Peaks of the Balkans Trail: All You Need to Know

The Peaks of the Balkans Trek crosses several countries that were once allies under the Yugoslavian flag. The country borders were shifted and rivalry arose between them. This is now a thing of the past, as countries such as Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo have realised that good cooperation is essential to all. The Peaks of the Balkans is an excellent example; this relatively new route connects the three countries with untouched hiking trails. This has only been possible for a few years, as borders remained closed previously. This region is home to the brown bear, but also animals like the wolf and the lynx. Through the so-called Balkan Green Belt initiative, set up in 1999, these animals are protected without being restricted by borders. Cross three countries, enjoy the breathtaking views, experience life far away from the outside world, let your equipment be carried by a donkey and cross several UNESCO heritage sites; the Balkans are waiting for you!

The Peaks of the Balkans are a collection of beautiful and spectacular mountains shared by Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. The Peaks of the Balkans Trail connects the three countries with a circular hiking route. The entire route is signposted, a map of the route can be found below.

The Peaks of the Balkans Trail takes you through a remote and unspoiled mountain region in the Western Balkans. The circuit has 192km of marked hiking trails through picturesque villages and remote valleys. The route winds through the high Alpine mountains, crossing several mountain landscapes with a diversity of breathtaking views. Green valleys, crystal-clear mountain lakes, waterfalls and rivers, there is plenty to discover. This hidden gem has many picturesque mountain villages where time seems to have stood still. Until 20 years ago, the region was virtually inaccessible to visitors, which makes it an authentic cultural experience today. With elevations of 1000m per day, the trek is certainly not to be underestimated; you will be on the road for 5 to 8 hours a day. For the real mountain goats!

What peaks do you encounter?

• Maja Kolata (2,528 m/8,291 ft)
• Maja Rosit (2,533 m/8,310 ft)
• Maja Jezerec (2,694 m/8,839 ft)
• Maja Harapit (2,218 m/7,277 ft)
• Valbona Pass (1,795 m/5,889 ft)
• Maja e Berizhdolit (1,977 m/6,486 ft)

• Gjeravica (2,656 m/8,714 ft)

• Vrh bora (2,106 m/6,910 ft)
• Talijanka Peak (2,057 m/6,749 ft)

The Peaks of the Balkans trail has several starting points. In Albania, you can start either in Theth or in Valbona. You fly to the capital Tirana and travel to the starting point by public transport. Starting in Theth means that you will immediately get to know the National Park of the same name. In Valbona it is no different; you step directly into the Valbona Valley National Park. Because of the connections by air, with an international airport in Tirana, these are the most popular starting points. However, there are more possibilities.

In Montenegro, (black mountain) you can fly to the capital Podgorica, from where you can travel to Plav by public transport. Plav is one of the larger towns you will encounter on the way and a great opportunity to stock up. The last possibility to reach the trail is via Rekë e Allagës, a town in Kosovo. You fly to Kosovo's capital Pristina and arrive in Rekë e Allagës via several bus connections. Signposting quality on this part of the trek is lower than in Albania and Montenegro.

Whether you want to go out on your own or with a guide, it is up to you! The route is generally clearly marked, although orientation can be difficult in bad weather. The mountains are full of surprises and the weather in the Balkans can be unpredictable. Therefore you can choose the convenience of a guided trek.

During the day, you make a physical effort, so you don't want to compromise your sleep. You will stay in guesthouses and shepherd's huts. They are often small but cosy accommodations where you get the chance to meet the locals. Most guesthouses have sheets, blankets and pillows available. You will be welcomed with open arms and enjoy fresh meals made from local products — salads with cucumber, tomato and onion, or stuffed peppers with green beans stewed in milk. And top it all off with a cup of Turkish coffee! Do not drink your mug empty, there will always be some coffee left at the bottom.

The same applies to the shepherd's huts, although you may expect less comfort. The facilities are basic but certainly sufficient for a good night's sleep! Enjoy the simple but nutritious stews or take a slice of crumbly white cheese. With a bit of luck, you can also taste some of the homemade jam.

The best months for this trek are from mid-June to mid-September. The summer months in this region are relatively warm due to its geographical location. The average temperature during the summer months (July, August and September) is around 25 °C. Please note that the higher altitude areas can be cooler. In July and August, you will encounter most people on the trail. September, October and mid-November are considered the ideal months, as there is no snow yet and the trail is much quieter.

In winter (November, December, January, February and March), temperatures can drop significantly. In the mountains you will find snow, making the area very suitable for winter sports. Accommodation is scarce in these months. The transition periods between winter and summer are unstable. A day with temperatures of 25 °C is certainly not unusual, but it can be 15 °C cooler the next day. This is especially true in April, May, June and October. From the middle of May until the end of June, the weather conditions are suitable for a nice trek and you will not find many other hikers on the route.

Are you planning to discover the Balkans via the Peaks of the Balkans Trail? An excellent idea! What costs should you take into account when organising this trek on your own initiative? First of all, the journey to the starting point of the trail. For a return flight to Tirana (Albania) you pay about € 300,-; depending on the country of origin. During the trek you stay mainly in guesthouses, for half board you pay about € 25,- per night. For dinner you'll pay about € 8,- . This information has been processed into an example below; it gives a good indication of the costs:

• Number of persons: 2
• Number of days: 10
• Flight Tirana (Albania): € 600,-
• Guesthouses: € 450,-
• Accommodation before/after: € 200,-
• Meals: € 160,-
• Cross border permits: € 50,-
• Taxes: € 40,-
• Transport: € 100,-
• Personal expenses: € 100,-

Total expenses: € 1700,-

During the Peaks of the Balkans Trail you cross several country borders. Fortunately, you can apply for a Cross Border Permit to cross the various borders without problems. You can apply for this permit via the local authorities. But what happens if you cross the border without a permit? Then you are actually committing two offences, one in the country you are coming from and one in the country you are going to. Don't be afraid of a prison sentence, but a fine of around €300,- is not unusual. Be clever and arrange this in advance.

Luggage transport during the Peaks of the Balkans Trek is certainly possible. Perhaps this is convenient for you because, otherwise, you will be carrying equipment for several days. The challenge is not to compromise on quality. If you do opt for the convenience of luggage transport, then you have come to the right place! What's more, you can give your experience that little bit of authenticity because your gear is carried by a donkey. This is possible in the 10-day Peaks of the Balkans trek offered by Choose Balkans. Or read on to see the program of this trek.

During the trek, you will pass several villages and enjoy beautiful views. Below, for the curious among us, is the what-is-there-to-see list. Worthwhile to push some of these terms through a search engine!

Places

Albania

• Tamarë
• Lëpushë
• Theth
• Dobërdoll
• Çerem

Kosovo

• Junik

Montenegro

• Vuthaj

Parks and lakes

• Blue Eye Theth
• Nationaal Park Valbonëdal

Sights

• The Old Church of Theth
• ‘’Lock in’’ Tower in Theth
• The Archaeological Museum in Prizren
• The Church of Our Lady Ljevis in Prizren
• Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
• Prizren fortress
• The bazaar in Prizren

Perhaps some of your questions remained unanswered, but we are not quite there yet. For example, what about mobile phone coverage? And is it safe to drink the water? Here is some more information on practicalities.

Mobile phone and coverage

During the trek, you have limited range. In most villages, there is a good telephone connection, but not in every town. 112, the European emergency phone number, can still be used in this trek, but hereafter, you can find some useful phone numbers that you might want to save on your phone. In Albania, the emergency number for the police is 192 and for the ambulance 127. In Montenegro, dial 122 for the police and 124 for an ambulance; in Kosovo, dial 192 for the police and 194 for an ambulance.

Drinking water

Plenty of clean drinking water is available during your Peaks of the Balkans trek. You may assume you will encounter a reliable water source at least once a day. Keep in mind that the water is not always drinkable, taking a water filter with you is not an excessive luxury.

Payment

In Montenegro and Kosovo you pay with the Euro, in Albania, the currency is the Albanian Lek. Assuming you can't get money at the ATM, make sure you have enough cash with you before starting the trek. In some accommodations, it is only possible to pay in cash. You can often pay with a credit card in the larger towns, but not in the smaller villages. So be prepared!