Peaks of the Balkans TOUR - Self-guided
Peaks of the Balkans Self-guided - Tours
Self-guided tours in the Peaks of the Balkans are for experienced hikers who are confident enough to walk the trail themselves without a local guide. The tours can be organised flexibly on a start date of your choice and give you more of a sense of adventure when you hike the trail on your own.
Some of the guesthouses are located in regions where there is no telephone or internet, so it can sometimes be difficult to make reservations there. Another challenge is obtaining border permits. These must be organised in advance and registered with the local police authorities. In Montenegro, a fee must also be paid on arrival.
The third point is pricing. Although you might think that you save money by booking direct, this is not always the case. Local agencies sign contracts with guesthouses and get preferential rates that independent travellers can't get. Platforms such as booking.com usually take around 15 per cent commission, which is usually added to the original price by the guesthouses.
Various providers offer packages for self-guided tours. If you book a self-guided tour with a company, you benefit from the agency's expertise in finding the best hiking trails, a secure booking, fewer headaches when organising, a contact person in the event of an accident or emergency and, last but not least, you support the local economy.
Peaks of the Balkans Self-guided - Route & altitude metres
11 days Peaks of the Balkans self-guided (click here for details)
These 11-day self-guided hike takes you on the classic route through three countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. We have optimised the tour to avoid some of the less beautiful sections, and instead Highlights such as Mt Trekufiri, Mt Hajla, the Taljanka peak in the Grebaja Valley and the ferry crossing on Lake Koman which, in our opinion, are particularly worth seeing.
Highlights
- Ferry crossing through the fjord-like landscape of Lake Komani (ticket included)
- Climb 4 unique peaks: Trekufiri, Hajla, Taljanka and Popadija
- Extra high mountain stage in Albania behind Montenegro's highest peak
- More time for close contact with the locals in mountain villages & shepherd's huts
- Breathtaking views of the Taljanka peak from the high mountain ridges around the Grebaja Valley in Montenegro
Route & altitude metres:
Day 01: Airport transfer and arrival in Shkoder - Hotel/private (-/-/-)
Day 02: Transfer to Koman, ferry crossing to Fierze, hike to Valbona (7.5 km, 250 m ascent, 50 m descent) - hotel/private (breakfast/packed lunch/dinner)
Day 03: Hike Valbone - Persllopit Pass - Cerem (approx. 8 hours - 14 km, 1200 metres ascent, 950 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 04: Hike Cerem - Balqin - Doberdol (approx. 6 hours - 16 km, 1100 metres ascent, 450 metres descent) - hut/private (F/LP/A)
Day 05: Hike Doberdol - Roshkodol Pass - Milishevc (approx. 5 hours - 12.5 km, 550 metres ascent, 525 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 06: Hike Milishevc - Reka Alleges - Mt. Hajla (optional) - Drelaj (approx. 7 hours - 13 km, 1250 metres ascent, 1300 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 07: Hike Drelaj - Liqenat - Babino Polje (approx. 8 hours - 15 km, 11550 metres ascent, 1050 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 08: Drive to the Grebaja valley, circular hike to Talkjanka summit, Vusanje (approx. 6.5 hours - 12 km, 950 metres ascent, 950 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 09: Hike Vusanje - Peja Pass - Theth (approx. 8 hours - 16.5 km, 1050 metres ascent, 1000 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 10: Hike Theth - Nderlyse, transfer to Shkoder and then to Tirana (approx. 2 hours - 8 km, 150 metres ascent, 400 metres descent) - hotel/private (F/LP/-)
Day 11: (Transfer to Tirana Airport) - Departure - (F/-/-)
Included in the price:
- Accommodation in private rooms: 3x hotel, 6x guest house, 1x hut
- All transfers as specified in the itinerary in private vehicles
- Meals (10x breakfast, 9x packed lunch, 9x dinner)
- Border permits (border crossing authorisations)
- Luggage transport between the hiking stages
- Airport transfers on arrival & departure, meet & greet with briefing on arrival (TIA)
- Garmin GPS & local mobile phone on arrival, detailed route description
10 days Peaks of the Balkans self-guided
This self-managed 10 days hike takes you through three countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. We have optimised the tour a little to avoid some of the less beautiful sections, and instead Highlights such as Mount Trekufiri and Lake Hrid which, in our opinion, are particularly worth seeing.
Highlights
- Overnight stay in the shepherd village of Doberdol, the most remote part of the route
- Ascent of the highest peak in Kosovo - Gjeravica
- Experience Lake Hrid in the heart of Prokletije at almost 2000 metres above sea level.
Route & altitude metres
Day 01: Arrival in Shkoder
Day 02: Transfer to Theth, hike Theth - Valbone (approx. 6:30 hours - 10 km, 1125 m ascent, 750 m descent)
Day 03: Hike Valbone - Persllopit Pass - Cerem (approx. 8 hours - 14 km, 1200 metres ascent, 950 metres descent)
Day 04: Hike Cerem - Balqin - Doberdol (approx. 6 hours - 16 km, 1100 metres ascent, 450 metres descent)
Day 05: Hike Doberdol - (Mt. Gjeravica) - Bjeshka Tropojes (approx. 5 hours - 12.5 km, 550 metres ascent, 525 metres descent)
Day 06: Hike Bjeshka Tropojes - Roshkodol Pass - Milishevc (approx. 6.5 hours - 16 km, 775 metres ascent, 950 metres descent)
Day 07: Hike Milishevc - Ravno Brdo - Babino Polje (approx. 6 hours - 12 km, 750 metres ascent, 850 metres descent)
Day 08: Hike Babino Polje - Mt. Bor - Vusanje (approx. 6.5 hours - 18 km, 550 metres ascent, 1050 metres descent)
Day 09: Hike Vusanje - Theth, transfer to Shkoder (approx. 8 hours - 16.5 km, 1050 metres ascent, 1000 metres descent)
Day 10: Shkoder - Departure
Included
- Accommodation in double room: 2x hotel, 5x guest house, 2x hut
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Meals (9x breakfast, 8x packed lunch, 8x dinner)
- Border permits (border crossing authorisations)
- GPS files & route description
8 days Peaks of the Balkans self-guided
The self-guided 8 days tour through the Cursed Mountains is for those who prefer a shorter circular hike through the peaks of the Balkans, but without missing the ferry ride through the fjord-like landscape of Lake Coma. The route takes a Shortcut from Albania to Montenegro, without Kosovo, and includes all the highlights of the trail.
Highlights:
- Ferry crossing on Lake Komani (ticket included)
- Climb the Trekufiri and enjoy the unique view of three countries.
- Hike from Theth to Valbone, the highlight of the Albanian Alps with spectacular views of the Valbona valley.
- Hike from Vusanje to Theth, where you can see how the borders were guarded with remote bunkers during the Cold War.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Airport transfer & arrival in Shkoder - hotel/private (-/-/-)
Day 02: Transfer to Koman, ferry crossing to Fierze, hike to Valbone (7.5 km, 250 m ascent, 50 m descent) - hotel/private (breakfast/packed lunch/dinner)
Day 03: Transfer to Cerem, hike Cerem - Doberdol (approx. 6 hours - 16 km, 1100 metres ascent, 450 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 04: Hike Doberdol - Mt. Trekufiri - Lake Hrid - Bajrovica Katun (approx. 5 hours - 13 km, 675 metres ascent, 725 metres descent) - hut/private (F/LP/A)
Day 05: Transfer to Grebaja valley, circular hike to Taljanka summit, Vusanje (approx. 6.5 hours - 12 km, 950 metres ascent, 950 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 06: Hike Vusanje - Peja Pass - Theth (approx. 8 hours - 16.5 km, 1050 metres ascent, 1000 metres descent) - guesthouse/private (F/LP/A)
Day 07: Hike Theth - Nderlyse, transfer to Shkoder and then to Tirana (approx. 2 hours - 8 km, 150 metres ascent, 400 metres descent) - hotel/private (F/LP/-)
Day 08: (Transfer to Tirana Airport) - Departure - (F/-/-)
Included in the price:
- Accommodation in private rooms: 3x hotel, 6x guest house, 1x hut
- All transfers as specified in the itinerary in private vehicles
- Meals (10x breakfast, 9x packed lunch, 9x dinner)
- Border permits (border crossing authorisations)
- Luggage transport between the hiking stages
- Airport transfers on arrival & departure, meet & greet with briefing on arrival (TIA)
- Garmin GPS & local mobile phone on arrival, detailed route description
Offers self-guided tours
Countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro
Duration: 11 days | Difficulty: Moderate |
Availability: June - October
11 days of hiking in the Peaks of the Balkans, a journey that takes you through three countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.
Countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro
Duration: 10 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 and Montenegro
Duration: 7 days | Difficulty: Moderate |
Availability: June - October
Enjoy eight days in the peaks of the Balkans on a self-guided tour to the most important highlights of northern Albania and Montenegro.
Peaks of the Balkans Trail - Tour information
The Peak of the Balkans is the most famous long-distance hiking trail in the Balkans and leads through the still little-known border triangle of Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro along a wild and unspoilt mountain world in the Dinaric Alps. Rugged cliffs, clear mountain lakes, warm hospitality, solitude, narrow paths, green alpine meadows surrounded by high peaks!
We offer this tour as SELF-GUIDED, i.e. we take care of the entire organisation and booking. This means transfers, food and accommodation, being available during the tour and sending you all the GPX hiking tracks, so you don't have to worry about anything and can start hiking straight away.
Included in the price
- All transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation and catering during the hike
- Border Permits
- GPX files for navigation and on-site support
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks or soft drinks
- Luggage transport (can be provided on request)
Starting point: The Peaks of the Balkans hiking trail has several entry points. In Albania you can either go to Theth or Valbona start. You fly to the capital Tirana and travel by public transport to the starting point in Shkoder (duration approx. 2 hours) to start the hike the next day.
Difficulty: The Peaks of the Balkans is a must for every keen hiker and has a difficulty level of easy to moderately difficult on. The Balkan Trail requires good physical fitness and the appropriate hiking equipment (hiking boots, waterproof clothing, lamps, GPS, first aid kit, mobile phone). The self-guided tour "Peaks of the Balkans" is a trekking route covering around 200 kilometres through Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania.
Required travel documents: Valid passport or identity card (at least 3 additional months)
Currency: The currency in Albania is the lek (ALL). However, the euro is often accepted. The official currency in Kosovo and Montenegro is the euro. Note: Lek can only be purchased in Albania.
Power supply and sockets220 V, 50 Hz, two-pole round plug.
Availability of ATMs (during the trekking)
- Tirana & Shkoder
- Gusinje & Plav
Highlights
- Hike along Europe's most exciting mountain hiking trail between Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo and discover the cursed mountains
- Cross the Drin Canyon (Komani Lake) in Albania
- Experience the beauty of the Theth Valley with its traditional houses, the church, the Blue Eye and the waterfall
- Cross the Valbona Pass (1,811 m) in the national park of the same name with its panoramic views over Theth and the Valbona Valley
- Spend the night in the shepherd village of Doberdol, a highlight of the journey to the peaks of the Balkans, which impresses with its remoteness and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys
- Experience how the blueberry-covered path leads you to Montenegro, to the well-hidden Lake Hrid
- Enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals and the traditional food in the mountains
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