Paintman had requested some information about Albania, so rather then threadcrap on Grez's ride report I thought I'd put some information here.
So.. Albania- In general the main roads are not terrible in most places but can hold surprises in others. As you would expect you need to be vigilant, there can be pot holes but be the main routes tend to be alright. Intersections can be poor and road works can be a challenge and one particular peculiarity is under some motorway bridges which can be an unsurfaced mess, for some reason I can't quite work out why. A couple of snippets for your perusal which might give you a taste.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFk2gG423UE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjavB4iPux0
The FCO website advises not to motor at night, this is advice I would thoroughly endorse.
First question was about the coastal crossing at Konispol/Sagiada. The crossing itself is very modern and the SH97 running up to the final few miles to the border is in very good condition. I didn't take that road to Sarande, rather than that taking the SH81 which runs through the Butrint National park. The ferry crossing https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=39.743098,20.020151&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=13 is the famed cable ferry featured in Top Gear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r9AdZBIvsQ. I definitely wouldn't vote it wobblybox and trailer friendly!
A little further North, the road from Sarande to Vlore is a gem of motoring if you are considering going that way. Terrific views as the road winds and climbs along sections of coastline. The road surface is excellent but on my couple of visits in the hot weather I'd seen a few cars that had suffered mechanical trouble- but it should be fine for a modern van and there were a few about. It’s a hoot on a GS.
From Vlore on Durres and beyond things are quite reasonable with stretches of motorway and some good surfaces. Durres to Lezhe is some Motorway and fairly good. Again just be vigilant for things and you'll be fine.
North of Lezhe the road is straight and fine.
I've crossed the border to Montenegro here at https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=42.016907,19.372959&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=12 following advice that the main SH1 crossing north of Koplik can be insanely busy with commercial traffic. This one has been relatively quiet the few times I've visited with a maximum of a dozen cars queueing to go over. On the Montenegro side the road is brand spanking new and the Albanian side is just fine. I met a woman with a cow in the road, but I'm pretty sure they'll have moved by now.
The main roads in Montenegro are fine with little to report. Kotor bay is lovely, there is a short-cut ferry (an actual proper ferry too, this
) if you want to save a little time.
If you're heading along the coast to Dubrovnik I'll assume you'll be crossing here. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=42.487289,18.437748&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=12 All fine but there was construction on the Croatian side last summer which I'm sure would be finished by now, so the roads should be grand. Elsewhere in Croatia the roads were spot on pretty much everywhere.
Further North the cut through Bosnia Herzegovina via Neum https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=42.487289,18.437748&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=12 links Croatia. No problems there and the border crossing is simple and quick. Petrol is very cheap in Neum (about £1 a litre) so it might be worth a fill up
Hope that helps, I'll post a bit more if I think of it..
I would be very interested in the condition of the coastal route from Greece (Sagiada border crossing) up through Albania-Montenegro to Dubrovnic as there seems to be varying reports on the internet ranging from poor with huge potholes to all good.We are driving a wobbly box and trailer back home after the Serres rally so all info gratefully received.
So.. Albania- In general the main roads are not terrible in most places but can hold surprises in others. As you would expect you need to be vigilant, there can be pot holes but be the main routes tend to be alright. Intersections can be poor and road works can be a challenge and one particular peculiarity is under some motorway bridges which can be an unsurfaced mess, for some reason I can't quite work out why. A couple of snippets for your perusal which might give you a taste.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFk2gG423UE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjavB4iPux0
The FCO website advises not to motor at night, this is advice I would thoroughly endorse.
First question was about the coastal crossing at Konispol/Sagiada. The crossing itself is very modern and the SH97 running up to the final few miles to the border is in very good condition. I didn't take that road to Sarande, rather than that taking the SH81 which runs through the Butrint National park. The ferry crossing https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=39.743098,20.020151&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=13 is the famed cable ferry featured in Top Gear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r9AdZBIvsQ. I definitely wouldn't vote it wobblybox and trailer friendly!
A little further North, the road from Sarande to Vlore is a gem of motoring if you are considering going that way. Terrific views as the road winds and climbs along sections of coastline. The road surface is excellent but on my couple of visits in the hot weather I'd seen a few cars that had suffered mechanical trouble- but it should be fine for a modern van and there were a few about. It’s a hoot on a GS.
From Vlore on Durres and beyond things are quite reasonable with stretches of motorway and some good surfaces. Durres to Lezhe is some Motorway and fairly good. Again just be vigilant for things and you'll be fine.
North of Lezhe the road is straight and fine.
I've crossed the border to Montenegro here at https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=42.016907,19.372959&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=12 following advice that the main SH1 crossing north of Koplik can be insanely busy with commercial traffic. This one has been relatively quiet the few times I've visited with a maximum of a dozen cars queueing to go over. On the Montenegro side the road is brand spanking new and the Albanian side is just fine. I met a woman with a cow in the road, but I'm pretty sure they'll have moved by now.
The main roads in Montenegro are fine with little to report. Kotor bay is lovely, there is a short-cut ferry (an actual proper ferry too, this
) if you want to save a little time.If you're heading along the coast to Dubrovnik I'll assume you'll be crossing here. https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=42.487289,18.437748&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=12 All fine but there was construction on the Croatian side last summer which I'm sure would be finished by now, so the roads should be grand. Elsewhere in Croatia the roads were spot on pretty much everywhere.
Further North the cut through Bosnia Herzegovina via Neum https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=42.487289,18.437748&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=12 links Croatia. No problems there and the border crossing is simple and quick. Petrol is very cheap in Neum (about £1 a litre) so it might be worth a fill up
Hope that helps, I'll post a bit more if I think of it..
the outfit is heavy four bikes (one a GS) plus all the associated gear etc etc it may get beached. We had planned to overnight in the national park but may have to rethink that one.
