Itinerary I – Bylis Antiquity

The Bylis Antiquity itinerary is a moderate, full-day cultural and natural route of about 15.7 kilometres. It forms a circular loop from the crossroad of Poçem, passing through Hekal, Klos and the ancient site of Nikaia in Mallakastër, southern Albania.

The route climbs from 31 metres at the start to a maximum of 479 metres near Klos. It follows asphalt and gravel roads, then turns into a short but steep walking trail to the hilltop ruins of Nikaia.

Along the way, visitors encounter five points of interest that span nature, history and archaeology: the protected landscape of Poçem, the wild Vjosa River, the Illyrian city of Bylis, the historic Temo Celaj House in Klos and the ancient city of Nikaia. The route is at its best in spring and autumn, and rewards travellers with panoramic views over the Vjosa Valley and a strong sense of Albania’s Illyrian past.

The route, step by step

1. Start — national road, crossroad to Hekal
2. Hekal — Bylis Archaeological Park
3. Klos village centre — Temo Celaj House
4. Old Klos — Ancient City of Nikaia
5. Poçem — Poçem Protected Area
6. Vjosa River — a short walk to the riverbank
7. End — back at the Poçem crossroad

The first 4 km from Poçem are relatively flat. From kilometre 4 the road climbs steadily, reaching about 300 m at kilometre 7.8 and a maximum of 396 m, before descending back to Poçem. The Hekal–Klos segment (1.9 km) climbs from 394 m to 479 m. The walking path to Nikaia is only 217 m long but steep, with slopes of up to 19.8°.

Difficulty by segment

Segment	Difficulty	Notes
Poçem → Hekal, about 5 km	Easy–moderate	Gradual climb from 31 m to 394 m on a winding road
Hekal → Klos, 1.9 km	Moderate	Steady climb to 479 m, slopes up to 9.1°
Klos → Nikaia, 217 m on foot	Moderate–challenging	Steep walking trail, slopes up to 19.8°
Klos → Poçem, about 7 km	Moderate	Descent with some undulations, slopes up to 10.2°
Poçem → Vjosa River, 0.2 km	Easy	Flat, short walk to the riverbank

Time and difficulty by transport

Mode	Time	Difficulty	Notes
Car	1.5–2.5 hrs	Easy–moderate	Driving plus short walks; the final approach to Nikaia is on foot
Mountain bike	2–3.5 hrs	Moderate	Significant climbing; gravel sections need an MTB
On foot, full route	5–7 hrs	Moderate–challenging	About 448 m of elevation gain
Car and walking	3–5 hrs	Easy–moderate	Drive to key points, walk to each site — recommended

A full day by car and on foot fits comfortably between 9:00 and 17:00.

Practical tips

• Best season: spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October), with mild temperatures and green landscapes
• What to bring: hiking shoes, at least 2 litres of water, sun protection, a hat, snacks and a camera
• Road conditions: asphalt and gravel roads; an unpaved walking trail to Nikaia
• Where to stay: Agroturizem Bylis