The departure is from Tirana towards Kukës, with a stop of about 30 minutes at the Drini Bridge. Then, the route passes through the old town of Kukës and continues towards Shishtavec. The population of this village speaks two languages: Albanian and Nashinkish, a language used by the indigenous Albanian population that was Slavized during the period of the Bulgarian Empire (681–1185–1396), in the region of Gora, which was once part of the Sandžak of Prizren, then the Vilayet of Prizren and today is included in the administrative territory of the Municipality of Kukës. The area of Shishtavec is located about 33 km southeast of the city of Kukës and is reached through the Vana Gorge (about 45 minutes). The village of Shishtavec lies within the Korab–Koritnik protected area. The Shishtavec Mountains plateau lies at an altitude of 900 to 2,130 meters above sea level. In this area there are several natural monuments, such as the Morning Stone, a forest of birch and oak trees, the Pine Plateau and the Artificial Lake (reservoir), among others.
The Morning Rock is a sandstone rock massif, located south of Shishtavec and declared a Natural Monument. It has served for centuries as a landmark for the roads connecting early civilizations in the Sharr Mountains area. It takes its name from the fact that the first rays of the sun create a halo of light around and above the rock. Located at an altitude of about 1,900 meters above sea level, this formation is a frequented destination for visitors who climb the Shishtavec mountain. The conical rock has a length of about 25 meters, a width of 13 meters and a height of 11 meters.
The Žifkëve Plateau is a pressed rock (slat), located on the ancient border between Shishtavec and the Sharr Mountains (Scardus). From a distance, this rock formation takes the shape of a human face and constitutes another unique natural element of the Sharr Mountains.
After visiting Shishtavec, the journey continues towards Tropoja. Immediately after disembarking from the Koman ferry in Fierzë, a stop is made at the cultural monument Ançit Church, in the village of Breg-Lumi. This is the only church in the territory of Tropoja and offers visitors knowledge about the historical, cultural and archaeological values of the area. The itinerary continues with a visit to Lekë Castle, in the village of Selimaj, and in the town of Rosujë, to then continue towards the village of Bujan, where two approximately 200-year-old towers are explored.
The Sali Man Tower and the Mic Sokoli Tower each have their own unique history and architecture, contributing to the unique cultural identity of Tropoja. In the village of Koçanaj, the visit includes two traditional houses – those of Adem Demaj and Mehmet Rama – which once served as meeting places for men’s assemblies, providing an important insight into local social and cultural life.
The journey continues a few kilometers further towards the Bajram Curri Mill, located at the entrance to the village of Shoshan, along with the corresponding castle. The mill is known thanks to the writings of Fan Noli, dedicated to the figure of Bajram Curri, who lost his life here in 1925. The Dragobi Cave is another attractive point for lovers of mountain hiking and nature exploration. The path to the cave is relatively easy, with a length of about 2.6 km and an altitude difference of about 300 meters (from 700 to 1,000 meters). This itinerary combines natural and cultural values, contributing to the further development of cultural and natural tourism in Tropoja.
Lake Xhemës is formed by rainfall and snowmelt and is located about 10–15 minutes off the main road. Surrounded by a small forest, the lake offers impressive views, especially in spring and autumn, when the water level is higher.
