The Golden Goat trekking
Hi, I am Frederik
and I will guide you together with our goats on a multi-day trek in the Korab mountains.
Yes, besides being a cozy guesthouse, The Golden Goat is also the only place in Europe where you can go hiking and camping in the wild with a herd of goats.
On this page you can read all about our goat treks and how to register for this unique experience!
Hike through the majestic Albanian mountain scenery and sleep under the stars together with your new furry friends.
Goat trekking
Imagine setting off into the wild Albanian mountains, walking side by side with curious goats, hear their bells echo through the valleys, and experience life the way local shepherds always have.
The Golden Goat combines mountain adventure with authentic farm life: you walk alongside the animals; help care for them and experience the charm of exploring Albania’s wild landscapes in a way that no ordinary hike can offer.
But – spoiler alert – be prepared to also let our goats ruin your idylic shepherd’s moments. Taking care of goats often has many similarities with guiding a bunch of pubering teenagers, all with their own character. Pintxo always likes to take the lead, Hermine likes to nibble on your backpack, Beyonce prefers to chill out as much as possible and Zeze never wants to go to bed.
A goat trek is an adventure so unusual and charming, that it instantly becomes the highlight of your trip.
We have created three different programs, each with a different hiking level, to meet anyone’s expectations and abilities.
Discover our programs on the next page. (link)
A goat trek is an adventure so unusual
and charming, that it instantly becomes the highlight of your trip.
Our goats aren’t just animals in the landscape; they are your hiking companions.
Korab
mountains
Each goat trek leaves from our guesthouse in Ploshtan and will take you through the wonderful Korab-Koritnik Nature Park. The Korab mountains have an alpine terrain, with valleys, rivers, glacial lakes, caves, canyons and dense forest. In this protected area the last real shepherds live with their large flocks of sheep, next to wild animals such as wolves, bears, eagles and even the highly endangered Balkan lynx. The Korab-Koritnik Nature Park also has Albania’s highest mountain, Mt Korabi (2764m), and is the perfect region for a varied multi-day goat trek.
The Korab mountains is a mountain range with alpine terrain where wolves, bears and eagles live.
Yes,
wild nature starts at our doorstep.
Your guide
Hi,I am Frederik and I will be your guide on the goat trek in the Korab mountains.
In a parallel universe I am a Belgian documentary photographer. The past 15 years I dedicated part of my life to documenting people living in mountainous areas in Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. Growing up as a city boy, I ‘ve always been fascinated and passionate by these far-away worlds. Documenting life in remote natural environments gave me the chance to also experience this lifestyle myself.
While documenting I spent a lot of my time hiking solo in this area and I learned how to be a mountain goat myself.
The Korab mountains feel like my backyard.
It would be a pleasure for me to guide you and share my passion for hiking & the mountains in the companionship of my favorite goats.
And maybe I can teach you some shepherd skills too.
Are you ready to join me on a goat trek?
The Korab mountains have become my second home.
Who can join?
To find out if you are a match for our goat adventures, let us ask you these questions:
Do you like mountains and being in touch with nature?
Do you have a heart for animals?
Do you have some basic hiking experience and a good physical fitness?
Are you ready for a new and unique adventure?
Check, check, check and check?
Ok, let’s go then!!! ☺
Are you an adventurous animal lover?
Let's go then!
Choose your
program
We’ve created three different programs, each with a different hiking level and length.
There is a maximum of 8 people that can register per program.
Each of our programs always combines a multi-day goat trek with a stay of four additional nights at our guesthouse in Ploshtan—two nights before the trek and two nights after. These extra days in the village allow you to get to know our organization and the goats, learn about their care and handling, properly prepare your equipment, and be fully ready for the mountain trek. After returning, we spend time together to unwind in the tranquility of our village, enjoy delicious homecooked meals, and say a warm goodbye to your new goat-friends, making the experience complete and meaningful.
These are the three programs for which you can register:
Program 1: beginner level, 7 days/6 nights, including 3-day goat trek
Program 2: intermediate level, 8 days/7 nights, including 4-day goat trek
Program 3: advanced level, 10 days/9 nights, including 6-day goat trek
Are you a group of people, family or friends looking for a personal program? Or you prefer a more intimate and private program at a different timing?
Let us know so we can make you an offer that meets your expectations.
Choose your program.
Combine a stay at our guesthouse with a goat trek adapted to your adventure needs.
Hiking levels
Yes, you also have to hike yourself!
A goat trek is a physically demanding activity and should be taken serious when joining. It requires a certain minimal fitness and the right hiking equipment. But don’t worry, we will help you prepare for the trek and provide a detailed packing list.
There are three different multi-day goat treks: 3, 4 or 6 days.
Each trek also has a different level of hiking: beginner (3 days), intermediate (4 days) or advanced (6 days) level.
Each trek covers an average of 8–15 km per day with a daily elevation gain of 500–1,000 meters. Our 3- and 4-day beginner and intermediate routes are suitable for hikers with little to moderate experience.
The 6-day advanced trek has much more challenging terrain and is only advised for people with good hiking and camping experience. Also, water is much scarcer sometimes, which means you must carry more water over longer distances (=more weight on your back!). And of course, a 6-day trek asks more endurance of your body than a 3- or 4-day trek.
For camping you need to be prepared to sleep in tents at an altitude of 2000m-2400m every night. The sun can be scorching hot during the daytime, and nights up here can be very cold, even during the warm summer months.
And don’t forget, you will have to carry your own backpack, about 15 kg, from start to end. But luckily the goats are there to entertain you as much as they can to enlighten the weight on your back ;)
If you doubt which level suits you, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you choose the right level for you.
Choose the hiking level that suits you.
Dates & prices
Book your spot in one of our programs:
Program 1 – Beginner level - 7 days: € 1200 per person / 24-30 May 2026
Program 2 – Intermediate level – 8 days: € 1450 per person / 02-09 Sept 2026
Program 3 – Advanced level – 10 days: € 1700 per person / 21-30 August 2026
Each program has a group of minimum 4 and maximum 8 persons.
Included in all programs:
- goat trek (3, 4 or 6 days)
- transport from Tirana to guesthouse and back
- 4 nights in guesthouse (shared room)
- 4 days full pension (3 meals per day) in guesthouse
- mountain guide
- maintenance for goats
- tents for camping and gas canisters for cooking
Not included in your program:
- flights or transport to Albania
- travel insurance
- personal hiking and sleeping equipment (mattress, sleeping bag, ...)
- extra expenses (alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, …)
- freeze-dried meals for the days up in the mountains
Things to do
(without goats)
In case you want to spend some time without our goats - strange, but ok :) - and finished reading your book (please don’t forget to just relax), there are always a few things to do in or around Ploshtan.
Farming activities
Depending on the season, we can offer you some hands-on experiences in farming activities. Whether we must harvest the corn, take out potatoes, milk the cow, cut the woods for winter, make fresh cheese, shave our sheep, … If you like to make your hands dirty, you have come to the right place!
Nature & hiking
The Golden Goat is located in the Korab-Koritnik Nature Park in eastern Albania. This protected area is about 55 000 hectares of alpine mountainous terrain, with valleys, rivers, glacial lakes, caves, canyons and dense forest. Here many wild animals such as wolves, bears, eagles and even the highly endangered Balkan lynx still live. The Korab-Koritnik Nature Park is the perfect place for people who love hiking. Whether you prefer a small afternoon stroll or want to climb Albania’s highest mountain, this huge, protected area has endless possibilities for all levels of hikers.
But you don’t need to hike deep into the mountains to enjoy the beauty of our nature. You can also spot woodpeckers in our garden, hear the nightingale sing while having your morning coffee or go find fire salamanders at the nearby creek.
Here, nature starts at your doorstep.
Day trips
We can also recommend you a few very nice day activities in the area. You can go for a swim and a picnic at a crystal-clear river, find a magical waterfall in the next valley or go to the local market in the nearest city. Any of these day trips do need some preparation and transport.
Need our help?
We can help you prepare your getaway, arrange your transport or be your guide.
Reviews
Enya:“If you're dreaming of an unforgettable nature escape, authentic local experiences, and more goat cuddles than you ever thought possible — look no further.
We arrived at this peaceful haven for a much-needed moment to slow down. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, we truly got to pause, breathe, and soak in everything this special place has to offer. Honestly, we wish we had booked more than five nights.
It’s hard to put into words how meaningful and unique our time here was. We’ve only just returned to Belgium, and we already miss the peaceful rhythm of daily goat and sheep walks through the valley. We’ll be back next year for sure✨.”
Floreta: “Super host! Jetmir and Alltana and their beautiful family are very nice and welcoming. You go as a guest and they treat you as a family member, Impressed ! We will be back for sure!”
Layne: “We found this gem while cycling the Albanian mountains and LOVED it! Jetmir and his family welcomed us like old friends. The wood burning stove kept us toasty warm all night, and the breakfast was far beyond anything we’d hoped. We woke up to gorgeous mountain vistas and a treat of watching one of the cousins make traditional cake-like bread at the fire outside. It’s a hidden gem 💎!”
Sara: “Wow! What a place to stay. Magnificent views on the surrounding mountains await you here. In the house there's a cosy stove, a well-equipped kitchen, a decent bathroom, and very good beds. Jetmir and his family take very good care of you. With plenty of excellent food, you're definitely never hungry here!”
Liesbet: “We stayed 4 nights with Jetmir and his wonderful family. It was perfect. Cozy fireplace, lovely beds, beautiful view (especially in the morning!) and incredibly delicious food. An ideal place for lovers of peace, nature and hiking in the mountains. Jetmir & his family are very hospitable and helpful! Great place.”
Oliver: “A special thank you goes to the children of the village. They answered our questions for almost an entire day and gave us a detailed tour of the village. Great people!”
Justin: “Amazing guest house. Great bathroom and shower. Fireplace in the middle of the room with nice couches. Beds are very comfortable. The views are amazing. The host family is wonderfully helpful, warm and friendly. The breakfast in their home was incredible. They treat you as part of their family.”
Book your stay
Availability
Our guesthouse is open all year round, with only limited service during winter months.
Part of our philosophy at The Golden Goat is that we want you to slow down while staying at our guesthouse. Therefor we advise our guests to stay a minimum of 3 nights.
Booking
To book your stay at our guesthouse, please send us an e-mail with your preferred dates and the number of guests so we can check availabilities for you.
E-mail: thegoldengoat.albania@gmail.com
Prices
Rooms
Private room (max 4 persons):
1 person = 65 euro
2 persons = 90 euro
3 persons = 115 euro
4 persons = 140 euro
Children under 12 years have 20% discount on their accommodation.
Room prices don’t include meals.
Private guesthouse
Are you 5 persons or more? You can book our two rooms and you will have the guesthouse all to yourself.
Are you less than 5 persons, but prefer some extra privacy? You can book our guesthouse completely to yourself at an extra cost of €100 per day on top of your room price.
Camper van
Are you traveling with your own house on wheels, but like to visit The Golden Goat? No problem. We have a nice camping spot for you near our guesthouse. You can use all our communal areas (bathroom/garden/livingroom/kitchen) while you sleep in your own camper. You pay 50% of the room rate and we ask you to book our half pension or full pension option for meals during your stay.
Meals
Half pension (breakfast + lunch) = €15 per person per day
Full pension (breakfast + lunch + dinner) = €30 per person per day
Additional meals:
- Breakfast: €10
- Lunch: €10
- Dinner: €15
Children under 12 years have 20% discount on their meals.
Transport
Shuttle service:
We offer a shuttle service from these pick-up points in Albania:
-Tirana city/Rinas Airport to The Golden Goat (3 hours, one way)
1-3 persons + luggage: 100 euro
4 persons + luggage: 125 euro
-Nearby cities Kukes or Peshkopi to The Golden Goat – (1 hour, one way)
1-3 persons + luggage: 40 euro
4 persons + luggage: 50 euro
Return transport is possible at the same rates.
Your own car:
The Golden Goat can be reached by car and we have a free parking spot available for you in our village.
Public transport:
Public transport is available, though a bit complicated and very limited schedule.
Let us know if you prefer this option, so we can help you.
Shepherd experience
Full day hike into the mountains with goats and guide (including lunch):
150 euro for 2 persons
+ 30 euro per extra person
All meals, transport, activities or goat hikes can be requested after the booking of your accommodation.