Explore the Peaks of the Balkans Trail on your own - 5 days to 10 days. Hike through the unspoilt nature of the Accursed Mountains, which are located in three Balkan countries - Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Border permits included.
These 10-day tour guides you in the full loop through three countriesAlbania, Kosovo and Montenegro. We have varied the tour slightly to avoid some parts that do not offer the best experience, and at the same time Highlights such as Gjeravica, Gerbaja Valley and Taljanka Peak that we think are particularly worth seeing.
Day 01: Arrival in Shkodra
Day 02: Transfer to Theth, hike Theth - Nderlyse - Theth (approx. 6:00h - 19.2 km, 520 metres ascent, 630 metres descent)
Day 03: Hike Theth - Valbona (approx. 6:30h - 17.6 km, 1220 m ascent, 1040 m descent)
Day 04: Hike Valbona - Cerem (approx. 4h - 10.6 km, 670 m ascent, 410 m descent)
Day 05: Hike Cerem - Doberdol (approx. 6h - 16.5 km, 1290 m ascent, 680 m descent)
Day 06: Hike Doberdol - Gjeravica summit - Doberdol (approx. 5h - 9.5 km, 990 m ascent, 990 m descent)
Day 07: Hike Doberdol - Milisevc (approx. 7h - 18.5 km, 1060 m ascent, 1180 m descent)
Day 08: Hike Milisevc - Babino Polje (approx. 6h - 15.2 km, 545 m ascent, 750 m descent)
Day 09: Transfer Babino Polje - Grbaja valley, hike to Taljanka summit, transfer to Vusanje (approx. 6h - 9.2 km, 1100 m ascent, 995 m descent)
Day 10: Hike Vusanje - Theth, transfer to Shkodra (approx. 8h - 23.2 km, 1140 m ascent, 1400 m descent)
Includes:
Not included:
Drinks, flights, travel insurance, luggage transfer
The 6 days self-guided tour in the Cursed Mountains is intended for those who have a shorter loop in the peaks of the Balkans want to hike. The route takes a Shortcut from Albania to Montenegro, without Kosovo and contains all the top highlights of the trail.
Highlights:
Route:
Day 01: Arrival in Shkodra - transfer to Theth (if arrival time allows, otherwise the next day in the morning) Day 02: Hike Theth - Valbona Day 03: Hike Valbona - Cerem Day 04: Hike Cerem - Doberdol Day 05: Hike Doberdol - Babino Polje via Lake Hrid Day 06: Transfer Babino Polje - Vusanje, hike Vusanje - Theth, transfer to Shkoder
Includes:
Not included: Drinks, flights, travel insurance, luggage transfer
This is the shortest and cheapest self-guided tour in the Peaks of the Balkans. The tour includes a transfer from Shkodra to Valbona, including a ferry crossing on Lake Komani.
Highlights:
Route:
Day 01: Arrival in Shkoder Day 02: Transfer Shkoder - Lake Koman - Valbona Day 03: Hike Valbona - Rosi summit Day 04: Hike Valbona - Theth Day 05: Hike Theth - Nderlyse - Theth, transfer to Shkoder
Includes:
Not included: Drinks, flights, travel insurance, luggage transfer
Balkan Natural Adventure is an agency with offices in Peja, Kosovo and Tirana, Albania. The agency offers guided and self-guided hikes in the border triangle and is led by a Swiss Kosovar. You can use the booking form at the bottom of the page to make a reservation. Select an individual start date and follow the instructions on the form by clicking on "Book now". Our colleagues will then contact you by email. Payment will then be made by bank transfer.
By booking via the form here on this page, you secure your exclusive route description in German or English.
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Transfers
All transfers are in private vehicles, either by minibus, car or four-wheel drive vehicle, depending on road conditions.
We can organise a private transfer from the airport to the starting point for you, just write this in the booking form and we will inform you by e-mail about the options and costs.
Alternatively, there are also buses from Tirana or Podgorica:
Tirana Airport to Shkoder: Departure times are 11:15, 12:45, 17:30 and 20:10 directly from Tirana Airport. A bus ticket costs 1,000 Albanian lek (10 euros) and you pay in cash on the bus. The bus journey from Tirana airport to Shkoder takes about 2 hours.
Podgorica (Flixbus): Arrival times are 09:00 (June to October) and 16:00 (all year round) from the Bus station in the city. A bus ticket costs 12 euros. The bus journey from Podgorica to Shkoder takes approx. 1.5 hours.
Food & Water
The food in this part of the world will be something you will eagerly anticipate at the end of each day. The dishes are freshly prepared in the traditional way and are characterised by a mixture of Balkan, Turkish and European influences. Guest houses serve home-made bread with locally grown vegetables, dairy products and eggs. Dinner includes traditional soups, meat dishes, vegetables and cakes. The guesthouses also prepare a packed lunch for you every day - often consisting of a sandwich with cheese, fruit or vegetables.
Vegetarians and diets are not a problem, as the host families can offer alternatives. However, the choice is sometimes simple and limited.
Bring your own water bottle to fill up for the hike. You can get water from mountain streams or tap water in guesthouses, both of which are of drinking water quality. If you are worried about drinking untreated water, we recommend taking water purification tablets with you.
Accommodation
During the trek, you will spend the night in simple lodge-style guesthouses with functional bathroom facilities. The rooms generally offer space for two to five people per room and it may be necessary for male and female participants to share the room, unless otherwise stated on request, although this is not possible in every guest house and depends on the availability of rooms on the day.
Bed linen and blankets, towels, shampoo and other basic items are provided by the guest houses. However, we recommend packing a travelling towel and a hut sleeping bag just in case. It can be very chilly in the mountain village of Doberdol.
Private room
Possible for a surcharge; but very limited availability.
Terrain during the hikes, navigation
This hiking trail is characterised by many descents and ascents. The route leads over a relief that represents alpine terrain with steep slopes, river valleys carved into the mountain, rocky peaks, mountain pine belts etc. However, the paths chosen are mostly easy to walk on and safe.
For navigation you will receive either GPS files that can be downloaded to your own navigation device or alternatively links to routes stored in our app (these can be viewed offline after downloading, you do not need an internet connection in the mountains, only the GPS of your mobile phone must be active).
Time zone
GMT +1
Language
Albanian in Kosovo and Albania, Serbian/Montenegrin in Montenegro. Many people speak English in large cities, but this is often not the case in remote areas. Some people also speak German due to the large diaspora in German-speaking countries.
Power supply and plug
220V, 50 Hz, two-pole round plug (as in Germany). In most villages, the guesthouses have solar panels, which provide hot water and can be used to charge electrical appliances. In some villages or on the mountain there is also mobile phone reception. Especially in Valbona and Theth you can count on very good mobile phone coverage.
Currency
Euro (EUR) in Kosovo and Montenegro, Lek in Albania, although Euro is also frequently accepted there. ATMs are available in Shkoder (Albania), Peja (Kosovo), Plav (Montenegro) and Gjakova (Kosovo).
Visa requirements
German, Swiss and Austrian citizens can enter Albania without a visa. All you need is an identity card or passport that is valid for at least 3 months.
Packing list
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