Peaks of the Balkans - Route & Difficulty

The Peaks of the Balkans is a 192-kilometre long-distance hiking trail in the Prokletije Mountains, which are located in the border region of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. The Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German Alpine Association, local mountaineering clubs and residents in the various villages connected and marked the old shepherds' paths to form a circular route in 2014.

The route winds its way through the high Alps of the Balkans and crosses several mountain landscapes with a multitude of breathtaking views. Green valleys, crystal-clear mountain lakes, waterfalls, rivers and picturesque mountain villages where time seems to stand still are lined up one after the other.

The complete trail comprises ten daily stages, each 10-20 kilometres long. The daily walking time is 5-8 hours.

Location & route of the trail

The Peaks of the Balkans Trail connects the three countries - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro - with a circular hiking route.

Peaks of the Balkans - Route

The following table shows you the usual Route of the Peaks of the Balkans and all stages starting in Theth near Shkoder in Albania:

The classic route is divided into 10 stages and looks like this:

Stage 1: Theth, Albania - Valbonё, Albania

Stage 2: Valbona, Albania - Çerem, Albania

Stage 3: Çerem, Albania - Doberdol, Albania

Stage 4: Doberdol, Albania - Milishevc, Kosovo

Stage 5: Milishevc, Kosovo - Reka Allages, Kosovo

Stage 6: Reka e Allagёs - Pepaj - Drelaj - Dugaivё - Kucishtё, Kosovo

Stage 7: Liquenat I Kucishtes, Kosovo - Babino Polje, Montenegro

Stage 8: Babino Polje, Montenegro - Lake Hrid - Plav, Montenegro

Stage 9: Plav, Montenegro - Vusanje, Montenegro

Stage 10: Vusanje (Vuthaj), Montenegro - Theth, Albania

Peaks of the Balkans - Difficulty

The Peaks of the Balkans Trail is not a technically demanding hike. You walk on mountain and gravel paths, tracks and shepherd's paths. The trail is not exposed and you rarely need to use your hands.

The Difficulty results here rather from the Length of the stages - between 10 km and up to 20 km eachthe Difference in altitude of 1000 m on average and the partly poor labelling. You should therefore have a healthy level of fitness. The stages usually start in the valley and lead over a pass back down into the valley. The terrain is often rocky and sometimes steep, but in between you will also be travelling on forest paths and mountain trails along green meadows with rugged peaks in the distance.

Duration of the hike

The ten stages are all doable in one day. However, I recommend allowing at least two days buffer for resting or for bad weather days as well as two days for travelling to and from the trail. In total, you will need about 2 weeks to complete the entire Peaks of the Balkans Trail.

Which mountains and peaks can you see?

The highest point on the trail is Maja Jezerce (Albania) at 2,694 metres. Other peaks:

Albania

Maja Kolata (2,528 m)

Maja Rosit (2,533 m)

Maja Jezerec (2,694 m)

Maja Harapit (2,218 m)

Valbona Pass (1,795 m)

Maja e Berizhdolit (1,977 m)

Kosovo

Gjeravica (2,656 m)

Montenegro

Vrh bora (2,106 m)

Talijanka summit (2,057 m)

Travelling time

The Best time for the hike is from mid-June to mid-September/October. The summer months are relatively warm in this region. During the summer months (July, August and September), the average temperature is around 25 °C. Of course, it can be cooler in the higher areas and early in the morning. Most hikers are out and about in July and August. June, September and October are considered the ideal months for hiking. Peaks of the Balkans Trailas there is no snow and the path is much quieter.