Cycle the Backroads of Albania

It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we’ve found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We also send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated!

All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the amazing landscape with your fellow tourers. You will cycle at your own pace, with regular stops to regroup so that no-one gets left behind. These trips are not just open to lycra-clad roadies, although those are welcome too!

Have a read of our article on cycling difficulty levels for further information on selecting the right level of bike adventure for you.

You'll be riding Ghost Square Cross bike, with light aluminum frame, hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension. You'll need to let your host know your height, to ensure the correct frame size is supplied.

The bikes are equipped with two water bottle cages, a pannier rack and one small bag (using a pannier is optional). They all come with standard flat pedals and male/standard saddles. If you would rather pack your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), please do – and these will be fitted for you. Please note, pedal size should be 9/16 20 threads per inch and bike saddle rails should be 7mm in diameter with a standard of 44mm width.

On most days, yes. However, on two days there will be a transfer (driving durations are stated in the itinerary above) to get you between the cycling routes – this is to keep you away from unpleasantly busy roads, and on the best cycle routes.

The guide-to-cyclist ratio on this trip is 1:8, meaning that for groups of nine or more people, there will be two cycle guides. Throughout, you will also be accompanied by a support vehicle, driven by a bike mechanic.

In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned rides on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an alternative route or activity will be offered.

The support vehicle will have large containers of water that you are able to top your water bottles up with. Most hotels will also provide safe drinking water, so ensure you bring your refillable bottle – it should not be necessary to buy single-use water bottles.

This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme highs, where limited shade and high humidity can also be a factor. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but hydration, proper clothing, and sun protection are essential.

Before travelling, consider your ability to be active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have any cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two prior to the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Albania has a temperate, Mediterranean climate. The best time to cycle is in spring (from April to the end of May), or in autumn (between September and November) when temperatures are milder, reaching daytime highs of 22-26°C. The mountainous regions of Gramoz and Llogara National Park tend to feel cooler due to the higher altitude, with temperatures between 15-19 °C in spring and autumn and the possibility of stronger winds. While Albania enjoys a great amount of sunshine, rain can be expected at any time of the year so you should be prepared for all eventualities.