Peaks of the Balkans - Stages

The long-distance hiking trail Peaks of the Balkans is a breathtaking hiking trail through one of the most beautiful and unspoilt regions in Europe. Over a distance of 192 kilometres, you will cross three countries - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro - and experience the beauty and diversity of the region up close on 10 stages.

On former shepherd's paths, you will hike through the border regions, which have undergone an exciting development thanks to subsequent eco- and hiking tourism. Nevertheless, you will find yourself far away from mass tourism.

In ten one-day stages, you hike from Theth via Valbona to the barren high valleys of Dobërdol and Milishevc. In Kosovo, you can enjoy a brief moment of luxury and relaxation near the red rock "Guri i Kuq" before heading back up and finally to the picturesque little town of Plav. From there, you hike over spectacularly beautiful mountain ridges and high valleys in the middle of the Prokletije karst mountains back to Theth.

Peaks of the Balkans stages - graphical representation

The circular hiking trail takes you through idyllic mountain villages, past crystal-clear rivers and lakesthrough deep forests and on majestic mountain peaks. The route definitely showed me my limits with its numerous metres in altitude and requires a good level of fitness. But the reward for the effort is incredible. On the way you experience the Hospitality of the locals and enjoy the local cuisine.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Route length: 192 kilometres
Duration: 10 - 12 days
Altitude metres: approx. 9,800 m uphill, 9,900 m downhill
Difficulty: medium - technically not particularly demanding, but sure-footedness and fitness are required due to the terrain and metres in altitude.
Countries: Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro

Stages & entry points

The Peaks of the Balkans is a Circular hiking trail - This means you have the choice between different entry points in the three countries Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo. The most popular are the following:

Shkodra in Albania
Plav in Montenegro
Peja in Kosovo

The following table shows you the usual Sequence of stages with starting point in Theth:

Stage	Start and finish point	Route length	Walking time	Metres in altitude uphill	Metres in altitude downhill
1	Theth - Valbona	17.6 km	7-8 h	1,030 hm	850 hm
2	Valbona - Cerem	13.3 km	7-9 h	1,140 hm	860 hm
3	Cerem - Doberdol	16.4 km	8 h	970 hm	370 hm
4	Doberdol - Milishevc	18.4 km	7-8 h	810 hm	930 hm
5	Milishevc - Reka Allages	15.7 km	8 h	800 hm	1,220 hm
6	Reka Allages - Guri i Kuq	22.9 km	8-10 h	1,130 hm	1,090 hm
7	Guri i Kuq - Babino Polje	15.9 km	7-8 h	990 hm	910 hm
8	Babino Polje - Plav	21.2 km	7 h	640 hm	1,200 hm
9	Plav - Vusanje	21.3 km	8 h	1,160 hm	1,040 hm
10	Vusanje - Theth	21.1 km	8-10 h	830 hm	1,060 hm

Accommodation

On the 'Peaks of the Balkans' it is possible to stay in guesthouses, huts and in your own tent.

Beware of bottlenecks on the route! There are often groups travelling that occupy entire accommodations.

The standard of the accommodation varies. There are very rustic and simple huts with shared rooms, no electricity or showers, as well as more upmarket options with double rooms and private bathrooms.