Leading from Dhermi’s quaint little village down towards the sea, the Mills Trail remains hidden from view. It’s a quiet place that combines sightseeing and a walk through the town’s history in an unusual, but fun way.
Dhermi is a popular beach destination; however, its past is often overlooked by the crowds. Instead, visitors tend to explore the seas, but I think that it’s a mistake not to head inland every so often.
That’s where the Mills Trail come in.
The trail follows the footpath that locals in Dhermi have been walking for centuries. It runs along a cool mountain stream and passes by a picturesque waterfall, two long-lived churches, and, of course, the town’s old mills.
A WALK ALONG THE MILLS 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 that sits on the hills overlooking the sea. The other end is further down, close to the expansive beach at the bottom of the hill.
My suggestion is to start the route from the top heading down, instead of in the opposite direction. 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 if done carefully, can be trekked in sandals. 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 Mills Trail. Starting from the village, you’ll notice the historic old mills, a few weather-beaten houses, and benches for sitting.
But that’s not all!
There are specific points along the trail that have informative signs highlighting Dhermi’s iconic ancestors. You’ll have the chance to learn their stories and see how the little beach town shaped them as people.
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 ever 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 breathtaking nonetheless. If you’re feeling tired, 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 several black signposts. Their main purpose is to tell the story of Dhermi’s historical figures I mentioned above. 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 mentions 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 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.
