Peaks of the Balkans Tour 10 days - self-guided

Countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Duration: 10 days | Travelling style: self-managed

Difficulty: Medium | Travelling time: June - October

PEAKS OF THE BALKANS TOUR - OVERVIEW

Embark on this 10-day, self-guided journey to the Peaks of the Balkans. Experience wild nature, breathtakingly beautiful viewpoints and enjoy the hospitality of the local inhabitants.

10 hiking days in the Peaks of the Balkans - a journey that will take you through three countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. You will walk one of the most varied hiking trails in the world, winding through mountain meadows, rugged peaks, lakes and forests. The landscapes and paths change from stony paths and bare peaks to meadows rich in flowers and plants, where nature has unfolded freely.

Route

Day 1: Arrival in Shkodra

The tour includes the first overnight stay in Shkodra after you arrive in Albania. You can use this day to explore the rich culture of Shkoder exploring the old town of the city.

Day 2: Transfer to Theth, hike Theth - Nderlyse - Theth

The village of Theth is one of the most picturesque places in northern Albania. Protected by the wild nature and very bad roads, the village still preserves the kulla and other buildings from the Middle Ages. The village is 100 per cent Roman Catholic and has the
"Kulla e Ngujimit", a three-storey rock building without windows. It served as a self-imposed exile for people who were once involved in blood feuds.

Distance: 10 km, ↑ 266 m ↓ 435 m

Day 3: Hike Theth - Valbona

Today you undertake one of the most spectacular hikes in Albania from Theth (728 m), over the Valbona Pass (1759 m), into the Valbona Valley (995 m) in the heart of the national park of the same name. The 20-kilometre route follows the path of an old mule track that once connected the tribal areas of Shala and Nikaj.

Route: 19.5 km, ↑ 1068 m ↓850 m

Day 4: Hike Valbona - Cerem

There are two possible routes from Valbone to Cerem: the "low" route (valley) and the spectacular "high" route over the Prosllopi Pass (the one we are doing). This trail leads through Kollata and is a challenging stage. The Kollata trail is very beautiful and offers views of the steep Kollata rocky mountain, which is also used for climbing. Alternatively, the stage can also be completed via a much less strenuous, lower-lying gravel path.

Distance: 14 km, ↑ 1200 m ↓950 m

Day 5: Hike Cerem - Doberdol

Today you will reach two pastoral villages that are only inhabited in summer to utilise the abundant pastures. Doberdol, a village that is only connected to the world by narrow paths and cannot be reached by car. The village lies just below the border triangle between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. On the way, you will also pass through the village of Balqin, where you can stop for a glass of gypsy milk served by the local shepherds.

This part of the mountain massif is strictly protected, as the Sulbica Platou glacial lakes are also located here. The Gashi Valley was also added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017.

Distance: 15.5 km, ↑ 1030 m ↓440 m

Day 6: Hike Doberdol - Gjeravica summit - Doberdol

On this stage you climb the highest mountain in Kosovo and the second highest of the Cursed Mountains after the Jezerca peak. The way up to the summit from Doberdol is a rather easy hike. Today describes a circular route that takes you into Kosovo, a border that is almost completely unprotected. However, during the communist rule in this part of the world, this was the border between Albania and Yugoslavia and thus one of the best guarded borders in the world.

Distance: 18 km, ↑ 915 m ↓915 m

Day 7: Hike Doberdol - Milisevc

Today you are travelling between two pastoral villages that are located in two different countries but share the same culture and language. The two valleys are culturally connected but separated by political borders. Around an hour from the guesthouse, you will reach the narrow pass over the border to Montengro, which offers spectacular views. From here you can climb the 2366 metre-high Tromedja (three-country summit).

This part of the mountain is very well protected, as it is connected from Milisevc to the largest town next to Mount Peja, which we also call the capital of the Cursed Mountains.

Distance: 15.8 km, ↑ 915 m ↓980 m

Day 8: Hike Milisevc - Babino Polje

Today's intense 15.8 kilometre hike offers some of the most breathtaking views in the region and passes glacial lakes and water springs. Some hikers choose to split this hike into two parts: a 7.4 kilometre ascent on the first day and an 8.4 kilometre descent on the second day. However, we will complete this hike in one day. It is therefore not the longest hike of the trip. This part of the trail is often "tourist-free" and offers spectacular views of the town of Peja and the rest of the Cursed Mountains.

Distance: 15.8 km, ↑ 1150 m ↓1100 m

Day 9: Transfer Babino Polje - Grbaja valley. Hike to the Taljanka summit. Transfer to Vusanje

Gerbaja in Montenegro was considered the most beautiful valley in Tito's Yugoslavia, now home to seven independent states. It is a detour from the classic "Peaks of the Balkans", but one that no one should miss. A transfer will take you to the valley and back today. The hike then begins with an ascent to the "green sky" of the Taljanka peak with a view of Karanfil, a rugged, majestic rock massif.

Distance: 9.8 km, ↑ 834 m ↓908 m

Day 10: Hike Vusanje - Theth. Transfer to Shkoder

From Vusanje, you start today's 21-kilometre hike to the historic Albanian village of Theth. The trail leads along the most rugged part of the Cursed Mountains or Prokletije/Albanian Alps, which was also a forbidden zone during the communist era. In addition to the dramatic cliffs that form the backdrop to the day's hike, you will also see several military bunkers and the old border crossing signs as you enter Albania.

After the hike, a transfer will take you to Shkoder.

Distance: 21.3 km, ↑ 1110 m ↓1440 m

Included

GPS tracks for navigation for use via a smartphone app or on your own GPS device
Accommodation for 10 nights in hotels, guesthouses and mountain huts - rooms are shared in the mountains
Transfers to and from Shkodra
10x breakfast, 8x lunch, 8x dinner
If necessary, support from our local office, available around the clock

Not included

Luggage transport (can be offered on request)
Pick-up and return transfer from the airport (can be provided on request)
Travel insurance (should be taken out independently by the traveller)

SECURE YOUR

SPOT HERE:

Select the date on the left
Select the desired tour with "Book now"
Confirm with "Continue" and follow the form
You will then receive a confirmation by email, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have
Payment is made by bank transfer

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Peaks of the Balkans Tour - Information

Transfers

All transfers are in private vehicles, either by minibus, car or four-wheel drive vehicle, depending on road conditions.

We can organise a private transfer e.g. from Tirana airport to Shkodra (€80), just write this in the booking form or reply to the booking confirmation.

Alternatively, there are also buses from Tirana or Podgorica:

Tirana Airport to Shkoder: Departure times are 11:15, 12:45, 17:30 and 20:10 directly from Tirana Airport. A bus ticket costs 1,000 Albanian lek (10 euros) and you pay in cash on the bus. The bus journey from Tirana airport to Shkoder takes about 2 hours.
Podgorica (Flixbus): Arrival times are 09:00 (June to October) and 16:00 (all year round) from the Bus station in the city. A bus ticket costs 12 euros. The bus journey from Podgorica to Shkoder takes approx. 1.5 hours.

Food & Water

The food in this part of the world will be something you will eagerly anticipate at the end of each day. The dishes are freshly prepared in the traditional way and are characterised by a mixture of Balkan, Turkish and European influences. Guest houses serve home-made bread with locally grown vegetables, dairy products and eggs. Dinner includes traditional soups, meat dishes, vegetables and cakes. The guesthouses also prepare a packed lunch for you every day - often consisting of a sandwich with cheese, fruit or vegetables.

Vegetarians and diets are no problemas the host families can offer vegetarian alternatives. However, the choice is sometimes simple and limited.

Bring your own water bottle to fill up for the hike. You can get water from mountain streams or tap water in guesthouses, both of which are of drinking water quality. If you are worried about drinking untreated water, we recommend taking water purification tablets with you. You should have 2-3 litres with you on each stage.

Guest houses

During the trek, you will spend the night in simple lodge-style guesthouses with functional bathroom facilities. The rooms generally offer space for two to five people per room. It may be necessary for male and female participants to share a room, unless otherwise stated on request, although this is not possible in every guest house and depends on the availability of rooms on the day.

Bed linen and blankets, towels, shampoo and other basic items are provided by the guest houses. However, we recommend packing a travelling towel and a hut sleeping bag just in case. It can be very chilly in the mountain village of Doberdol.

Should you need more Luggage than you need for the hike, this can be used during the multi-day hike. be left at the hotel in Shkodrato take it back with you when you return.

Private room

Possible for a surcharge; however very Limited availability. Exclusively private rooms guarantee our 7-day Peaks of the Balkans Tour.

Additional nights

Additional overnight stays in Shkodra before or after the tour can be organised and cost from EUR 50 depending on availability. After completion of your reservation in the booking form here on the site, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail. Simply reply directly to this e-mailto organise your additional nights. You can also ask further questions. Please keep this within reasonable limits (the colour of the bed linen in the guest house can also be changed spontaneously). You will receive the most important general travel information and route description later on anyway.

Terrain during the hike, navigation

This hiking trail is characterised by many descents and ascents. The route leads over a relief that represents alpine terrain with steep slopes, river valleys carved into the mountain, rocky peaks, mountain pine belts etc. However, the paths chosen are mostly easy to walk on and safe.

For navigation you will receive either GPS files that can be downloaded to your own navigation device or alternatively links to routes stored in our app (these can be viewed offline after downloading, you do not need an internet connection in the mountains, only the GPS of your mobile phone must be active).

Time zone

GMT +1

Language & communication

Albanian in Kosovo and Albania, Serbian/Montenegrin in Montenegro. Many people speak English in large cities, but this is often not the case in remote areas. Some people also speak German due to the large diaspora in German-speaking countries.

Sockets & power supply

220V, 50 Hz, two-pole round plug (as in Germany). In most villages, the guesthouses have solar panels, which provide hot water and can be used to charge electrical appliances. In some villages or on the mountain there is also mobile phone reception. Especially in Valbona and Theth you can count on very good mobile phone coverage.

Money & Currency

Euro (EUR) in Kosovo and Montenegro, Lek in Albania, although Euro is also frequently accepted there. ATMs are available in Shkoder (Albania), Peja (Kosovo), Plav (Montenegro) and Gjakova (Kosovo).

Visa requirements

German, Swiss and Austrian citizens can enter Albania without a visa. All you need is an identity card or passport that is valid for at least 3 months.

Packing list

Sturdy (ankle-high) hiking boots
A comfortable second pair of shoes or sandals
Hat or other form of sun protection, in addition to sun cream and glasses
Light rainwear (95 % of rain falls in winter)
Warm fleece jumper & hiking trousers, as the nights are cold even in summer
2 litres of water equipment
Daypack 25-40l
Hut sleeping bag
Swimsuit/shorts (optional, but recommended)

Booking and cancellation conditions

Following your reservation, a deposit of 20 % of the booking price is due by bank transfer, the remaining amount then simply up to 4 weeks before the start of your tour. In the event of cancellation, the deposit is non-refundable.