
Where is Thore Pass?
Albania, europe
55.5 km
1,691 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Want to tackle an unforgettable road trip in the Albanian Alps? Then get ready for Thore Pass, also known as Qafa e Thorës or Diagonal Pass. This epic route carves its way through Shkodër County in northwestern Albania.
The road, officially called SH21, stretches for 55.5km (34.4 miles) from Koplik in the west to Theth in the east, right through the heart of Theth National Park. Imagine stunning scenery at every turn!
Don't let the recent paving fool you – this road is still a thrill ride! It's narrow, and those edges… well, let's just say you'll want to keep your eyes on the road (unless you're a huge fan of seriously steep drops). You'll be climbing to 1.691m (5,547ft) with gradients reaching a maximum of 15% in places!
Heads up, though: Thore Pass is typically closed from November to May due to snow. Plus, maybe skip driving it on Sunday afternoons to avoid any potential traffic. But if you're not afraid of heights and crave incredible views, Thore Pass needs to be on your bucket list.
Road Details
- Country
- Albania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 55.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,691 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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