Driving the road to Thore Pass is not a piece of cake

Thore Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.691m (5,547ft) above sea level, located in Shkodër County, Albania. The pass is traversed by the infamous Road SH21.

Qafa e Thorës

Where is Thore Pass?

The pass, also known as Qafa e Thorës and Diagonal Pass, is located in the Albanian Alps, in the northwestern part of the country.

Can you drive through Thore Pass in Albania?

The road to the summit is called SH21. The pass is 55.5km (34.4 miles) long, running west-east from Koplik (a city and urban municipality, serving as the capital of the Malësi e Madhe District) to Theth (a community in the Shalë municipality, Shkodër District, in Shkodër County).

Is the road to Thore Pass in Albania paved?

Surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, the road was fully paved in 2021. It is narrow, though, with a few turnouts in the newly paved section.

Is Thore Pass in Albania open?

The road was built in 1936 and is usually impassable from November to May.

How challenging is the road to Thore Pass in Albania?

Tucked away within Theth National Park, the road is pretty challenging and hairy. It features steep sections, hitting a 15% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. It’s narrow with high drops. Nothing too bad if you have no fear of heights. Avoid Sunday afternoons.
Pic: Rrustem Haradinaj *Mulosmani*

 

 

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