PEAKS OF THE BALKANS HIKING ADVENTURE
Albania - Montenegro - Kosovo
June 22 - July 4 2026
When you walk the Peaks of the Balkans you traverse the natural spectacle of rugged mountains, remote lakes, beech and pine forests, and expansive valleys.
You trek through terrain that changes from rocky paths and bare peaks to meadows rich with wildflowers and running streams.
You walk across Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo where we are welcomed each day at guesthouses by the warm local culture of hospitality and generosity.
Join our 14-day hiking adventure through the dramatic mountainous landscape of the Albanian Alps and the Prokletije National Park, and experience one of the most diverse walking trails in the world and some of Europe’s last remaining wilderness.
Hike approximately 170 km of the 190 km Peaks of the Balkans circuit, starting in Theth and making our way northeast and following the trail in an anti-clockwise direction.
You just have to fly into Tirana airport and we will pick you up and take care of the rest! Check out the itinerary outline below.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
DAY 1 - transfer from Tirana airport to Shkodër for overnight stay.
DAY 2 - Guided tour of Shkodër’s Rozafa Castle, surrounded by the Drone, Buna and Kiri rivers, explore the town centre and its cultural and historical attractions, 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 - transfer Theth - Nderlyse (Blue Eye Waterfall) - 6 km
Not far from the picturesque village of Theth, is the famed Blue Eye waterfall - it’s a short and easy warm for the following hikes.
Leaving Theth on the first day of our hike.
Descending into the Valbone Valley
DAY 4 - Theth - Valbone 18 km
Following a track with views over the Catholic valley of Shala on one side and the Muslim valley of Valbone we hike a challenging ascent to the Valbone Pass before making our way to the town of Valbone.
Steep hike up the Persllopit Pass from Valbone to Cerem
Making our way down to the small village of Cerem
DAY 5 - Valbone - Cerem 18 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 Persllopit Pass, from where Montenegro’s tallest peak, Zla Kollata (2535 m) can be reached - breathtaking views of the Proklatije (Accursed) Mountains.
Mountains villages between Cerem and Doberdol
Up through the pine forest towards Doberdol
DAY 6 - Cerem - Doberdol 18 km
Doberdol is a shepherds village situated in the Highlands of Gjakova below the triple-border point between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
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 the Sulbica plateau.
Hiking the last 2 km to the Gjeravica Peak summit - the glacial lake below
At the Gjeravica Peak Summit - Kosovo
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 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.
Looking back over Doberdol heading to the Kosovo border
Pausing to take in the views on the hike to Milishevc
DAY 8 - Doberdol - Milishevc 16 km
We cross country borders again 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 can hike up to Three Border Peak (2366m), and enjoy the spectacular views from a border also shared with Montenegro.
In Milishevc we’ll be high in the mountains of Kosovo immersed in a pine forest.
Natural waterfall - leaving Milishevc
Above Balbino Polje - Montenegro
DAY 9 - Milishevc to Balbino Polje 13 km
From Milivshevc 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.
Hrid Lake - Montenegro
Descending into Plav - Montenegro
DAY 10 - Hike Babino Polje – Hrid Lake - Plav 22 km
This is a longish trail - there is always the option to shorten it with a car transfer from Hrid Lake to Plav.
Hrid Lake is the third glacial lake you will see when entering from Kosovo.
If you are brave you can go for 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.
Back in Montenegro, Plav will feel like a large metropolis after the previous 8 days.
Spectacular views on the Talijanka Loop
Lunch with a view
Day 11 - Transfer Plav - Grebaje Valley. Hike to Talijanka Loop. Transfer to Vusanje - 14 km
We detour from the main Peaks of Balkans trail to walk into the Grebaje Valley.
One of the most panoramic views in the whole trail.
Early morning views from Vusange guesthouse
In the heart of the Albania Alps on the way to Theth
Day 12 - Hike Vusanje - Theth
The last stretch of our adventure is a 20 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.
One last view of the Albanian Alps
Who can resist a pic with this backdrop - leaving Theth, on the road to Shkodër.
Janelle Giuliani testimonial
Day 13 - Transfer to Shkodër
One last celebratory dinner in this beautiful regional centre in Albania.
DAY 14 - Departure Day
We’ll arrange private transfers to take you back at the airport in Tirana.
FAQ
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The best airport to fly into is Tirana International Airport in Albania
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Most visitors to the region can stay in Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo for up to 90 days without a visa.
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No, you have to get your own return ticket to Albania, but once you are there we take care of everything else including all transfers, meals, accommodation, transport, all activities and material for activities and us 24/7 at you service.
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Absolutely!
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You will only need to travel with a day pack - we offer a luggage transport service for an addition cost of $380 per person.
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Build up your walking stamina and strength by walking regularly. Build up slowly from what you are used to until you can walk for 6 or more hours in one go. Make sure you incorporate hills, beach walking and definitely carry some weight. A more detailed training plan will come your way as soon as you book.
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We require everyone to have fully comprehensive travel insurance for this reason.
We have a sat phone and all the first aid equipment necessary to treat minor injuries or temporary ailments.
If any serious injuries occur, we will get the injured person to a regional centre by car. If anyone needs a few days we can arrange extra transport for anyone who cannot walk - extra charges may apply. -
We stay in guesthouses every night - the accommodation is twin share with a shared bathroom - but we can arrange a single supplement if the request is made with plenty of time.
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In Albania and Kosovo the principal language is Albanian. In Montenegro they speak Serbo-Croatian.
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In most places Euros are accepted - however in Albania the Lek is the official currency. Many places outside of cities will only take cash but there are plenty of ATMs in the regional centres.
