Narrative-based Thematic Route Planning in a Protected Mountain Area: The Edith Durham Itinerary in Theth

Abstract

Aims: This study examines how Edith Durham’s High Albania can be used as a historical and interpretative source for planning a narrative-based thematic route in the protected mountain landscape of Theth and the Shala Valley. It also assesses how historical evidence, contemporary tourism sites, stakeholder perspectives, spatial organisation, anticipated sustainability implications, and governance requirements can be integrated within a transparent route-planning framework. Study Design: A qualitative, exploratory case-study design was adopted. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Theth and the Shala Valley, northern Albania, between June and September 2025. Methodology: The research combined close reading of High Albania, secondary documentary research, field observation, semi-structured interviews with 15 stakeholders, thematic coding, evidentiary classification, and cartographic representation. Route nodes were classified as directly documented, contextually associated, or contemporary supplementary. The selected nodes were organised into one principal itinerary and two complementary thematic sub-routes and interpreted through the Narrative-Based Thematic Route Sustainability Framework (NBTRSF), which integrates narrative capital, spatial structuring, anticipated sustainability implications, and governance context. Results: The historically supported core comprised Theth village, the Church of Theth, traditional stone towers, Okolo (present-day Okol), the Okol springs, the Shala River, and Maja e Harapit. The Lock-in Tower was included through contextual association, whereas Qafë Thorja, the Blue Eye, Grunas Waterfall, and the Cave of Harapi were classified as contemporary supplementary nodes. Stakeholders supported narrative-based interpretation but emphasised concerns related to accessibility, signage, seasonal conditions, visitor pressure, environmental sensitivity, historical accuracy, route safety, and institutional coordination. Conclusion: Historical travel writing can support thematic-route planning when direct documentary evidence is clearly distinguished from contextual association and contemporary tourism additions. The proposed itinerary should be understood as an exploratory planning concept rather than a verified operational route. Before implementation, it requires seasonal field verification, environmental and safety assessment, visitor testing, community participation, and coordinated institutional management.