Krorëza Beach Hiking Trail — Monasteries, Views & How to Get There

Krorëza Beach Hiking Trail begins at the guarded gate before Kakome Beach and leads to the right through a mountain ridge.

General Information About Kakome and Krorez Beaches

As of September 1, 2024, Kakome Beach has been closed to visitors.

Important: Kakome Beach is inaccessible (closed) immediately after the summer season ends.

The current season has ended, and the security guards at the gate did not allow tourists to enter Kakome Beach.

How to Reach Krorez Beach

Signpost by the Road

Leave your car near the guarded gate by the road.

Then walk up the dirt road to the right. A signpost by the road will guide you in the right direction.

There are no other mountain trails leading to Krorez Beach.

Turn onto the Dirt Road

There is a guarded gate on the road to Kakome Beach.

Before reaching the gate, there is a right turn onto a dirt road.

This is where you need to turn right and continue along the road.

Monastery of Saint Mary

A dirt road leads to the Monastery of Saint Mary (Manastiri i Shën Marisë).

About 500 meters into the trail, you will reach the monastery.

Tip: Step inside and explore the medieval monastery.

It is located on an elevated area, offering stunning views of the surroundings.

You will enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and Kakome Bay.

Trail Through the Mountain

Climbing to the Mountain Peak

The trail continues uphill along the mountain slope until it reaches the peak with a bunker.

There is a viewpoint at the top. From there, the trail descends to the southern Krorez Beach.

The trail reaches the shore near a café in the center of the southern Krorez Beach.

The distance from the signpost to the beach is 3.2 km, and the hike takes approximately 1.5 hours (excluding time spent at the monastery).

In reality, the journey may take around 2 hours one way.

The duration depends on your endurance, fitness level, and time spent exploring the monasteries.

Appearance of the Trail

The trail ascends the mountain slope.

Although climbing uphill in summer can be difficult, keep moving towards the peak.

Look around, take breaks, and capture the natural beauty in photos.

Albania’s landscapes are pristine — they please the eye and warm the soul.

Bunker at the Peak

At the top of the mountain, there is a bunker overgrown with bushes. It is not particularly interesting, but it is there, and I explored it.

Take a break at the peak before continuing down to Krorez Beach.

Challenges When Descending to the Beach

The trail has some tricky sections when descending from the bunker to the southern Krorez Beach, with sharp turns in opposite directions. Pay close attention to the signs.

Throughout the trail, there are signs with colorful text and painted markers on rocks and trees: a red stripe on a white background.

Misleading Signpost

I nearly got lost because I misunderstood a signpost on the trail.

For example, the “left turn” sign looks like a “right turn.”

Important: In the mountains, follow the stripe, not the angle between two stripes.

On the sign, you will see two stripes: one indicates the current direction, and the other shows the next direction. Follow the last stripe.

Essentially, the main trail continues straight, but you need to take a sharp left turn downward. If you focus on the angle, it may appear to point in the wrong direction.

The correct trail turns back sharply to the left, even though the wide main trail along the ridge continues straight.

A shepherd I met on the trail helped me understand this left turn. He showed me the correct way to the shore.

Speaking Albanian with the shepherd helped me quickly connect with him. Moreover, he guided me to the Krorez Monastery — for which I am very grateful!

At first, I mistakenly followed the ridge and had to backtrack, losing time.

Krorez Monastery

While descending to Krorez Beach, you will pass a small old monastery on the trail. It will attract the attention of history enthusiasts.

From the monastery, the beach is about 100 meters away.

Take a break and snap a photo at the chapel entrance as a keepsake.

What Makes This Mountain Trail Interesting

Any mountain trail is an adventure filled with emotions and new impressions of the world.

Krorëza Beach Hiking Trail is no exception — it is scenic and engaging.

What you will see:

• Two monasteries from different historical periods
• Panoramic views of the Kakome Valley
• Views of Krorez Beach from above and up close
• A chance to swim in the crystal-clear, eco-friendly sea and have coffee at a beachfront café
• A walk around Krorez Beach with fascinating rock formations along the shore

In short, this day will not be wasted — you will see for yourself.

Tips for Travelers

Keep in mind that hiking uphill in high summer temperatures can be exhausting, especially with a heavy backpack.

Tips:

• Take short breaks, then keep moving forward and upward.
• Bring plenty of water.
• The uphill hike takes about 30-40 minutes from the monastery.
• The descent to the beach takes around 30 minutes — if you don’t get lost.
• Be attentive and follow the tips to avoid getting lost and wasting time.

I hope you will remember Krorëza Beach Hiking Trail.

To learn more about Albania’s remote destinations, read the article Unique Places in Albania — Routes Away from the Cities. Here you’ll find both off-the-beaten-path routes and excursions to Sazan and Karaburun.

Shorts: Krorez Beach, Albania, near Saranda

Date of shooting: September 4, 2024.

The video shows the shore of Krorez Beach in Albania, vacationers, and the view of excursion boats from Saranda. The blue sea, mountains, and picturesque coastal landscape are visible.

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