PEAKS OF THE BALKANS - Balkan Trail
PEAKS OF THE BALKANS - Balkan Trail
Dear visitor
The Peaks of the Balkans Trail is the first long-distance hiking trail to cross the Western Balkans, an area where ancient paths connect remote regions.
The 192-kilometre circular hiking trail takes you through the mountains of northern Albania, eastern Kosovo and southern Montenegro. The old paths were interrupted during the Cold War, when tensions between Yugoslavia and Albania were very high. As part of a project to support the communities in these three countries, German development cooperation, led by GIZ, has revitalised the trail and turned it into a great nature experience. The route offers a wide variety of scenic and cultural experiences against a spectacular backdrop.
On this website you will find the classic Peaks of the Balkans route and our FAQ page with information on the route, maps, guesthouses and border permits.
The level of difficulty of the Balkan Trail ranges from easy to moderate, but requires a good level of fitness. To start your Peaks of the Balkans (POB) trail, you can land at three major airports: Tirana (Albania), Podgorica (Montenegro) or Pristina (Kosovo).
Hikes are offered by various providers as self-guided hikes (on your own), guided hikes or as open groups.
Peaks of the Balkans Trail - Overview
Distance: 192 km (119 miles)
Total elevation gain / loss12,000 m (39,420 ft)
Duration: 10 days (Very fit hikers carrying only light packs can complete the trek in 7-8 days. For those who prefer a more leisurely schedule, including a rest day and some side trips, the hike can take up to 12 or 13 days). You hike from hut to hut, which are usually located in the valley.
Level of difficulty: The route is a must for every enthusiastic hiker and has a difficulty level of light to medium on. The trail requires a good level of physical fitness and the appropriate hiking equipment.
Start/Finish (entry points): The Peaks of the Balkans is a circular hike that can be started and finished at various locations. The most popular are Theth (Albania), Pejë (Kosovo) and Plav (Montenegro).
Permits: The Peaks of the Balkans Trail runs through Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Before setting off, hikers must obtain a cross-border permit. (NoteIt is recommended to apply for border authorisations at least four weeks before departure).
Getting there: From a logistical point of view, Shkoder in Albania is the easiest starting and finishing point. It is just under a 2-hour bus journey from the country's capital Tirana, and there are numerous flight connections. From Shkoder, you start directly in the scenic mountain village of Theth in Albania and begin the trail there. Shkodër (Albania) is also only 90 minutes away from Podgorica.
Balkan Trail - Stages
The "Balkan Trail"also known as "Peaks of the Balkans Trail" is a long-distance hiking trail that leads through Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. It connects three countries with a hiking route of around 192 kilometres and offers a unique adventure in an unspoilt mountain landscape. The route offers a variety of hikes, from moderate to challenging tours. There are Guided tourswhere the entire route is accompanied by experienced guides. Independent hikes are also possible.
Distance: 13.9 kilometres
Altitude min: 745 metres, max: 1,759 metres
Cumulative altitude uphill: 1,068 metres, downhill: 792 metres
Difficulty level: Moderate
Duration: 7 hours
Markings: white/red/white
Distance: 19.8 kilometres
Altitude min: 670 metres, max: 1,156 metres
Cumulative altitude uphill: 541 metres, downhill: 382 metres
Difficulty level: Easy
Duration: 7 hours
Markings: None
Distance: 15.64 kilometres
Altitude min: 1,152 metres, max: 1,920 metres
Cumulative vertical metres uphill: 1025 metres downhill: 440 metres
Difficulty level: Moderate
Duration: 6 hours
Markings: white/red/white
Hiking route: 18.2 kilometres
Altitude min: 1,534 metres, max: 2,290 metres
Difference in altitude uphill: 915 metres, downhill: 980 metres
Difficulty level: Moderate
Walking time: 8-9 hours
Markings up to the border: white/red/white,
from the border to Milishevc: red/white/red
Distance: 16.24 kilometres
Altitude min: 910 metres, max: 2,136 metres
Difference in altitude uphill: 863 metres, downhill: 1,277 metres
Difficulty level: Moderate
Walking time: 8-9 hours
Markings: Red/White/Red
Hiking distance: 23.26 kilometres
Altitude min: 1,072 m, max: 1,820 m
Difference in altitude uphill: 1,257 m downhill: 1,139 m
Difficulty level: Moderate
Duration: 8-9 hours
Markings: Red/White/Red
Distance: 15.8 kilometres
Altitude min: 1,438 metres max: 2,276 metres
Altitude metres uphill: 1,151 metres, downhill: 1,109 metres
Difficulty level: Moderate
Duration: 7-8 hours
Border markings: red/white/red
from the border to Babino Polje: red circle/white filling
Distance: 20.31 kilometres
Altitude min: 953 metres, max: 2,068 metres
Altitude metres uphill: 719 metres, downhill: 1,250 metres
Difficulty level: Moderate
Duration: 7-8 hours
Markings: red circle/white filling
Distance: 27.4 kilometres
Altitude min: 968 metres, max: 2,106 metres
Difficulty level: Moderate
Duration: 10 - 11 hours
Marking: red circle/white filling
Hiking distance: 21.35 km
Altitude min: 726 metres, max: 1,748 metres
Altitude metres uphill: 1,111 metres, downhill: 1,437 metres
Walking time: 8 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Markings up to the border: red circle/white filling from the border to Theth: red/white/red
Hiking distance: 10 km
Altitude min: 496m, max: 784 m
Altitude metres uphill: 266 m, downhill: 435 m
Difficulty level: Easy
Hiking route: 18 km
Uphill: 915 m
Downhill: 915 m
Minimum altitude: 1534 m
Maximum altitude: 2650 m
Peaks of the Balkans Booking
The Peaks of the Balkans Trail is an adventure through one of the last unspoilt natural landscapes in Europe. Rugged mountain peaks, hidden valleys and remote pastoral villages create a landscape that feels like a journey back in time. One moment you are crossing a mountain pass with breathtaking panoramas, the next you are hiking through lush mountain meadows. Whether you opt for a self-guided hike for the ultimate freedom or a guided hike with deeper insights into the local culture is up to you. Start your adventure!
Countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro
Duration: 10 days | Difficulty: Moderate
Availability: June - October
10 days of hiking in the Peaks of the Balkans, a journey that takes you through three countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.
Countries: Albania and Montenegro
Duration: 6 days | Difficulty: Moderate | Availability: June - October
Natural and cultural monuments, people and traditions, landscapes with wild nature - you will find all of this along the routes that lead through these mountains.
Countries: Albania
Duration: 5 days | Difficulty: Moderate | Availability: June - October
Enjoy five days in the peaks of the Balkans on a self-guided tour to the most important highlights of northern Albania.
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