hi,

planning to ride through north-eastern albania this summer (july). considering to enter from kosovo (prizren road) and cross to kukes. on to roshit and would love to take the ferry at fierze and the boatride across on lake komani, then continue via komani to kruje or tirana.

we will be two girls on one dr 650 so i wonder:

-what the road is like from kukes-fierze. tarmac or offroad? or just big potholes?
-riding times (normal speed, thank you) border-kukes & kukes-fierze?
-is there only one boat a day, are there two in summer, or does it depend on the mood of the day? when are they - hours in travel guides vary?
-aparently the road from komani upto qyrsac is not sealed and rather eh... time-consuming. is that so?
-would it cause any problems that we're two girls? apart from the usual stares at girls on bikes?
-suggestions for bike-safe lodging welcome.


thank you!!
g

Heya,

I'm in Albania at the moment, and planning on taking the komani ferry in a couple of days, so I'll let you know what I find out!

There is a new road opening any day now that runs more or less between Kosovo and Durres, but I don't know about getting on and off it - it may be a better way of getting to Komani from that side (I'm planning on coming from the coast).

I've been a girl on my own in Eastern europe for 2 months now, and until yesterday had no problem - a guy in Butrint tried to grope me (and missed!). He is however definitely the exception - everyone else I have met has been wonderfully friendly and welcoming, the manager at Butrint drove over in person to make sure it was sorted out after I reported what had happened, and to be honest it's something that's happened to me at home, one bad person not a bad country.

Again will post more info about the north of the country when I've been there! Feel free to PM me with more questions if you want.

Laura

The road from Kukes to Fierze is pretty good in albanian terms. It is tarmac, but the part from Roshit to Fierze has got several larger contruction sites. If I remember correctky it tok me roughly 4 hrs from Fierze to Kukes. In Kukes I stayed in the "Hotel Europa". If you want to keep up with Mr. Kofi Annan - he stayed in the "Hotel America" at the time of the Kosovo crisis

The road from Komani to Qyrsac or Skoder is pretty rough, but for any enduro quite doable, even two up. Just takes it's time. Took me from Skoder to Komani also about 4 hrs. Add 1-2 hrs for safety's sake.

There was only one ferry a day in October last year, but I was told that there are two during summer months, leaving from Koman at 10am and 4pm. takes about 3 hrs to Fierze, so there should be one from Fierze leaving around 1pm. Waiting at the ferry port at 12 should be safe.

Getting there isn't easy. No signs at all... When you enter Fierze coming from Kukes you will cross the bridge over the lake Komani. In the village centre turn left, travelling along the northern shore of the lake on a dirt road. After roughly 3-5 kms you will see a semi sunken old boat. That's the ferry port...

If you need any gps coordinates, just shout.

I believe Albania is pretty safe for women as well, esp. since you're two. Just stick to normal rules for travellers...

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

thanks a lot both.

@vaufi,

yes please, gps coordinates would be great! one more question:

kukes to fierze= 4hrs
boat = 3 hrs
komani to skhoder= 4 hrs (+2)
13 hrs. so you slept in kukes and in skhoder? i suppose there's nothing in fierze?


@laura:

yes please, keep us posted on the ferry experience! i've read about the kosovo-durres road, but it's not on my map yet. isn't it cutting lower?

thx again!
g

There is a hotel in Komani, but was closed in October - out of season. So I camped on a patch of lawn next to the school ;-)

In Skoder I had a room in the Kolping House, but that was pretty expensive for AL. 30 Euros... It shouldn't be a problem though to find cheaper hotels. In Kukes I slept in the Hotel Europa (10 Euros for a room).

Your email address isn't accessible on the HUBB, but if you send me an email via my HUBB-profile I'll send you the gps data. Includes several tracks and waypoints of the places I stayed overnight.

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

Just a heads up.

The British Foreign Office is still advising against travel to the NE area. I am not saying don't go, just be aware, one of the consequences is, it may invalidate your health insurance.
Check your home country advice.

Steve



We advise against all travel to the north east border areas (i.e. the districts of Kukes, Has and Tropoje) between Albania and Kosovo because of the risk of unexploded ordnance placed during the 1999 Kosovo crisis and the poor condition of the roads.