How to drive the challenging road from Permet to Carcove in southern Albania?

How to drive the challenging road from Permet to Carcove in southern Albania?

Albania, europe

Length

27.8 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure time! Wanna tackle a wild ride through southern Albania? This trek from Përmet to Çarçovë in Gjirokastër County is seriously epic, but heads up — it's not for the faint of heart.

We’re talking the SH75, and it's a mix of decent pavement and some rougher, unpaved stuff. The road hugs the Vjosa River, so expect seriously narrow sections and some major drop-offs that'll get your adrenaline pumping!

This hidden gem winds for about 28 kilometers (that's roughly 17 miles) from Përmet through Petran, finally landing you in Çarçovë. Plus, you're smack-dab in the Fir of Hotova National Park, so the scenery is absolutely killer. Trust me, the views alone are worth the nail-biting drive... just keep your eyes on the road!

Where is it?

How to drive the challenging road from Permet to Carcove in southern Albania? is located in Albania (europe). Coordinates: 40.9854, 20.0995

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Road Details

Country
Albania
Continent
europe
Length
27.8 km
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
40.9854, 20.0995

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