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 the 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 path to split the hike and journey.

Tip: Sporty hikers can reach Çerem via the Persllopit Pass, which is over 2,000 metres high. The trail is signposted from the bridge at the eastern end of Valbona. Please note: This variant includes a steep ascent and Exposed passages and should not be walked on in wet conditions.

Çerem is a small, largely deserted 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 connecting the village to 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. 

Several smaller streams converge in the Çerem basin. The guest houses are located around one kilometre further on and almost 50 metres higher than the centre of the summer village. Çerem is small, has no mobile phone reception and is deserted in the winter months. On the other hand, you can experience hospitality in a rustic atmosphere here.