Peaks of the Balkans stage 2: Valbona - Cerem hike

This itinerary of the second stage includes the transfer from Valbonë to the village of Çerem. To get to Çerem, you can either hire a taxi or hike 20 kilometres on the gravel road from Fusha e Gjes Hotel (WP 12) to Çerem. The mule track - the shortest route - used to connect the two villages, but has been destroyed by erosion.

There are no accommodation options along this route for splitting the hike and journey. The staff at the Fusha e Gjes Hotel can help you find a taxi.

Çerem is a small, largely abandoned village about 17 kilometres north-east of Valbonë. It is currently only inhabited by shepherds in summer. In winter, the village is not populated due to bad weather conditions, as the road that connects the village with Valbonë and the
town of Bajram Curri is blocked by snow in winter.

Today's hike/ride of the second stage starts at Hotel Fusha e Gjes (WP 12), about 3.5 kilometres southwest of the centre of Valbonë. We follow the main road (unpaved) that connects Rragam with Valbonë to the north-west. About 1 kilometre from the hotel, we cross a bridge (WP 1a). A few kilometres further on we find the tourist information centre of Valbonë (WP 2a), which is located next to the main road near the village centre (WP 3a). Most of the guesthouses are located here.

Take the main road and then after approx. 7 kilometres keep left at the crossroads (WP 4a) to the village of Çerem. If you turn right at this junction, the route will take you to the village of Dragobi and then on to the town of Bajram Curri. Turn left at the next crossroads (SS 5a) and follow the gravel road. After a few kilometres, we cross a stream (SS 6a) that flows over the road.

We follow the gravel road for another 2 kilometres, then cross the river and approach the centre of Çerem (SS 7a).
Çerem is a good place to spend the night or take a break in one of the hospitable shepherd's huts. We recommend the guest house of Hysen Sula (WP 8a).