Pellumbas Cave and Petrelë Castle Day Trip from Tirana: Cave Bears, Stalactites and Hilltop Views

Tirana•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

4–5 hours

Fitness Level

Moderate — able to handle an hour of uphill hiking on uneven terrain and short climbs at the castle

Overview

In a half-day from Tirana you can trade the city for a limestone gorge, an hour-long climb and a cave where cave-bear bones and Paleolithic artifacts sleep in the dark. Finish at Petrelë Castle with sweeping views and a taste of rural Albanian hospitality.

Pellumbas Cave and Petrelë Castle Day Trip from Tirana: Cave Bears, Stalactites and Hilltop Views

Bus Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You leave Tirana with the city’s concrete geometry receding in the rearview as the road climbs into limestone hills. Within forty minutes the air thins and the scrubby oaks press closer; a small village appears with stone houses and drying figs. From the parking area a narrow footpath threads uphill—this is the beginning of the Black Cave, known locally as Shpella e Zezë.

Adventure Photos

Pellumbas Cave and Petrelë Castle Day Trip from Tirana: Cave Bears, Stalactites and Hilltop Views photo 1

Adventure Tips

Sturdy shoes only

The trail to the cave is rocky and uneven—wear ankle-supporting hiking shoes to prevent twists and scrapes.

Bring water and snacks

There’s no reliable food or water on the trail; carry at least 1–1.5 liters and a compact snack for energy.

Headlamp for cave photography

The cave interior is dim—use a headlamp to navigate and a camera with a slow shutter or high ISO for photos.

Pace the descent

Loose stones make the return downhill easy to rush; descend deliberately to protect knees and avoid falls.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Common pipistrelle and other small bat species
Red foxes and occasional wild boar signs in the surrounding hills

History

Petrelë Castle includes a 6th-century tower linked in local tradition to Emperor Justinian and later 15th-century fortifications that reflect Albania’s medieval defensive history.

Conservation

The cave hosts sensitive archaeological deposits and bat colonies; visitors are asked to avoid touching formations and to follow group-size limits to reduce disturbance.