
Drive across Qafa e Lumbhardit
Albania, europe
20.3 km
827 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're heading to northern Albania and craving a real off-the-beaten-path experience, Qafa e Lumbhardit is calling your name. Tucked away in Shkodër County, this mountain pass will have you climbing to some serious altitude. Forget smooth sailing, though! We're talking a 20.3 km stretch of unpaved road (aka SH43) that winds its way from Fushë-Arrëz to Kimëz. Expect it narrow, steep, and in seriously rough shape, so a 4x4 is pretty much essential. But trust me, the bragging rights (and views) are totally worth it. You'll be smack dab in the Peaks of the Balkan Trail, experiencing Europe’s last true wilderness. Get ready for an epic ride!
Where is it?
Drive across Qafa e Lumbhardit is located in Albania (europe). Coordinates: 40.9865, 20.2672
Road Details
- Country
- Albania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 827 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.9865, 20.2672
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