{"id":18181,"date":"2024-06-01T11:51:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T09:51:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=18181"},"modified":"2025-05-11T10:12:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T08:12:12","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 LonelyPlanet's 'best experiences 2024'. But also because the COVID-19 crisis caused people in general and cyclists in particular to look for less crowded holiday areas. Areas previously skipped were and are suddenly becoming popular. The relatively small country of Albania is one of them. Although Albania<\/a> is not necessarily known for its outstanding cycling infrastructure, in reality it is different. There is more than enough to do for any cyclist. Now let's turn our attention to the beautiful coastal town of Vl\u00f6re (or Vlora, as it is written\/spoken in the local language). This is where Albania lies at your feet. Will you 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 at the level of Lecce in Italy. For several years, the city has been part of the Eurovelo network. The Eurovelo 8 - Mediterranean Cycle Rout<\/a>e - runs from Andalusia<\/a> all the way through to Turkey, near Izmir, and even as far as Cyprus<\/a>. Along the way, you follow the Mediterranean coast, from Spain, through France, across Italy towards the Balkans. So there you enter Albania and Vl\u00f6re awaits you as a wonderful stopover. It is one of the important economic centres in Albania and the boat to Italy (Brindisi) also departs from here. You can drive part of this route, for instance from D\u00fcrres to Igoumenitsa (in Greece) or earlier from Tirana. The part along the Albanian Riviera<\/a> (from Vl\u00f6re to the south) is perhaps the most beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vl\u00f6re at sunset (c) Vlora Cycling Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

That coastal routes are by no means flat like those in the Netherlands should be obvious. So you can follow the EV8 from Vl\u00f6re and then, heading south, you'll come across a nice climb pretty soon. The Llogara pass is one to frame. With 10 kilometres at an average of 7% and peaks close to 10%, you have a wonderful challenge on your hands. This is something many alpine climbs can learn a lesson from. You can tackle this climb very well from Vl\u00f6re. You will have to cycle up and down it (and if you are looking for an extra challenge, you can continue to Dh\u00ebrmi for a break and then back up and down again). But this is one of the nicer climbs in Albania. Do note that the climb from Dhermi is a bit longer and has an outlier to 13%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A nice stretch of tarmac 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