Llogara Pass crosses the coastal range separating the Bay of Vlorë from the Albanian Riviera, offering one of the most photogenic climbs in the Balkans, all tight hairpins and drop-away views of the Ionian Sea.
A switchback climb toward the Ionian Sea
From Dukat i Ri, the road climbs 13.7 km for 861 m of elevation gain, at an average of 6.3% and a maximum of 10.2%, crossing more than twelve tight hairpins typical of the great Mediterranean climbs. As altitude increases, the vegetation shifts: low scrubland in the valley bottom gives way to black pine and fir forest lining the road for the second half of the climb.
Llogara National Park
The pass tops out at 1,027 m in the heart of Llogara National Park, created to protect this high-altitude conifer forest, a striking contrast with the Mediterranean climate of the nearby coastline. From several viewpoints along the road, the panorama stretches over the wild Karaburun Peninsula and, on a clear day, as far as Italy’s Puglia coast.
On the road
The surface, generally in good condition, stays narrow in places, with heavy summer traffic since the road connects Vlorë to Sarandë and serves as a major tourist artery of the Albanian Riviera in season. Riding early in the morning is worth it for calmer traffic and cooler temperatures.
Good to know
The best window runs from April to October. Vlorë, the start town, has a good range of accommodation and lets you pair the climb with exploring the bay and its beaches before crossing over to the Albanian Riviera on the pass’s southern side.
