Peaks of the Balkans 12-day Hiking Tour
From AUD
A$6,880.00
- Duration: 12 Days (approx.)
- Product code: POB24
Join us for a 12-day hiking experience through the dramatic mountainous landscape of the Peaks of the Balkans and experience one of the most diverse walking trails in the world
As we traverse the natural spectacle of rugged mountains, remote lakes, and valleys, terrain that changes from rocky paths and bare peaks to meadows rich with wildflowers and plants, we’ll walk across Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo staying each night in the homes/farms and guest houses of local villages.
Experience kind hospitality in three Western Balkan countries where guests are received with generosity and warmth.
DAY 2 - it’s a free day, and we’ve planned to start the day on Shkoder Lake kayaking towards the Adriatic. Before it gets too hot, we’ll transfer to the city centre and make our way through its cultural and historical attractions, including the Rozafa Castle, engulfed by the Drone, Buna and Kiri rivers, maybe drop into the Marubi National Photography Museum, and wonder around the old city centre with its mosques and churches.
DAY 3 - Transfer to Theth - hike Theth - Nderlyse - 19 km
We’ll start our long but relaxing walk in the picturesque village of Theth, where there are some buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, including the three storey, windowless Kulla e Ngujimit building, made entirely of stone, that served as a hiding place for people in violent conflicts. We can expect to see waterfalls, watering holes in the Shala River and lots of natural beauty.
DAY 4 - Theth - Valbone 16.4 km
We’ll follow a mule track with a view over a Catholic valley of Shala on one side and a Muslim valley of Valbone on a challenging ascent to the Valbone Pass before making our way to the town of Valbone.
DAY 5 - Valbone - Cerem 15.5 km
While this is probably the steepest trail on the Peaks of the Balkans it is also the one with the most awe-inspiring views.
We’ll make our way over the Presllopi Pass, from where Montenegro’s tallest peak, Zla Kollata 2535 mt, can be reached and access breathtaking views of the Accursed Mountains.
DAY 6 - Cerem - Doberdol 16.8 km
Doberdol is a shepherds village situated in the Highlands of Gjakova below the triple-border point between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro and is not accessible by vehicles, only by small tracks.
On the way we pass through the village of Balqin where we can stop for local cake and coffee served by the local shepherds.
These mountains are part of the UNESCO listed Gashi Valley and home to glacial lakes of Sulbica plateau.
DAY 7 - Doberdol - Gjeravica Peak 11.8 km
Today we can choose to have a rest day or to climb to Gjeravica Peak the highest peak in Kosovo (2656m) and the second highest in the Accursed Mountains, after Jezerca Peak.
We follow a circular trail that takes us directly from Doberdol to the border with Kosovo. This is now a quiet and uneventful border, but during the communist regime it was the border between Albania and Yugoslavia and one of the most protected border in the world.
We’ll enjoy another hearty meal and a good rest.
We cross country borders from Albania to Kosovo and from one shepherd village to another. The villages are located within different political borders, but the people share the same culture and language.
We hike up to Three Border Peak (2366m), and enjoy the spectacular views from a border also shared with Montenegro.
In Milisevc, we’ll receive a warm and hospitable welcome and be served nourishing food before we enjoy a well-deserved rest.
DAY 9 - Milisevc to Balbino Polje 12.9 km
From Milivsevc we deviate from section of the Peaks of the Balkans trail to avoid bitumen roads and unnecessary car transfers. Instead we hike through some abandoned trails and rejoin the Peaks of the Balkans to make our way from Kuqishte to Babino Polje.
This is one of the most remote sections of the entire trail. Balbino Polje is a traditional Montenegrin shepherd village known for its dairy products and original cuisine.
There’ll be some good cheeses.
DAY 10 - Hike Babino Polje – Hrid Lake - Treskavica. Transfer to Plav
There are no uphill challenges on this longish trail - there is always the option to shorten it with a car transfer from Hrid Lake to Treskavica.
Hrid Lake is the third glacial lake you will see when entering from Kosovo.
For the brave hikers the lake offers the opportunity to take a swim.
During this hike you will also be going through the most protected part of the Accursed Mountain and the village of Treskavica.
Treskavica is a very small seasonal settlement, where people only live in the summer. From here a shortcut transfer to Plav is also possible.
Back in Montenegro, Plav will feel like a large metropolis after the previous 8 days.
Day 11 - Transfer Plav - Grbaja Valley. Hike to Taljanka peak. Transfer back to Vusanje
We detour from the main Peaks of Balkans trail to walk into the Gerbaja Valley.
When the independent states that once made up the former Yugoslavia were under the rule of the infamous Tito, the Gerbaja Valley was considered the most beautiful place in Yugoslavia.
It is one of the most panoramic in the whole trail.
Day 12 - Hike Vusanje - Theth. Transfer to Shkodër
The last stretch of our adventure is a 23 km hike back to the historic Albanian village of Theth.
This is the craggiest part of the Accursed Mountains also called Prokletije or the Albanian Alps.
Remnants of military bunkers are a reminder of the area’s restrictions during communist rule.
We transfer straight back to Shkoder after the hike.
DAY 13 - Departure Day
We’ll arrange private transfers to take you back at the airport.
DAY 2 - it’s a free day, and we’ve planned to start the day on Shkoder Lake kayaking towards the Adriatic. Before it gets too hot, we’ll transfer to the city centre and make our way through its cultural and historical attractions, including the Rozafa Castle, engulfed by the Drone, Buna and Kiri rivers, maybe drop into the Marubi National Photography Museum, and wonder around the old city centre with its mosques and churches.
DAY 3 - Transfer to Theth - hike Theth - Nderlyse - 19 km
We’ll start our long but relaxing walk in the picturesque village of Theth, where there are some buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, including the three storey, windowless Kulla e Ngujimit building, made entirely of stone, that served as a hiding place for people in violent conflicts. We can expect to see waterfalls, watering holes in the Shala River and lots of natural beauty.
DAY 4 - Theth - Valbone 16.4 km
We’ll follow a mule track with a view over a Catholic valley of Shala on one side and a Muslim valley of Valbone on a challenging ascent to the Valbone Pass before making our way to the town of Valbone.
DAY 5 - Valbone - Cerem 15.5 km
While this is probably the steepest trail on the Peaks of the Balkans it is also the one with the most awe-inspiring views.
We’ll make our way over the Presllopi Pass, from where Montenegro’s tallest peak, Zla Kollata 2535 mt, can be reached and access breathtaking views of the Accursed Mountains.
DAY 6 - Cerem - Doberdol 16.8 km
Doberdol is a shepherds village situated in the Highlands of Gjakova below the triple-border point between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro and is not accessible by vehicles, only by small tracks.
On the way we pass through the village of Balqin where we can stop for local cake and coffee served by the local shepherds.
These mountains are part of the UNESCO listed Gashi Valley and home to glacial lakes of Sulbica plateau.
DAY 7 - Doberdol - Gjeravica Peak 11.8 km
Today we can choose to have a rest day or to climb to Gjeravica Peak the highest peak in Kosovo (2656m) and the second highest in the Accursed Mountains, after Jezerca Peak.
We follow a circular trail that takes us directly from Doberdol to the border with Kosovo. This is now a quiet and uneventful border, but during the communist regime it was the border between Albania and Yugoslavia and one of the most protected border in the world.
We’ll enjoy another hearty meal and a good rest.
We cross country borders from Albania to Kosovo and from one shepherd village to another. The villages are located within different political borders, but the people share the same culture and language.
We hike up to Three Border Peak (2366m), and enjoy the spectacular views from a border also shared with Montenegro.
In Milisevc, we’ll receive a warm and hospitable welcome and be served nourishing food before we enjoy a well-deserved rest.
DAY 9 - Milisevc to Balbino Polje 12.9 km
From Milivsevc we deviate from section of the Peaks of the Balkans trail to avoid bitumen roads and unnecessary car transfers. Instead we hike through some abandoned trails and rejoin the Peaks of the Balkans to make our way from Kuqishte to Babino Polje.
This is one of the most remote sections of the entire trail. Balbino Polje is a traditional Montenegrin shepherd village known for its dairy products and original cuisine.
There’ll be some good cheeses.
DAY 10 - Hike Babino Polje – Hrid Lake - Treskavica. Transfer to Plav
There are no uphill challenges on this longish trail - there is always the option to shorten it with a car transfer from Hrid Lake to Treskavica.
Hrid Lake is the third glacial lake you will see when entering from Kosovo.
For the brave hikers the lake offers the opportunity to take a swim.
During this hike you will also be going through the most protected part of the Accursed Mountain and the village of Treskavica.
Treskavica is a very small seasonal settlement, where people only live in the summer. From here a shortcut transfer to Plav is also possible.
Back in Montenegro, Plav will feel like a large metropolis after the previous 8 days.
Day 11 - Transfer Plav - Grbaja Valley. Hike to Taljanka peak. Transfer back to Vusanje
We detour from the main Peaks of Balkans trail to walk into the Gerbaja Valley.
When the independent states that once made up the former Yugoslavia were under the rule of the infamous Tito, the Gerbaja Valley was considered the most beautiful place in Yugoslavia.
It is one of the most panoramic in the whole trail.
Day 12 - Hike Vusanje - Theth. Transfer to Shkodër
The last stretch of our adventure is a 23 km hike back to the historic Albanian village of Theth.
This is the craggiest part of the Accursed Mountains also called Prokletije or the Albanian Alps.
Remnants of military bunkers are a reminder of the area’s restrictions during communist rule.
We transfer straight back to Shkoder after the hike.
DAY 13 - Departure Day
We’ll arrange private transfers to take you back at the airport.
