these routes involve meaningful elevation gain and loss across consecutive days, often on uneven and sometimes technical terrain.
As a guide, we'd suggest you're comfortably running 20–30km per week with some back-to-back running days in your training. Experience of running on hilly or off-road terrain is helpful, though not essential if your fitness is solid. The biggest days involve climbing to around 1,500m, which requires good cardiovascular fitness and strong legs.
If you're in any doubt, just get in touch before booking — we're always happy to have an honest conversation about whether the trip is the right fit for you at this point in your training.
Accommodation in Albania is a genuine highlight of the trip — a mix of boutique mountain guesthouses and small lodges, many family-run, with delicious home-cooked Albanian food and a warmth of hospitality that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in Europe.
The mountain guesthouses are comfortable and characterful rather than luxury — expect en-suite or shared bathrooms, hearty breakfasts, and evenings around the table with local wine and food. We also spend time in Shkodra and Tirana, where the accommodation is hotel standard. Full board is included throughout — all breakfasts, lunches and evening meals are provided.
Completely normal — nearly 90% of our guests arrive on their own. Pure Trails is deliberately designed around the solo traveller experience. Albania in particular is a trip that creates an unusually strong group bond — the combination of remote terrain, shared adventure and a destination that genuinely surprises people tends to bring a group together very quickly.
Groups are capped at a maximum of 10 guests, which keeps the dynamic intimate. If you'd like to speak with a previous Albania guest before booking, just ask — we're always happy to connect you.
Trail shoes with good grip and ankle support are essential — the terrain ranges from soft grass and forest paths to rocky ridgelines and boulder sections. Road shoes are not suitable. If you're not sure what to choose, get in touch and we can advise.
A running vest or lightweight pack is required each day to carry your water, snacks, a waterproof layer and personal medication. On days with vehicle access, larger bags are transported for you. On remote days without road access, luggage is moved by pack mule — so packing light and smart matters.
The full kit list is sent in your pre-departure pack three weeks before the trip. Key items include: trail shoes, running vest (1.5–2L minimum), waterproof jacket, mid layer, trekking poles (recommended for the steeper days), sun protection and any personal first aid or medication.
Yes — full board is included throughout the trip and our guides will brief the guesthouses and hotels in advance on any dietary requirements. Albanian cuisine is hearty and fresh, with plenty of grilled meats, vegetables, salads, cheeses and bread — vegetarians are generally well catered for.
Please note that in the more remote mountain guesthouses, menu variety is more limited than in a city restaurant, and vegan diets may be harder to accommodate fully. If you have specific requirements, let us know on your booking form and we'll do everything we can to make sure you're well fed throughout.
Travel insurance is mandatory for all Pure Trails guests and must be in place before departure. Your policy must cover trail running activity, medical evacuation and trip cancellation. A standard travel insurance policy will not cover trail running — please check the small print carefully and look for policies that specifically include adventure sports or trail running as a covered activity.
Given the remote nature of some sections of the Albania itinerary, medical evacuation cover is particularly important. We recommend providers such as Sports Cover Direct, Battleface or World Nomads, all of which offer appropriate cover for trail running in remote terrain. You'll be asked to provide your insurance details as part of your booking form.
Adventurous
Challenging