Overview
This stage is a moderate hiking route through the foothills of the Lunxhëria Mountains, above the Drino Valley in southern Albania. The route follows a combination of dirt roads, old mule tracks, narrow shepherd paths, and short cobbled or gravel sections near the villages, each one with its own landmarks telling stories of life and worship through generations. Between the ridge sections and the approach to Libohovë, hikers encounter narrow traverses that offer an alpine feeling. Every village has freshwater sources.
Trail profile
Trail description
From Fushë Nepravishtë, the trail follows the valley toward the village cemetery before ascending to the first neighborhood of Nepravishtë. A small but worthy detour takes you to the Tekke of Melan, before continuing to the old neighbourhood of Nepravishtë. The trail then passes through the meadows and summer pastures of Revanishtë, descending to Libohovë at the legendary 600-year-old Plane tree of Zhapa.
From there, it climbs to the Castle of Libohovë, continuing on to Labovë e Kryqit (Labova of the Cross). The trail from Nepravishtë to Libohovë follows the mountain slopes of the Lunxhëri range, the Drinos Valley, and the city of Gjirokastër across, at the bottom of the Wide Mountain (Mali i Gjerë). When approaching Libohovë, a beautiful panorama opens over the valley, including the Doftia Reservoir, a small lake surrounded by greenery.
Leaving the historic Libohovë behind, two monuments appear on either side: the Clock Tower built in the 17th century by the Bey family, while on the right rises Libohovë's Castle. From Libohovë to the next village of Lower Labovë, the trail is moderate in difficulty, crossing rocky terrain, meadow paths, and gentle ascents through landscapes rich in shrubs and oak forests, all the way to Lower Labovë & Labovë of the Cross, the upper neighborhood.
Accommodation & services
Taverna Drita
A local gem — a simple taverna with delicious traditional food.
Nearby attractions
Libohovë
A small town at 450 m above sea level, offering impressive scenery, rich in history and culture. The trail ends near a 600-year-old plane tree in the town center, a protected natural monument and symbol of Libohovë, historically an important gathering and strategic point for the town.
The Clock Tower of Libohovë
Built in the 17th century by the Bey family.
Libohovë Castle
Built between 1796 and 1798 by Ali Pashë Tepelena as a wedding gift for his sister Shanisha. Declared a first-category Cultural Monument in 1963, it has a quadrangular shape measuring 70 m by 80 m and is protected by three polygonal towers and an irregular bastion.
The Church of Labovë e Kryqit
Declared a Cultural Monument in 1963, it is one of the oldest churches in Albania. It is believed to have once housed a sacred relic, thought to be part of the True Cross of Christ — giving the village its name. A typical Byzantine structure originally built in 554 during the reign of Emperor Justinian the Great, its interior shows at least nine distinct layers of frescoes, mainly from the 13th century and the Despotate of Epirus period.