{"id":18181,"date":"2024-06-01T11:51:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T09:51:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=18181"},"modified":"2024-06-01T11:51:35","modified_gmt":"2024-06-01T09:51:35","slug":"cycling-destination-albania-from-vlore-explore-the-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/fietsbestemming-albanie-vanuit-vlore-de-regio-verkennen","title":{"rendered":"Cycling destination Albania: exploring the region from Vl\u00f6re"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Balkans have received a lot of attention recently. Not only because of the Transdinarica Route<\/a>, which appeared in the LonelyPlanet \u2018best experiences 2024\u2019. But also because the COVID-19 crisis meant that people in general and cyclists in particular looked for less crowded holiday destinations. Areas that were previously skipped over became and continue to become popular all of a sudden. The relatively small country of Albania is one of them. Although Albania<\/a> Not necessarily known for its excellent cycling infrastructure, that\u2019s actually not the case. There is more than enough to do for every cyclist. Let\u2019s take a moment to focus on the beautiful coastal town of Vl\u00f6re (or Vlora, as it is written\/spoken in the local language). Albania lies at your feet here. Would you like to join us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A picture (c) Vlora Cycling Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eurovelo 8 along the coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vlor\u00eb is geographically located near Lecce in Italy. For some years now, the city has been part of the Eurovelo network. The Eurovelo 8 \u2013 Mediterranean Cycle Route<\/a>e \u2013 runs from Andalusia<\/a> All the way to Turkey, to Izmir, and even to Cyprus<\/a>. Along the way you follow the Mediterranean coast, from Spain, via France, across Italy towards the Balkans. There you arrive in Albania and Vl\u00f6re awaits you as a beautiful stopover. It is one of the important economic centers in Albania and from here the boat also departs to Italy (Brindisi). You can drive part of this route, for example from D\u00fcrres to Igoemenitsa (in Greece) or even earlier from Tirana. The part along the Albanian Riviera (from Vl\u00f6re southwards) is perhaps the most beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vlore at sunset (c) Vlora Cycling Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cycling destination Albania: beautiful climbs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That coastal route is by no means flat like in the Netherlands, that should be clear. From Vl\u00f6re you can therefore follow the EV8 and then you will soon come across a beautiful climb towards the south. The Llogara pass is one you should definitely include in your itinerary. With an average of 7% kilometers at 10 and some outliers reaching almost 10%, you have a wonderful challenge ahead. Many Alpencols can still improve on this climb. You can tackle it very well from Vl\u00f6re. You then drive up and down (and if you go for an extra challenge, you can drive on to Dh\u00ebrmi for a break and then back up and down). But this is one of the more beautiful climbs in Albania. Note that the climb from Dhermi is somewhat longer and has an elevation gain of 13%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A beautiful piece of asphalt in the Albanian interior (c) Vlora Cycling Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Albania is truly magnificent (c) Vlore Cycling Camp\/Jared Fontaine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n