Shkallnur – Hills, Farm Life and Coastal Views

A stay in Shkallnur can focus on a range of interests: the Kodrat e Shkallnurit, with opportunities for outdoor activities; the Pema e Jetës agritourism farm; and Kodra e Kuajve, which offers horse rides. The cultural heritage in the Rrashbull area also gives your trip another point of interest.

Hiking and activities in the hills

The Kodrat e Shkallnurit are suitable for hiking, nature walks, picnics and mountain biking. The hilly landscape near the sea offers panoramic views. There is also a route in the hills that can be walked and is approximately 10.4 kilometres long. Treat this as an approximate distance; check local trail conditions before setting out. This gives you both several different activities to choose from and a specific distance to help with your planning.

Hiking and mountain biking differ in how you get around, while a walk or picnic offers another way to spend time in nature. Which option suits your trip depends on how you would like to spend your time in the hills. The panoramic views and hilly terrain define the character of the landscape, but do not indicate a particular route or difficulty level.

Farm life and local produce at Pema e Jetës

Pema e Jetës is located in the village of Shkallnur. The restaurant prepares and serves fresh meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and baked goods from the farm every day. The farm has more than 200 goji plants, whose fruit is used in the restaurant’s dishes. Visitors can also pick produce from the gardens and cultivated areas and enjoy it either at the restaurant or at home. The offer therefore includes both meals made with farm-grown products and the opportunity to choose something yourself from the cultivated areas.

The “A Day in the Life of a Farmer” activity is for individuals or families who would like to take part in daily agricultural and livestock work alongside the farm staff. Children can also visit the stables and animal shelters accompanied by staff, and use designated play areas. These are specific parts of the farm’s offer for families; taking part in the work and visiting the animal areas with a staff member are separate activities.

Horse rides and restaurant at Kodra e Kuajve

Kodra e Kuajve is located at the summit of Shkallnur Hill and offers views of the Durrës coastline. Guided horse rides are available there, with 15 horses of various breeds and riding instructors. This distinguishes it from the walking and hiking opportunities in the Kodrat e Shkallnurit: here, the focus is on guided riding. The Kodra e Kuajve restaurant serves traditional Albanian dishes as well as fresh local produce.

Culture in the Rrashbull area

Shkallnur is part of the Rrashbull area; Arapaj is also a village in this area. The Basilica of Saint Michael is located there. It has a polychrome floor mosaic and was declared a first-category cultural monument in 1987. Arapaj is therefore a cultural point of interest in the wider area in its own right, not a district of Shkallnur.

Getting there

Pema e Jetës is two kilometres from the Plepa–Ndroq national road and can be reached from Tirana and Durrës. Since access directions can change with road conditions, check your route before travelling. City bus line 2 runs on the Durrës–Unazë–Kënetë–Plepa route and stops in Shkallnur in both directions. Check the route details before travelling so you can plan your journey using the latest service information.

Discover more destinations: Tapizë, Kruja District, Shijak, Fushë-Kruje, Maminas, Durrës, Rinas, Shetaj

See the overview of the wider travel area: Durrës County.