The Blue Eye of Theth — locally the Blue Eye of Kaprre (Syri i Kaltër i Kaprresë) — is one of the valley's most rewarding walks: an intensely blue karst spring pool hidden in a forested gorge down the valley. This is a complete guide to reaching it, what to expect, and one important thing to get straight before you go. For the valley's other walks, see our best-hikes guide.
First: which Blue Eye?
There are two Blue Eyes in Albania, and they are often confused. This one is the Blue Eye of Theth — on maps and signs often the Blue Eye of Kaprre — a spring pool in the Theth valley in the Albanian Alps. It is a completely different place from the far better-known Blue Eye near Sarandë (which is just Syri i Kaltër, with no "Kaprre") in southern Albania. If you are in Theth, you cannot pop down to the southern one — they are at opposite ends of the country. This guide is about the Theth Blue Eye.
What it is
The Blue Eye is a karst spring — the intense blue colour comes from the depth and clarity of the water welling up through the rock. It's fed by the Black River, which rises on Maja e Zezë ("Black Peak") and is fed mainly by snowmelt — which is why the pool (locally the "Black Well") stays so cold year-round. It's only about 100 m² across and some 4–5 metres deep, yet that depth is enough to turn it a shifting blue-to-emerald depending on the season and light. It's reached from the hamlet of Nderlysa down the valley. The draws are the vividly blue pool, the little waterfall that feeds it, and the clear stream running through the gorge. Some visitors brave a swim in the icy water — but at roughly 5–8 °C year-round, barely shifting even in high summer, it is genuinely cold, so most just dip and gasp or simply look. The forested walk in is part of the experience.
How to get there
Most people reach the trailhead at Nderlysa first, then walk the final stretch — you cannot drive all the way. Practical points:
- Get to Nderlysa about 7 km down the valley — 15–20 minutes by car, or by shared minibus from Theth (~20 minutes, around €5 each way); ask your guesthouse to arrange a seat.
- From the Nderlysa car park it is a walk of about 40–50 minutes to the pool — roughly 2 km, and steep uphill in places — following the river on rough mountain paths with wooden-bridge crossings and a little scrambling. The first half is the harder climb; the second eases off through cool beech forest. Carry water and wear sturdy shoes.
- If you drive, a small parking fee applies at the Nderlysa trailhead (around 150–200 LEK / €2, cash); the Blue Eye itself is open access and free. It's not entirely wild, though — in season there are a few drink stalls along the trail and a small café-restaurant with a wooden viewing terrace right above the pool, so you can buy a cold drink, though it's still smart to carry your own water.
- With the transfer, the walk and time at the pool, it makes a relaxed half-day outing — start earlier if you want it quieter.
When to go & tips
Like the rest of the valley, the Blue Eye is a summer outing (roughly June–September), when the trails are clear and guesthouses are open — see our best-time-to-visit guide. Start early for the walk, bring layers and water, and check conditions with your guesthouse before setting out; mountain weather changes fast. For how to reach the valley itself, see our getting-to-Theth guide, and our practical info for what else to pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Eye of Theth the same as the one near Sarandë?
No. The Blue Eye of Theth is a spring pool in the Theth valley in the Albanian Alps — a completely different place from the better-known Blue Eye near Sarandë in southern Albania.
How do you get to the Blue Eye of Theth?
Most people reach the Nderlysa trailhead first — about 7 km (15–20 minutes) down the valley by car, or a shared minibus from Theth (~20 minutes, around €5 each way) — then walk about 40–50 minutes (roughly 2 km, steep in places) to the pool, as you cannot drive the final stretch. A small parking fee (~150–200 LEK / €2, cash) applies if you drive; carry water and wear sturdy shoes.
Can you swim in the Blue Eye of Theth?
Some visitors brave a quick dip, but the water is genuinely icy — around 5–8°C year-round — so most just look or wade a moment. The pool is small (about 100 m² and 4–5 m deep) and the forested walk in through the gorge is as much of the draw as the water.
Are there any facilities at the Blue Eye of Theth?
More than you'd expect for somewhere this remote. In season there are a few drink stalls along the trail and a small café-restaurant with a wooden viewing terrace overlooking the pool, so you can buy a cold drink. There are no shops or ATMs, though, so bring cash and your own water for the walk.
