Leading from Dhermi’s quaint little village, down towards the sea, The Mills Trail stays hidden from sight. It’s a quiet place that combines a walk with history in an unusual, but fun way.
Dhermi is a popular beach destination, however its past is often overlooked by the crowds. The trail follows the footpath that Dhermi locals have been walking for centuries. It runs along a stream that passes by a picturesque waterfall, two long-lived churches, and of course, the old mills.
A SHORT WALK ALONG THE TRAIL
The Mills Trail is a single path that can be entered and exited at either end. One end starts underneath the village, next to a natural water fountain. The other end is close to the beach at the bottom of the hill.
My suggestion is to take the heading down, instead of the one going up. You can fill up your water bottle with fresh spring water from the mountain and have an easy stroll down the hill. Afterwards, you can enjoy the remainder of your day at the gorgeous Dhermi Beach.
Fear not, the trail itself is only a mile long, and can be done in sandals ( if you’re careful). It’s also a perfect place to beat the heat and the throngs of summertime beachgoers. Wander under a shady canopy formed from towering trees, listen to the birds chirp, and feel the cool air emanating from the babbling stream.
THE MILLS TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS
There are some really interesting things to see on the short hike. Starting from the village, you’ll notice the mills, a few houses, and some benches for sitting.
But, that’s not all!
There are specific points along the trail that have informative signs highlighting Dhermi’s ancestors.
After the line of mills, the path leads over a newly constructed bridge which leads to the ruins of an old hydropower plant. In 1952, people from Dhermi who immigrated to the USA financed and contributed to the project. The signs state that this was actually the first hydropower plant to be built in an Albanian Village.
If you hear crashing water while you’re exploring the plant, that’s because there is a waterfall right around the corner. One of the trail’s main features, the waterfall might be small, but it’s immensely alluring. On a hot summer day, you can take a seat amongst the rocks and enjoy the refreshing mist it emits.
SOME DISTINCTIVE SIGNS
After the plant, you’ll come across a multitude of black signposts. Their main purpose is to tell the story of Dhermi’s historical figures. What makes them so special is the pride that all small villages seem to have. There is admiration for every feat, no matter how big the accomplishment.
You’ll find things ranging from the history of the neighboring village of Drimades to the names of Dhermi’s first emigrants. Some other mentionings include, the first person to graduate from medical school, as well as the first person to travel by car to the small coastal village. It’s really quite fascinating!
The last bit of the trek takes you by a couple of century-old churches. I was only able to see them from afar while hiking the The Mills Trail, as their gates were closed. However, their stories were written on posts along the trail.
The eccentric history and relaxing walk make it one of the Albanian Riviera’s most underappreciated places. It’s worth taking a few hours away from the beaches to explore some of Dhermi’s nature and heritage.
