Travel Guide Col De Llogara

This mountain pass is called Qafa e Logarasë in Albanian (pronounced "chafa é logaraseu"). It lies between the villages of Dukat (pop. 300, municipality of Vlora) and Palasa (pop. 400, municipality of Himara). The pass lies 13 km south of Dukat, 14 km northwest of Palasa, 40 km southeast of Vlora and 85 km northwest of Saranda. It can be reached by minibus between Vlora and Saranda.At an altitude of 1,043 m and less than 3 km from the coast, the Llogara pass is the gateway to the southern coast, nicknamed the "Albanian Riviera"(Riviera shqiptare). The road through the Acroceraunian Mountains is impressive, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Ionian Sea as you descend towards Palasa (1,000 m ascent!). The pass has always been an obstacle. Julius Caesar broke his teeth trying to cross this snowy pass in pursuit of Pompey in 48 BC. Today, it remains a dreaded spot, as clouds accumulate there, causing thunderstorms and reducing visibility. The most serious accident occurred on November 22, 1989, when two rescue helicopters crashed here, killing 23 people. But things are about to change with the Dikat-Palasa tunnel, due to open in 2024. The 5.9 km-long tunnel will take five minutes to pass under the pass. Lovers of beautiful scenery will still be able to opt for the current route (approx. 1h).