Tips
Tomás Bryl
June 20, 2026
Cycling
Albanian "caves" - these are combat positions carved into the rock.
When driving through Albanian passes and descents, in many places you can encounter characteristic, deep "caves" carved directly into solid rocks right by the road.
Although they look like small caves from a distance, they are actually old military defensive positions and shelters from the era of Enver Hoxha's regime (Cold War period). They were hand-carved at strategic points - mainly on sharp bends and switchbacks. They were intended as hidden positions for heavy machine guns (CKM), artillery guns, and as shelter for soldiers against possible air attacks.
When driving through Albanian passes and descents, in many places you can encounter characteristic, deep "caves" carved directly into solid rocks right by the road.
Although they look like small caves from a distance, they are actually old military defensive positions and shelters from the era of Enver Hoxha's regime (Cold War period). They were hand-carved at strategic points - mainly on sharp bends and switchbacks. They were intended as hidden positions for heavy machine guns (CKM), artillery guns, and as shelter for soldiers against possible air attacks.
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Elevation 510 m
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Friday 28 August
34°C
21°C
23 %
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Max wind speed: 5.0 km/h
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