Where is SH20 road in Albania?

Where is SH20 road in Albania?

Albania, europe

Length

30 km

Elevation

684 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: SH20, a hidden gem in Albania's Shkodër County, practically hugging the Montenegro border. This 30km (18.6 miles) stretch of pure driving bliss snakes its way from Hani i Hotit to Tamarë.

Worried about conditions? Fear not! This road got a major glow-up and was completely paved in 2016. And past Tamare towards the border? That was done in 2018. There's just a tiny bit of gravel right before you hit the border.

Now, here's the kicker: SH20 is a well-kept secret. Seriously, it's like nobody knows it's been resurfaced, so traffic is practically non-existent. Translation? Twisty roads all to yourself!

Get ready for a workout – this road climbs with an average gradient of 7% and a zillion hairpin turns. But trust me, the views are worth every single shift of the gear. You'll be carving through massive rocky mountains, following the Cem Selcit river, with incredible scenery around every bend. Keep your eyes peeled for old bunkers and abandoned military houses – little slices of history along the way. Cyclists and motorcyclists adore this route, and you will, too.

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Road Details

Country
Albania
Continent
europe
Length
30 km
Max Elevation
684 m
Difficulty
hard

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