Peaks of Balkans 2025

10 Days Guided

Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the breathtaking Peaks of the Balkans trail. Hike through the untouched Accursed Mountains, spanning three Balkan countries. This hidden gem of Europe is renowned for its stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, and welcoming locals. Experience the magic of this unspoiled corner of the continent!

Highlights of the Peaks of the Balkans Trek

  • Theth Village – Explore one of Albania’s most picturesque and charming mountain villages.
  • Hiking in the Wild – Venture into one of Europe’s last untouched natural havens.
  • Three Countries, One Trek – Cross the borders of Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo in a single hike.
  • Gjeravica Peak – Reach Kosovo’s highest peak, surrounded by glacial lakes and home to the rare Triton salamanders.
  • Cold War Bunkers – Discover Albania’s historic bunkers, once built for defense, now symbols of peace and unity.
  • Taljanka & Gerbaja Valley – Hike through one of the most stunning valleys in the former Yugoslavia, featuring ancient Bronze Age carvings of wolves and warriors.
  • Culinary Delights – Savor the unique mountain cuisine and experience the warm hospitality of local villagers in the Accursed Mountains.

Price: €980

 

Dates 2025:

May 24 – June 3 

June 14 – 24   

July 5 – 15    

July 19 – 29    

August 9 – 19  

August 23 – September 2

September 6 – 16

September 20 – 30

October 4 – 14

Upon arrival in Shkoder, check in to your hotel and prepare for the adventure ahead. In the evening, from 20:00 to 21:00, meet your guide and fellow travelers for a briefing on the journey. The starting point is conveniently accessible from several airports: Podgorica and Tirana (1 hr 30 min), Tivat (2 hrs 40 min), Prishtina (3 hrs 40 min), and Skopje (4 hrs 40 min). For a hassle-free arrival, airport transfers can be arranged upon request.

  • Distance: 19.8 km (12.3 mi)
  • Elevation Gain: 520 m (1,710 ft)
  • Elevation Loss: 630 m (2,066 ft)
  • Minimum Elevation: 870 m (2,854 ft)
  • Maximum Elevation: 500 m (1,640 ft)

Your Peaks of the Balkans adventure begins with a transfer from Shkoder to Ndërlyse, a charming hamlet nestled at the foot of the trail. This village is home to the stunning Shala River, which has sculpted natural rock pools and waterfalls over time. After a brief exploration of these unique formations, you’ll set off on an easy hike towards Theth, taking in the serene beauty of the region.

Cultural Insights : Ndërlyse and Theth are Roman Catholic villages with deep historical and religious significance. In Ndërlyse, you’ll find the remnants of Saint Veneranda Church, where locals still gather every July 25th to honor the saint. In Theth, the most iconic landmark is the Lock Tower (Kulla e Ngujimit), once used as a refuge under the ancient Kanun law, where men accused of murder sought shelter

  • Distance: 16.4 km (10.5 mi)
  • Elevation Gain: 1,175 m (3,855 ft)
  • Elevation Loss: 940 m (3,080 ft)
  • Minimum Elevation: 730 m (2,390 ft)
  • Maximum Elevation: 1,854 m (6,082 ft)

This section of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail offers a true immersion into the rugged beauty of the Accursed Mountains. The hike begins and ends in traditional mountain villages, with a diverse landscape in between. You’ll traverse meadows, dense woodlands, rocky paths, and ridgeline trails, all while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views. A highlight of the day is spotting the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, a remarkable natural wonder. Despite its stunning scenery, this trail remains relatively undiscovered, offering a peaceful and authentic trekking experience.

Cultural Insights : Valbona is predominantly a Muslim-majority valley, though some Catholic families migrated here from Theth. Local legend tells of the village’s origins—founded by an orphan who journeyed from Vuthaj/Vusanje, in present-day Montenegro, to settle in this remote yet beautiful valley.

Distance: 15.5 km (9.63 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1215m (3986ft)
Downhill cumulative: 1005m (3300ft)
Minimal elevation: 1215m (3985ft)
Maximal elevation: 2039m (6689ft)

This trail leads to the Montenegrin border and the country’s highest peak, Kollata e Keqe. For a strong group, the peak can be added to the itinerary with advance notice. Including the peak would make this the highest and longest hike of the trip.

To enhance the experience, Balkan Natural Adventure has modified the classic Peaks of the Balkans route, avoiding gravelly, dusty tractor roads. From the highest point of the hike, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of mountain ranges stretching across all three countries.

Cultural Insights: Cerem is a small, largely abandoned village, inhabited only during the summer by shepherds. In winter, harsh conditions and heavy snowfall block the road to Valbone, leaving the village completely unoccupied.

Distance: 16.8 km (10.43 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1100m (3608ft)
Downhill cumulative: 520m (1706ft)
Minimal elevation: 1180m (3871ft)
Maximal elevation: 1920m (6299ft)

After two days of hiking through diverse landscapes, this trail will immerse you in lush greenery. The entire route to Doberdol showcases the region’s rich flora, covering vast pastures. Along the way, villagers offer natural products, drinks, and refreshments, while two makeshift cafés nestled under tree canopies add a unique charm to the journey. The scenery is further enriched by sheep, goats, cows, and horses, which play a vital role in the local economy. You will also pass through some of the world’s oldest woodlands.

Cultural Insights: The Gashi Valley begins in this region, home to ancient woodlands that have been under UNESCO protection since 2017 as part of the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians. These forests also form part of the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany, now spanning 12 countries.

Distance: 18.5 km (5.63 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 955m (3133ft)
Downhill cumulative: 960m (3149ft)
Minimal elevation: 1750m (5741ft)
Maximal elevation: 2656m (8713ft)


You can either climb Kosovo’s highest peak, Gjeravica, or spend the day on a scenic plateau above the tree line, surrounded by shepherds, goats, sheep, and cows. This trail winds through lakes, small streams, and ridges, offering open views of the surrounding mountains. A unique feature of this route is its glacial lakes, home to the Triton salamander—a species that serves as an indicator of the water’s pristine purity.

Cultural Insights: This trail leads into Kosovo, crossing a border that is now scarcely monitored. However, during the communist era, this was the heavily guarded frontier between Albania and Yugoslavia—once one of the most fortified borders in the world.

Distance: 15 km (9.3 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 480m (1574ft)
Downhill cumulative: 790m (2591ft)
Minimal elevation: 1670m (5479ft)
Maximal elevation: 2240m (7349ft)

 

This section offers spectacular views in all directions and crosses through different passes, among them Qafa Bogice Pass, Qafa Belegu Pass, and Qafa Roshkodoli Pass. The characteristic of this trail is that both Gacaferi pastures and Milishevc are not villages but summer camps for shepherds. Additionally, they are the most remote locations on the trail, making this hike very special.

Cultural Insights: Milisevc is a small, remote summer settlement that has a good connection with the city of Peja, and more and more mountain huts in the village are being used for tourist purposes.

Distance: 12.5 km (7.76 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 610 m (2000 ft)
Downhill cumulative: 775 m (2540 ft)
Minimal elevation: 1508 m (4945 ft)
Maximal elevation: 2155 m (7070 ft)



This Peaks of the Balkans 2025 hike includes a detour from the classic trail. Balkan Natural Adventure designed this alternative route to bypass less scenic sections and reduce the need for car transfers. The hike will take you through some of the least-explored trails of the Accursed Mountains in Kosovo, offering a more immersive experience. You will rejoin the classic trail at the Liqenat to Babino Polje section, passing through Zavoj Ravno Selo.

Cultural Insights: Babino Polje, meaning “Grandma’s Fields,” is a stunning spot along the Peaks of the Balkans trail in Montenegro. The Montenegrin Muslim community here is known for its warm hospitality—be sure to share a glass of rakija with them!

Distance: 9.2 km (5.71 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1100m (3605ft)
Downhill cumulative: 995m (3260ft)
Minimal elevation: 1140m (3740ft)
Maximal Elevation 2057m (6748ft)

Gerbaja is another detour from the classic version of our Peaks of the Balkans 2020 trail. All of our guides agree that it is a pity to come to the region and miss the view from Gerbaja. It is situated in Montenegro and considered the most beautiful valley in Tito’s Yugoslavia, now home to seven independent states. You will start the hike with a 20-minute transport to climb the Taljanka peak.

Cultural Insights: Gerbaja is home to a bronze-age rock engraving of a mother and father protecting their child from wolves. They call it The Great Mother. Locals believe that the rock has healing powers and helps women’s fertility.

Distance: 17.8 km (11.06 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 922m (3024 ft)
Downhill cumulative: 1323m (4340 ft)
Minimal elevation: 730m (2395 ft)
Maximal elevation: 1740m (5705 ft)


From Vusanje, you will begin your return hike to the historic Albanian village of Theth. This route passes through some of the most rugged sections of the Accursed Mountains, a once-forbidden zone during the Communist era. The journey starts through the Ropojane Valley, flanked by rocky gullies on both sides. The valley stretches for approximately 6.5 km, mostly following a 4WD track until it reaches Ropojane Lake, which only fills with water depending on the previous winter’s snowfall. If preferred, a car transfer can be arranged to cover this initial section.

Beyond the valley, the hike features dramatic cliffs, a military bunker, and remnants of the old border crossing as you enter Albania. You will pass by Ropojane Lake, which marks the border between the two countries. This is the rockiest hike of the entire trip, offering breathtaking views of mountains, meadows, and valleys. The trail ends in Theth, completing the loop. After a well-deserved rest, you will be transferred to Shkodra for the night, where accommodation is included.