Via Egnatia

The best preserved Albanian section of the via Egnatia is in the area. So for my rest day I'll go for two hour jaunt and explore this 2000-year-old marvel that used to connect Dürres to Istanbul. I can do it in a nice loop.

I have a lot of questions for the Roman engineers. Why here, so high up on the hills? Why at 8 to 10% inclines? Why not keep the road more level? I can understand legions marching and couriers riding horses on this road but I do not see how the merchants moved their wares along here. I had enough trouble pushing my bicycle on the hobbly stony surfaces. They sure put a nice edge stone and a row of larger stones right down the middle giving it a distinct look.

Standing so high on this ancient road looking down at the new construction in the valley floor the 2000 year contrast springs to life.

After the first nice sections the road disappears here and there. Then it reappears again only to become a precarious hike a bike section but it's too late to turn around. So my rest day turns into a 6 and 1/2 hour adventure. No worries.Read more