Piqeras lies on the fifth stage of the Southern Coastal Trail Borsh–Piqeras–Bunec Beach–Lukovë. Here, hikers encounter a named coastal route and a cultural monument with its own architectural history. The route offers clear directions: a small path climbs up to Piqeras, while the main trail continues to Bunec Beach. This gives visitors two distinct reasons to travel to Piqeras: hiking and the monastery church with its history.
Hiking the Southern Coastal Trail
The Borsh–Piqeras–Bunec Beach–Lukovë stage is rated moderate. On the way to Piqeras, the route approaches along ridgelines and gullies on the slope; olive groves line the trail. After the junction, the main trail continues to Bunec Beach along a wide, level, gravel road strewn with stones. Olive trees provide shade along this section. Thus, the route described alternates between hillside stretches and a wider, level path to the beach.
The junction is important for navigation: a small path branches off to the left from the main trail and climbs up to Piqeras. The main trail, by contrast, continues toward Bunec Beach. The two directions therefore lead to different destinations. When planning the stage, you can keep this junction in mind as a clear distinction between the path to the village and the continuation of the main trail.
Other Hiking Connections and Route Choices
Another named hiking trail runs from Piqeras over Lavani Pass to Lukovë and is designated as a hiking route. The Borsh–Lukovë coastal hiking trail also passes through Piqeras. Both names therefore refer to hiking routes connected with the village, but emphasize different points along the way: Lavani Pass on one, and the coastal connection between Borsh and Lukovë on the other. Together with the stage via Bunec Beach, they give a concrete picture of the named routes, without implying that their descriptions are interchangeable.
The Monastery Church and Local History
The church of the Monastery of Saint Mary of Krimarovë in Piqeras is a cultural monument. A year is engraved in a stone above the south gate: 1672 indicates the period when it was built. The church has a three-aisled, three-apse basilica design with a dome. “Three-aisled” describes its division into three longitudinal naves; “three-apse” refers to its three apses. Together with the dome, these terms describe specific features of the building.
The access path to Piqeras also has a solemn historical significance: it was once used by prisoners for forced labor. The village’s history also includes Vasil Laçi, an Albanian national hero who was born in Piqeras on September 19, 1920. These two historical connections lead from the story of a path to a specific person from Piqeras.
If you’re looking for hotels in Piqeras, you can decide in advance what matters most for your trip: would you like to focus on hiking the Southern Coastal Trail, or are you particularly interested in the monastery church and its architectural history?
Discover more destinations: Qazim Pali, Dhërmi, Himarë, Qeparo, Ilias, Kaninë, Borsh.
Return to the main travel overview: Vlora County.
