Peaks of the Balkans Trail: A Beginners Guide


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Last Updated on May 21, 2022 by Audrey Scott

Each year we like to go on a long multi-day hike, one that takes us to a new region somewhere in the mountains. This hiking is an exercise for the body and also for the mind. To disconnect with our day-to-day and also to reconnect with a region once unknown to us and learn about it through its nature and people.

Our trek of 200 km / 125 miles through the mountains of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo along a the Peaks of the Balkans Trail was one we’ll never forget.

Peaks of the Balkans Trek

We had high expectations from the almost two years of planning since the first time we'd heard of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail. In the end, however, our experience exceeded our expectations — both in terms of the extent of dramatic mountain landscapes as well as the cultural context.

We found research for this hike a bit difficult, however, and clear information lacking. Having fielded numerous questions about hiking the Peaks of the Balkans trail and more generally the region referred to as the Accursed Mountains, we decided to capture in one place all the information we ourselves could have used before setting off — which trek and trails to choose, how to find a trekking agency, whether to have a guide, when to go, how to get there, and more.

So we created this Peaks of the Balkans Beginner’s Guide with all the information we would have wanted to know when we first started planning and researching this hike.

We hope it encourages you to consider making the journey to take your own Peaks of the Balkans hike.

May 2022 COVID-19 Update: Before embarking on a Peaks of the Balkans trek this summer be sure to do your research on possible travel restrictions and closed border crossings to/from and between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time, (May 2022) a full Peaks of the Balkans is possible and cross-border permits are available as the participating countries have dropped most Covid travel restrictions. Be sure to check the requirements of each country, however, before starting your hike. Here is a handy summary of relevant Peaks of the Balkans Covid and border information. Most guest houses along the trail should still be open and have received special COVID-19 hygiene and safety instructions. However, it's always best if you can call in advance to be sure they are open and so that they can expect you.

Peaks of the Balkans Guide

Update: You can now buy the Peaks of the Balkans: A Beginner's Guide (pdf) with all the information from this site with extra packing details and other goodies in an easy ebook that you can download and take with you.

What is the Peaks of the Balkans?

The Peaks of the Balkans (PoB) is a 192-km cross-border trekking trail through the Accursed Mountains of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. The premise of the route was to offer a culturally immersive adventure travel and sustainable tourism product that would also support local families in remote mountain areas through hikers staying the night at family homestays or guest houses.

At first blush, this sort of cross-border project may not sound like a big deal. But, when you consider the region’s turbulent history and once tightly controlled borders, it is. Virtually free movement across borders is now possible in a way that was inconceivable a couple of decades ago. The various bunker ruins and abandoned guard towers scattered across the region stand testament to this and to the winds of change.

Peaks of the Balkans, Border Crossing
Remote border crossing, Montenegro into Albania.

Choosing a Peaks of the Balkans Trail

Peaks of the Balkans Trail (original): 10-12 Days

The full Peaks of the Balkans trek is a 192 kilometer (119 mile) circuit through the remote mountain areas of northern Albania, western Kosovo and southern Montenegro. The trail is designed to be accomplished in ten days, including overnight home stays with families in local villages.

Peaks of the Balkans Map

Peaks of the Balkans Map
Official Peaks of the Balkans Trail Map

The trail is a loop, so you can begin and end it in any number of locations. Theth or Valbona, Albania are the most common trailheads. However, you can also choose to set off from Pejë (Kosovo) or Plav (Montenegro).

The official Peaks of the Balkans trail (above) purportedly features some dull moments, including dirt and tarmac roads rather than mountain trails. This was partly the result of politics, to ensure that trekkers following the route would spend an equivalent number of days in each of the three countries. As such, the official trail is not always optimized for the best views or experiences.

Private trekking agencies have since stepped in to offer routes that include a “best of” Peaks of the Balkans and other alternative trekking experiences that remain aligned with organizing premise of supporting rural and sustainable tourism, while delivering a more memorable experience.

This is what we did.

Modified Peaks of the Balkans Trail (Our Route): 12 Days

Peaks of the Balkans Trek: Our Route
You can view and interact with the actual Google Map here or by clicking on the image above.

You can find all the details of our modified route in this Peaks of the Balkans, Day by Day article, including the itinerary, distances and trekking times. We've also incorporated all of this into a nifty Peaks of the Balkans table with itinerary, accommodation and transport information. Finally, you can see the visual of our route in the Google Map above.

There are endless options when considering an optimal Peaks of the Balkans itinerary. This is a strength of the route, but it also can result in decision paralysis. We know this well from our own experience. To help you out, here are the main changes and additions we made to the original Peaks of the Balkans route on our modified 12-day trek. We recommend all of them, as they formed some of the best experiences of our journey.

Peaks of the Balkans, Lake Koman Ferry
One of an endless string of views along the Lake Koman Ferry ride. A great way to begin your journey.

Recommended Adjustments to the Peaks of the Balkans Trail

Ferry Across Lake Koman, Albania: Begin your adventure in Shkodër and take an early morning public bus to catch the ferry from Koman to Fierzë. The 3-hour journey across this manmade lake will take you through stunning canyon and mountain scenery, and will cost only 500 lek (€4/$5).

Valbona to Çerem, Albania: There is the standard Peaks of the Balkans route to get to Çerem, but we suggest you take the trail that goes through Qafa Perslopit and Stanet e Derzhanes. You begin from Valbona with a steep 1200m/2900 ft climb from Valbona, but the trail is beautiful and is worth the effort.

Peaks of the Balkans Trail, Valbona to Cerem, Albania
Mountain vistas on the way from Valbona to Cerem in the Accursed Mountains of Albania.

Not only can you enjoy great views of the granite peaks of the Accursed Mountains, but you cross high pastures filled with shepherds' huts. You may even find yourself welcomed in one of them for coffee, as we were.

Mt. Gjeravica, Kosovo: This trail from the shepherd village of Dobërdol, Albania will take you across several mountain passes, valleys and lakes to finally reach the summit of Mt Gjeravica, the highest peak in Kosovo (2,656m/8,714ft). The views from the top, especially of the turquoise alpine lakes below are impressive. If you are interested in taking this side trip detour, you'll need to arrange transport from Gropa Erenikut.

Peaks of the Balkans Trail Kosovo, Mount Gjeravica
Audrey descends from the highest peak in Kosovo – Mount Gjeravica. Peaks of the Balkans trek.

Mt. Hajla, Kosovo: This is an easy side trip from the standard Peaks of the Balkans trail between the villages of Reka e Allages and Drelaj, Kosovo. From below, Mt Hajla may not look like much, but once you get to the top and walk along its ridge you will not be disappointed by the views into both Kosovo and Montenegro.

Peaks of the Balkans Trail Kosovo, Mount Hajla
Audrey enjoys walking the ridge at the top of Mt. Hajla, looking into both Kosovo and Montenegro.

Vermosh–Mt. Grebenit–Lëpushë–Mt. Talijanka–Grbaja Valley, Albania and Montenegro: We're actually surprised that this two-day route is not part of the standard Peaks of the Balkans route as it has, in our opinion, some of the best mountain views in the area.

You can add this on easily from Plav, Montenegro, by hiring a taxi to take you over the Albanian border towards Vermosh village. From there you can find the trail to Mt. Grebenit and finally to Lëpushë where you rest overnight before climbing Mt Talijanka the next day. The descent from this peak features the stunning granite peaks of the Karanfil Mountains on the border of Albania and Montenegro.

Albania Trekking, Karanfil Mountains
Audrey attempts to capture the grandeur of the Karanfil Mountains.

Peaks of the Balkans Hike: Independently, with a Guide or Guided Tour?

If you are planning any cross-border multi-day treks along the more remote, challenging portions of the trail, we recommend hiring a trekking guide. (In our Peaks of the Balkans, Day by Day article, we highlight which segments do not require a guide.) However, if you are on a strict budget there are some day treks in the more popular areas that you could do independently. We list these below.

When it comes to crossing some of the more poorly marked mountain passes, forests, and remote borders — and finding guesthouses at the end of the day — having a guide is not only a matter of safety, but also one of being able to focus on enjoying the journey rather than finding your way.

Our guide also provided a great deal of natural, cultural, and historical context which enhanced our understanding and appreciation of where we were. He also served as translator for conversations with shepherds and local families we encountered.

Peaks of the Balkans, Trekking Guide
Pointing the path to the top of Mt. Hajla, Kosovo.

Many of the Peaks of the Balkans trails, especially in parts of Kosovo and Montenegro, remain very poorly marked despite development funds having been provided for local guides to do so. One explanation given to us: execution was deliberately botched because some locals felt that if the trails were too well marked then travelers wouldn’t hire trekking guides.

While we appreciate this logic, this short-sighted mentality is shameful and postpones or dampens the long-term viability of the destination. As we’ve seen in countless other parts of the world, if a trail or destination becomes more popular with independent trekkers, that popularity usually serves only to attract even more trekkers requiring guides and other services.

As a result, even if you are armed with a GPS device and imported waypoints, navigation can be difficult — so much so that it’s even difficult for guides who are not experienced on that segment of the trail. Weather-induced visibility issues further complicate circumstances. Finally, some areas are so remote that it’s possible to go several hours before encountering someone you might ask for help.

Albania Trekking, Karanfil Mountain Trails
A well-marked path on the Albanian side of the Karanfil Mountains.

To the point, we met a group of experienced Israeli trekkers who had with them all the Peaks of the Balkans maps and a GPS device loaded with the appropriate waypoints. In the first days of their trek they got lost several times and had to sleep in an abandoned shepherd’s hut instead of the guest house they’d booked. Fortunately for them, they carried camping gear.

Across multiple similar instances, they wasted several days getting lost. When we last encountered them, they decided to cut their trek short, rent a car in Montenegro, and take day hikes for the remainder of their holiday. In our research and conversations, their experience trekking the Peaks of the Balkans independently is not unusual.

You can also choose to join a Peaks of the Balkans guided tour where you are hiking with a small group and have a mountain guide, all of the logistics (accommodation, transport, etc.) and luggage transport (up to 15 kg) taken care of you. These guided tours are usually 8-12 days. You can see the scheduled departures for Zbulos! Peaks of the Balkan guided tours to see if one of those timings work for you.

Peaks of the Balkans: Difficulty and Safety

To hike the entire Peaks of the Balkans trail, you must be prepared for a challenge, some long days, and rocky terrain. The official circuit and the modified trail that we trekked featured a lot of up and down, which proved both challenging and fun. On the first day, we climbed 4000 feet/1,220 meters and went back down another 3000 feet/915 or so. This pattern is common.

Peaks of the Balkans, Valbona Valley
Trekking up from Valbona valley, one of several climbs that day.

We hiked a half dozen peaks in this manner and usually descended back into the valleys to stay the night. In this way, there's more elevation gain overall than a typical Himalayan hike or peak-climb like Mt. Kilimanjaro.

However, on Peaks of the Balkans, you won't reach the breathless, oxygen depriving altitudes. The highest altitude we reached on our trek: 2750m (9100 ft).

If you mind the advice given in this article with respect to safety, preparation and equipment, you’ll find that the trail is not technical and is generally quite safe during the recommended hiking season (mid-June – September).

Warning about Valbona Pass in snow / early in season: Sadly, a there have been a couple of deaths the last few years at the Valbona Pass when it was covered in heavy snow in May. This popular route between Theth and Valbona is used safely in the summer months, but it usually has a heavy snow pack until early/mid-June and can be very dangerous during that time as it is very slippery. Therefore, it's suggested not to try this route until mid-June. You can learn more about the safety of the Valbona Pass here.

Choosing a Peaks of the Balkans Trekking Agency and Guide

We aimed to find a guide and agency with local knowledge about the trails, nature, culture, and history. To that end, we worked with Endrit and Ricardo from Zbulo! Discover Albania in Tirana to assemble our itinerary and organize our guide, transport and accommodation.

We spent a lot of time discussing our goals for the trek and what trekking routes and peaks would best meet them. The modifications we made to the official Peaks of the Balkans trail, many of which turned out to be the highlights of our trek, came from their guidance.

Both founders of the company are avid trekkers and still lead groups so they know the trails intimately. They were also active in the development of the official Peaks of the Balkans and had worked with local families to set up home stays and other rural tourism services.

While you can engage or hire a guide directly, we feel that local agencies with contacts in the region provide an additional level of confidence and comfort. If something went awry (e.g., our host in Vusanje didn’t show up), Endrit from Zbulo! was on it and managed to find or facilitate alternatives from afar. We appreciated this extra support.

Advice for working with your Peaks of the Balkans trekking guide

It’s always best if you can meet your guide in advance and let him know a little bit about you and your interests and goals for your trip.

If you have an unusual itinerary with optional climbs or trails, as we did, be sure to actively discuss multiple times. This means before the trip, each night, and at the beginning of each day so that everyone is in agreement as to what the itinerary includes and what needs to happen in order to accomplish everything on it with the least amount of stress.

For example, on our trek from Vusanje to Theth, we didn't climb Mt. Arapit; we reached the base too late because of a unnecessarily long lunch break. This was very disappointing; had our guide alerted us of the time constraint in advance, we would have adjusted our schedule accordingly. Instead, we had to learn the bad news as we bewilderingly passed the peak. By then, it was already too late.

Peaks of the Balkans day hikes and multi-day hikes you can do independently

Valbona Valley (Albania): The trek between the northern Albanian villages of Valbona and Theth is probably the best known and most trafficked in the area, due in part to Lonely Planet having recently recognizing it as a Top Trek.

We are told it’s well-marked, making it difficult to get lost. In addition, there are quite a few other day treks in the Valbona area. The owners of Quku I Valbones guesthouse list day trek options.

How to get to Valbona: Public bus from Shkodër to Lake Koman (2-3 hours, 500 lek/$4), ferry across Lake Koman (3 hours, 500 lek/$4) plus minibus or transfer to Valbona or Dragobi (approximately 3 hour forest walk to Valbona). For more transport options check out this page.

Theth (Albania): Theth is another popular setting for trekkers in northern Albania. In fact, when we visited, we noticed a building and tourism development boom with guesthouses and cafes going up at pace.

The most popular trek here is from Theth to Valbona. However, we’ve heard the trek from Valbona to Theth in the opposite direction is easier and more pleasant. There are also some other treks on well-worn paths to Lake Pejes (12 km/7.5 miles). You can also walk to Nderlysa and the Blue Eye watering hole.

How to get to Theth: Public minibus from Shkodër takes four hours, 1000 lek ($8).

Peaks of the Balkans, Theth Trekking
Mountain roads, Theth-style. Lots of paths and trekking facilities in this area.

Lëpushë and Kelmend Valleys (Albania): This area is not along the official Peaks of the Balkans trek, but features some great hikes, including to the tops of Mt. Talijanka and Mt. Grebenit.

If you only have time for one trek, choose Mt. Talijanka, for it offers some of the best views in the region. If the weather on top of Mt. Taljanka is bad, wait it out if you can. The views are worth it.

Albania Trekking, Mt. Taljanka
Dan waits for the clouds to clear at Mt. Taljanka.

There are many guesthouses in and around Lepushe — a trailhead of sorts to approach Mt. Taljanka — that are marked by signs on the road, so it’s easy to find accommodation there (€25/person including all meals).

How to get to Lepushe: Bus from Shkoder, 2-3 hours. We didn’t take this ourselves, but it's what others suggested. For those interested in getting a taste of some of the best views in Albania on a short, independent trek, this is probably your best bet.

Reka e Allages and Drelaj, Rugova Valley (Kosovo): An area where we encountered other trekking groups on day trips from PejĂ« (Peja). The main trails here are relatively well-marked — especially for Kosovo, a country whose Peaks of the Balkans segments are generally very poorly marked. If you are interested in a Kosovo day hike with outstanding views, check out Mt. Hajla.

How to get to Reka e Allages: The closest city is Pejë, so you'd likely need to arrange a taxi or private transfer.

Grbaja and Gusinje/Vusanje (Montenegro): This area seemed more popular with cyclists than with trekkers, given the popularity of mountain biking map signs. There were, however, several marked paths, especially along the popular foot path from Vusanje to Theth.

Peaks of the Balkans Trek, Vusanje to Theth
Enjoying wild flowers and sunshine en route from Vusanje to Theth.

For several of the trails mentioned above, you can download the route and waypoints on Endrit Shima’s Wikiloc page. We used several of these on our trek. He took readings to create the official Peaks of the Balkans map, so you can definitely trust the accuracy. You can also find different trails in Kosovo for the Via Dinarica and GPS trails marked here.

Accommodation along the Peaks of the Balkans Trail

Our favorite hikes often include incredible scenery combined with the possibility to engage with local people along the way. Peaks of the Balkans is one of those experiences; its cultural context was one of the main reasons we chose it.

Summer 2022 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: We checked in with Zbulo!, the trekking agency in Tirana we used, to see if guest houses and accommodation providers are open this summer for trekkers. Most providers will be open, but it's best to try and call in advance. Those that work with Zbulo! have been given instructions for COVID-19 related hygiene and safety measures. Remember that even if your first choice is not available, there are often several other providers in the area who can take care of you. The goal is to spread travelers and trekkers around to different family hosts so that everyone in the community benefits.

Peaks of the Balkans, Family Homestay
Waving goodbye to our adopted grandmother in Çerem, Albania.

Throughout much of the region, hospitality is deeply ingrained in the culture. In northern Albania, hospitality was actually codified in the kanun, the traditional Albanian law.

An adherence to hospitality had been so strong in the culture that when some of guest houses were initially set up a few years ago in Theth and Nderlysa, convincing locals that it was acceptable to charge trekkers money in exchange for providing accommodation and food proved a challenge.

Most nights during our trek, we stayed with families whose homes featured rooms converted to accommodate trekkers. This system supplements the families’ farming and shepherding income. Many families are in the hills only from mid-June to mid-September as remote areas such as these are almost impossible to reach during the winter.

Peaks of the Balkans, Shepherd Huts
Heading towards the remote shepherd huts of Doberdol (Albania). Our home for the night.

The official Peaks of the Balkans map indicates where you can find accommodation along the official route and we have put the details of where we stayed in this table.

Note: Since our trek there are more accommodation providers, meaning that usually each location usually has several different host options. If you see that one guest house already has trekkers there, please continue to another one so that not everyone is crowded into one place. The services are vary similar between guesthouses and by spreading people around it ensures that more people in the community can benefit from tourism.

Depending on which segment of the circuit you are on, guesthouses may not be clearly marked on the trail, so you may need to ask around if you don’t have a guide with you. Not all locations have mobile phone coverage, but it’s still best to try and call the family in advance so they know you are coming and can prepare for your visit.

Peaks of the Balkans, Homestay Family
Several generations of family under one roof. Our family guesthouse in Drelaj, Kosovo.

We stayed in a couple of hotels during city/town stopovers (e.g., Plav on the trail, Prizren during our Kosovo break). However, those experiences were much less personal, less tasty and usually more expensive than ones in family-run guesthouses.

A full listing of our accommodation during our Peaks of the Balkans trek can be found here.

What to expect at a Peaks of the Balkans family-run guesthouse:

Sleeping arrangements: This will depend on the actual home. We usually found ourselves in rooms with 4-6 beds, though some fit 10-12 people to a room. Sometimes you can have the option for a double room (2 people). Beds were often separate twin beds, but on occasion we had a double bed.

Because we traveled early in the season, we often had a room to ourselves. All guesthouses provide sheets and blankets. Most also provide a towel. You should pack a travel towel and sleep sack just in case.

Peaks of the Balkans, Homestay
Our family guesthouse amidst granite peaks in Çerem, Albania.

Food: As virtually all food and drink along the Peaks of the Balkans trail is sourced from the farm and cooked fresh, eating at family guesthouses was one of the things we eagerly anticipated at the end of each day.

Cow and sheep milk is plentiful; particularly in the more remote mountain areas you’ll eat a loads of feta-like semi-hard cheese and delicious, tangy yogurt. Bread is baked fresh, salads are made with vegetables from the garden or the local market (on the edges of the trail), and jams and fruit preserves are home made. Families will provide you with a pack lunch — often including a sandwich with cheese and vegetables — before you set off each day.

If you drink alcohol, be sure to try rakija, the local firewater brandy. Each family has a different recipe, so it’s interesting to sample a variety. A little rakija in the morning and/or evening also seemed to keep digestive issues at bay.

Peaks of the Balkans, Homestay Accommodation
Morning coffee in the welcoming and cozy Triangle Wood House in Balbino Polje, Montenegro.

Note: If you have special dietary requirements, let families know in advance so they can prepare accordingly. We heard from a friend who has celiac disease that the families prepared cornbread to accommodate her gluten intolerance. For additional vegan considerations and assurance, contact Ricardo Fahrig of Zbulo!, himself an avid and fit vegan trekker.

Toilets and showers: The “roughing it” quotient in the region is relatively low. Most guesthouses have hot water showers and flush toilets. Just a couple of the accommodations will feature Turkish (squat) toilets or outhouses and only cold running water.

Electricity: The vast majority of villages have electricity (exceptions: Çerem and Doberdol) so it’s easy to charge your batteries and smartphones most nights. Even in these locations, there are solar panels, making it possible to charge something if you absolutely must.

When possible, keep your smartphone on airplane mode during your hike to conserve battery power, and consider buying a phone case that doubles as an extra battery.

Guesthouse Costs (2015 prices): If you are traveling independently (i.e., you haven't booked a pre-paid tour), estimate that in Albania you’ll spend around €20-€25 per person per day for homestay accommodation + 3 meals (exception is Lëpushë and Vermosh at €25 per person). In Kosovo and Montenegro the cost is €25 per person. If you travel with a guide, he usually stays and eats for free.

Hotels in more developed towns (e.g., Plav, Gusinje, Prizren) do not follow this rule and your guide will be charged as a paying guest.

Practical Details for Peaks of the Balkans

Health and Medical Issues

In general, you shouldn't be worried about hygiene along the Peaks of the Balkans. We never had a problem finding clean water, either from family guesthouses or from clean mountain springs along the trail. At the time of writing, all water sources did not require water treatment or filtering.

We carried a 1-liter refillable water bottle and a 1.5 liter water bladder and never ran out of water.

Peaks of the Balkans, Valbona River
Valbona River, crazy shades of blue.

We found food hygiene to be quite good, especially as almost everything we ate came straight from the farm. We also found sleeping conditions at family guesthouses to be adequate with clean sheets and towels. However, you should carry a sleep sack for those nights where the sleeping arrangements perhaps don’t quite live up to your sense of comfort (e.g., in a shepherd’s hut). This is true particularly as the season wears on, the traveler traffic increases and the frequency of laundering bed linen wanes. Again, we don’t know first hand, but we can imagine. So, it’s best to be prepared.

As indicated in our trekking packing list, be sure to carry a basic medical kit for headaches, tummy problems, scrapes and basic infections.

Cross Border Permits

If you’re following the Peaks of the Balkans trail (or a similar cross-border trek in the region) you are required to carry a cross-border permit, which must be applied for in advance. Given the level of bureaucracy and the stories of local authorities ignoring email and phone calls, it’s probably best to engage an agency for this. Zbulo! arranged ours and you can apply online for border crossing permits. To be safe, be sure to arrange and submit your documents at least two weeks in advance.

Peaks of the Balkans, Bunker
Abandoned bunker near the Albania – Montenegro border.

Although we did not encounter border guards at any of the remote border crossings, it is possible to be stopped. Cross-border permits ensure that you are safe and legal in these cases. If you walk from Babino Polje to Plav, you will need to visit the Montenegrin border police station (on the eastern edge of Plav) and show the border officials your permit and passport so they can officially register you in their system. The officers are friendly, but the process moves slowly. Budget anywhere between 30 minutes and one hour for the visit.

Cross Border Permit Costs: The cost for cross-border permits through Zbulo is €40 for two independent trekkers and €60 for groups of three or more independent trekkers (this includes €10 fee for Montenegro). If you book a tour, these fees are already included in the price of the tour.

Luggage Transfer

It's possible to add luggage transfer service to your hike or trek, which means that your belongings are delivered — often by horse, mule or donkey — to your next guest house so you need only carry a daypack on your walks. We chose not to do this as we preferred the flexibility and access of carrying all our own gear, particularly because of the changeable weather. We also wished to reduce our costs and avoid a 400€ luggage transfer fee for the two of us across 12-14 days.

If you take a Peaks of the Balkans guided tour then luggage transfer (15 kilos) is usually included as part of the price.

Peaks of the Balkans, Backpack
Audrey fits all that she needs to into a small backpack.

Transportation along Peaks of the Balkans

Although there are some public transportation options to the more popular and accessible locations along the Peaks of the Balkans trail (e.g., along Lake Koman and to Valbona, Theth, Nderlysa, Vermosh, Lepushe from Shkoder, Albania; in and around Plav, Montenegro and from Pejë (Peja) to Reka e Alleges, Kosovo), readily available public transport options dwindle as you head more deeply into the remote locations along the trek. Of course, that’s the point of the trek and experience.

Unless you have an unlimited amount of time, patience and endurance, it is best and more realistic to organize any transport you need in advance, rather than hoping to find someone to pick you up along the way. Your guide or trekking agency should be able to do this for you. If you are traveling independently, ask your guesthouse for help in providing transport, calling the minibus (furgon) driver to pick you up (e.g., if you are along a public transport route) or contacting a local driver to negotiate a ride.

We often found private transport quite expensive. Notes regarding Peaks of the Balkans transport costs are in this day-by-day article and also available in this chart.

Money and Local Currency

It's best to carry Euros with you, since it's the official currency of Kosovo and Montenegro, as well as the unofficial (i.e., everyone seems to accept it) currency of Albania. However, we did find that prices quoted in Albanian Lek prices were less than the Euro alternatives, so taking out some Albanian Lek before your trek is a wise idea. You can find ATM machines that accept international cards in Shkodër, Plav, Prizren and Gusinje.

Mobile / Cell coverage and internet

Mobile coverage and 3G internet is fleeting, at best. Prepare to enjoy a mainly offline experience. However, we armed ourselves with an Eagle unlimited data pack (9€) for coverage in Albanian areas. In Kosovo, 2GB costs a couple of euros with Ipko telecom. In Montenegro, get the tourist pack from Telenor for 3€ which includes 200MB of data and the possibility to re-up with the credit you’ve purchased.

GPS waypoints, GPS devices and trekking maps and apps for your smartphone

We did not carry a proper GPS device (our guide did), but we did carry our smartphone and used the Pocket Earth app that had some of the trails already integrated in their downloadable maps. S

ince PocketEarth worked offline (you MUST download all maps in ADVANCE) we could monitor our progress along a trail and have better assurance that we were on the right path. The app also very helpfully highlighted a few mountain peaks, points of interest, restaurants, hotels and the oh-so-motivating beer garden at the end of one trail in particular.

pocket earth app
I had my doubts that this beer garden on Pocket Earth existed. So nice to find it at end of a long trekking day.

We’ve also heard good things about the WikiLoc App, which is often the open-source origin of trail overlay information found in apps like PocketEarth. For more technical hikers and climbers, you can also use the ViewRanger app, which includes topographical overlays and allows easy import of GPS files with waypoints and tracks.

You can find many of the Peaks of the Balkans GPS data and waypoints here.

Packing for the Peaks of the Balkans

Peaks of the Balkans, Packing List
Pack light. On the trail, you'll be very thankful you did.

Our Ultimate Trekking Packing List covers most of what you need for summer treks along the Peaks of the Balkans. For flexibility and to avoid the need and cost of luggage transfer, we each traveled with small 30-35 liter backpacks.

As with all treks, ditch your vanity and pack light. No one cares if you wear the same shirt every day. Really. You will feel any unnecessary pack weight almost immediately, particularly up the steeper inclines. Here are a few items you must include:

  • Trekking backpack: You don't need to carry a lot if you're trekking during the summer as you don't need a lot of heavy layers and accommodation and meals are provided for you. Here is our recommended women's hiking backpack and men's trekking backpack.
  • Trekking pole / walking stick (travel friendly): Usually we pick up a stick at the beginning of a trek, but we were advised to bring proper poles for this trek and we were glad we did. Some Peaks of the Balkans trails, while not technical per se, are tricky and rock-strewn. Poles help, especially on the downhill portions. We carried only one trekking pole each.
  • Waterproof gear: Weather is always a wild card in the mountains, so be sure you have packed a waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, a backpack cover, and even a plastic bag or two if necessary to keep clothes dry in your bag.
  • Cold weather gear: The later your trek in the season (e.g., August), the less an issue cold becomes. However, on a couple of occasions, we experienced low temperatures that required hat and gloves. And, we had layers of long-sleeved shirts and fleece jackets with us.
  • Trekking pants: Even if temperatures are high and you want to wear shorts, resist the urge as trekking pants will protect your legs from scrapes, branches, thorns and much more. We each wore the same pair of Clothing Arts pants (for men and for women) every single day on the trek and were impressed at how they held up and repelled odor. Also, all of the pockets and zippers that are there to protect you against pick pockets in cities are actually quite useful for securing your smartphone, wallet and other valuables on the trail. Disclosure: We received these pants when we were speakers at an adventure travel conference a couple of years ago. Having said that, we wear them constantly at home and on the trail. They are that good.
  • Hiking shoes: We wore low-rise hiking shoes and had no problem. If you have weak ankles then consider bringing high-rise hiking shoes with more support. Recommended men's hiking shoes and women's hiking shoes.
Top of Mt. Gjeravica, Kosovo
Smiling at the top of Mt. Gjeravica, Kosovo. Yes, our Clothing Arts trekking pants do match.

For more on packing for the Peaks of the Balkans trek check out our hiking essentials list and Zbulo's packing suggestions.

Estimated costs of trekking Peaks of the Balkans

Trekking the Peaks of the Balkans is relatively expensive compared to some other treks we've done. As such, we would not characterize it as budget travel, particularly if you take a guide with you for the entire time, as we did. We opted to spend a little more in pursuit of remote areas and cultural context.

That said, if you focus your budget on day and multi-day hikes and do so independently as outlined in the sections above, you can manage your budget to take you further for less.

Roughly speaking, the more in your group, the lower your cost. Your guide’s daily rate and private transport costs (per vehicle) are usually the same whether you are one person or four. Budget-conscious individuals or couples seeking to trek Peaks of the Balkans should ask trekking agencies whether they can join departures of smaller groups with a similar desired timeframe.

Here are some example cost guidelines (provided to us by the agency we trekked with, 2015 prices) that you might expect on 12-14 day treks coordinated through a trekking agency. Costs include the guide, transport, accommodation, cross-border permits, and entry fees:

  • 2 people: €120-€130/person per day
  • 4 people: €90/person per day
  • 8-12 people: €80/person per day
  • If you would like luggage transfer you can estimate an additional €10-€15 per person per day if you are in a large group.

By comparison, a friend went on a solo trekking trip with a guide and she paid €1,200 for eight days along the standard Peaks of the Balkans route including accommodation, transport, guiding services and food.

Note: These figures are current at the time of writing (August 2015). If you are seriously considering a Peaks of the Balkans trek, you should discuss and confirm figures directly with your agent and/or guide.Disclosure: The trekking agency did not take a commission for our trek, so we paid slightly less than the amounts above.

When to trek the Peaks of the Balkans?

The main Peaks of the Balkans circuit and the additional trail segments we hiked are generally open from mid-June to mid-September. This limitation is partly a function of weather-driven trail conditions when there can still be substantial snow cover on the mountain passes, which makes them dangerous. See our note above and here regarding safety considerations for the Valbona Pass in May and early in the season.

In addition, many of the families who run guest houses in the region typically arrive and depart their shepherd huts and farms within that time window.

Peaks of the Balkans, When To Trek
Some remaining snow on the trail between Doberdol (Albania) and Mt. Gjeravica (Kosovo).

In general, weather along the Peaks of the Balkans trail is highly changeable — you are in the mountains, after all. Scheduling with an eye to avoiding rain or bad weather is nearly impossible. Weather is luck of the draw and at Mother Nature’s discretion

We chose to trek Peaks of the Balkans from mid-June to early July because temperatures would be cool, wildflowers would be in bloom, and traveler traffic would be less on the trails and in guesthouses. Sure, a bit of snow remained some trails and we wore our hats and gloves occasionally, but the fresh air, wildflower-covered hills and relatively quiet guest houses more than made up for it.

We’ve been told that temperatures can rise to 35 C/95 F in late August. If you don’t enjoy heat you may want to consider scheduling your trek earlier in the season like we did.


Conclusion

The Peaks of the Balkans trail makes for an excellent multi-dimensional experience. However, if you're like us, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the options and the apparent complexity and opacity of the current information available. Don’t be deterred. Pursue it, ask questions, including of us in the comments below.

The region has a rich history and is currently in the process of figuring out ways to share that history with others. Armed with the right information, you can have a transformative experience and take in some of the most surprising experiential landscape that the Balkans — and Europe — have to offer.


Update: You can now buy the Peaks of the Balkans: A Beginner's Guide with all the information from this site plus lots of extra details and other goodies in an easy ebook that you can download and take with you.

Peaks of the Balkans Guide
About Audrey Scott
Audrey Scott is a writer, storyteller, speaker and tourism development consultant. She aims to help turn people's fears into curiosity and connection. She harbors an obsession for artichokes and can bake a devastating pan of brownies. You can keep up with her adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And you can learn more about her on the About Page and on LinkedIn.

48 thoughts on “Peaks of the Balkans Trail: A Beginners Guide”

  1. Great article: packed with information and amazing photos.

    I’d never heard of the Peaks of the Balkans before, and judging from the pictures, it looks like an amazing place to hike through.

    Reply
    • Thanks, Fernando! We also had never heard of the Peaks of the Balkans trek until we were at an Adventure Travel summit a few years ago and someone started showing us photos from this trek. We decided then that we wanted to do this trek, but it took a couple of years to find the time and organize it all. Hope you have a chance to do it for yourself one day!

      Reply
  2. The most comprehensive guide I have seen, great work putting this together. And amazing photos! Can’t beat the feeling of being in nature.

    Reply
    • Thanks, Aaron! I always try to put all the information that I wanted to know beforehand in one place for these Beginner’s Guides. And so they do tend to get kind of long 🙂

      Reply
  3. beautiful pics and people. and to think that such a marvel of nature was put under the stress of a conflict….am glad it is all over now and people can explore.

    definitely on my list of countries to visit.

    Reply
  4. Hi Audrey,
    great article. Last year I visited Balkans. Really enjoyed. I hope I find your site before my trip.
    Keep up a good work!

    Cheers
    Piotr

    Reply
  5. Awesome post and thank you for covering such an underrated destination!

    Is Triangle Woodhouse new to Babino Polje? I stayed in Plav in July 2014 and did a hike to Hridsko Jezero so I could scout the Montenegrin Prokletije for future ski-touring trips. It would great if I could stay in Babino Polje in winter rather than hitch/tour from Plav.

    Reply
    • Triangle Woodhouse is pretty new to Babino Polje. The owner, Armend Alija, began taking in guests a couple of years ago but 2015 was the first year where he spent the full summer there to do it full-time and gave the guesthouse a name. In fact, Armend decided the name Triangle Woodhouse the weekend we were there 🙂

      While he doesn’t stay there full-time in the winter, I’m sure you could come to an arrangement with Armend if you contact him in advance. Good luck!

      Reply
  6. Hi Dan & Audrey,
    what a nice tour description and awesome pictures, thank you!
    As I have been one of those in ATTA literally washing people´s brains to come to this region since years – so glad you did, and extensively so.
    I find the “Beginner´s Guide” should definitely be included in the “Resources” section of the official Peaks of the Balkans website!
    Oh and for those accommodation hickups in Plav – a family run, very friendly option there is the “Lake Views” – been there twice, in winter months – http://www.facebook.com/Camp-LakeViews-302793856548343/
    All the best and hope see you again at #ATWS2016 !
    Kirsi

    Reply
    • Kirsi,
      We’re happy to have our guide listed on the official PoB website as part of their resources. If you know the person who can add it, just let us know!

      Thanks for the recommendation for Lake Views as an alternative in Plav. We still think we’d prefer staying in Vermosh if we had the choice, but it’s good to know there are other options in case people want to stay in Plav.

      Cheers!
      A&D

      Reply
  7. If I’m doing Peaks of the Balkans in the second part of August with 2 friends, without a guide, should I be in touch with families before i go through the villages or will I be sure to find something anyways?

    Also, whats the temperature like at night outside,? I might want to camp for a few nights.

    Thanks so much, great guide!

    Reply
    • As you’ll be doing the trek in August (high season) it would be best if you get in touch with families in advance. The reason is that there may be some trekking groups that take up most/all the space with the families. If there is no room then you might want to alter your route for another overnight village. Even if you’re going without a guide a local trekking agency can coordinate accommodation for you and give you options if that’s more convenient.

      When we trekked in late June/early July it was still quite chilly at night — I remember a fleece and several layers before going to bed. But, August should be warmer than that. We met another group of trekkers who used abandoned shepherds’ huts when they camped to help protect them from the elements.

      Good luck and enjoy your trip!

      Reply
  8. Great information! My husband and I are heading back to Albania in a few weeks to do part of this trail. Your website has been hugely helpful in our planning!

    Reply
  9. I am desperate to do this trail and am so grateful to have stumbled upon your article and advice. It sounds like my interests are fairly similar to yours (wildflowers, views, geology, food, any birds to see…?) so I’m wondering whether to contact your contacts (haha!) in Tirana to arrange a similar trip for me for next summer. Bearing in mind I’m a single traveller, is that a good plan?

    Reply
    • Hi Suze,
      The trekking company we used in Tirana – Zbulo! – works with both groups and individuals. So, I think contacting the company — Endrit and Ricardo — would be a good place to start your planning. Also, they might be able to help if you do want to join a group (for cost and company) and have some flexibility in your schedule. If you are interested in wildflowers, try to go in June!

      Reply
  10. Great post. Only recently did I hear about the “Peak of the Balkans”. We now have a base in Croatia and have been doing a lot of hiking in the region. I’d really love to do portions of this hike with a few friends.
    Great photos. What stunning geography they have in the Balkans.

    Frank (bbqboy)

    Reply
  11. Hi Dan and Audrey!
    Thank you for introducing us to this hike. Your description and beautiful photographs of your trek in this area have convinced Matt and me that we need to go there, too! I have tried to contact Zbulo twice in the past week and have not heard back from them. Do you know if they are still in business?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi Alison,
      Great to hear that you are headed to the Peaks of the Balkans for your own experience! Yes, Zbulo is still in business, but I do know that the co-founder was at ITB Berlin this past week so that could explain the delay in responding to you. I’ll let him know that you’re trying to get in touch. Good luck with your planning and the trek!

      Reply
      • Heya Alison,

        sorry for the delay in response, our team is attending the travel fair in Berlin that Audrey has mentioned and those who stayed back are also out on winter trips. It likely takes another few days to catch up with unanswered emails…

        Thanks for your patience,
        Ricardo

        Reply
  12. Hello Dan and Audrey-
    My wife and I will be bike touring in this area this summer and are interested in crossing from Albania to Montenegero at Qafë Vranicë, north of Çerem. I noticed on the map that you hiked thru and was wondering if its an official crossing or would we need a cross-border permit to cross here. Any info you have would be most helpful.

    Thanks, Todd

    Reply
    • Hi Todd,
      I believe that the crossing north of Çerem that you’re asking about is not an official crossing, so you will need to arrange a cross-border permit.
      Have a great time on your bike journey through the Peaks of the Balkans!
      Audrey

      Reply
  13. Hi guys – great info

    My friend and I will be tackling POTB in Early July. What is the approximate cost of a local guide per day?

    Thanks a lot

    Dan

    Reply
    • Hi Dan,
      We paid €70/day for our trekking guide (spoke English). That was a couple of years ago so the price may have gone up or down. Our group was only two people, but that daily fee would be the same whether you were up to eight or ten people I believe.

      Hope this info helps!
      Audrey

      Reply
      • Hi Audrey

        Thank you so much for all this amazing information!!!!
        We are heading to Montenegro in three weeks time and we are considering to do a day trekking in the peaks. I would like to hire a local guide who can advise us about it-where to go and where to stay. Could you give me some suggestions here? You mention a trekking guide, do you have a contact?

        Thank you

        Eliana

        Reply
        • Hi Eliana,
          I realize that this information may be a bit late, but just in case. We hired our guide through Zbulo! trekking agency in Tirana. They have a database of vetted guides, usually with English, that guide in Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. Hope you are having a great trek in Montenegro!
          Audrey

          Reply
  14. Hey Audrey and Dan,

    First of all, thank you very much for the amazing work you have done with covering the trek and the its best parts, it was very helpful.

    We have read your guide as well as the Q&A above, and are now planning traveling in the PoB during end September to beginning of October for 7-8 days.

    We would prefer to travel independently and to choose our route accordingly. (while taking into consideration all your tips). Therefore, we thought about a possible route which we would appreciate your thoughts on, considering the weather at that period of time, and the fact that we will be traveling without a guide…please let us know if there are any changes you would do in the route provided the above.

    Day 1: Beginning in Valbona (ofcourse after the ferry tour, as you recommended), traveling to Cerem; Day 2: Cerem to Doberdol; Day 3: We understand that there is an option a bit after Doberdol to turn left to PL04 and arrive at Babino Polje; Day 4: Babino Polje to Trskavica, transfer to Varmose; Day 5: Varmose to Lepush; Day 6: Lepush to Vusanje; Day 7: Vusanje to Theth

    In addition, do you know if there an option to travel from Theth directly to Podgorica?

    Thanks in advance,

    Roni

    Reply
    • Hi Roni,
      The route that you’ve suggested sounds great, but if you are not camping with your own gear and are looking to stay with local families then you should check to see whether there will be any accommodation available in Cerem or Dobordol at that time of year. I believe that many of the shepherds and farmers in that area go down to the villages/towns mid-September.

      If you are planning to go independently and without a guide, please be sure to have GPS tracks and either apps or a device. We met a group of experienced trekkers who got very lost in the Cerem to Doberdol segment going on their own. They had camping equipment with them, so they were able to camp out in an abandoned shepherd’s hut. But, they lost a day in the process.

      I don’t believe there is the option to travel directly from Theth to Podgorica unless you rent a car and driver. Most people take transport to Shkodra and then get a bus/shared taxi from there to Podgorica.

      Good luck with your planning and trek!
      Audrey

      Reply
  15. Dear Audrey and Dan,

    Thank you for the detailed diary op here. I have enjoyed reading it, and it is very helpful!
    I do have a question though, maybe you are able to answer.
    I was planning on going in April to walk the peaks of the Balkan. Usually when I hike, I camp in the wild and bring my own food and cooker. Do you see that happening on this trip?

    I look forward to your answer,

    Marieke (the Netherlands)

    Reply
    • Hi Marieke,
      Glad this article is useful! It’s possible to camp and cook your own food along the Peaks of the Balkans, but don’t expect any campsites or services associated with camping. But, it sounds like you’re used to that as you mention camping in the wild. It can still be quite cold in April with snow at some of the passes (we even had some mid-June). So, be very prepared with cold weather gear at this time of year.

      I do want to mention that the families and shepherds come in the higher altitude villages and places come up in June (until September). So, if you are planning to hike in April you may not have some of the homestays to fall back on for food or shelter or a shower.

      Reply
  16. Hey,
    great article with loads of useful information. Do you have the gps tracks for the changes you made to the normal route available?
    Regards
    Erik

    Reply
  17. Thanks for putting this together! My husband and I really used this when planning our Peaks of the Balkans trip. There was not a lot of information about this trek online so this was helpful. We chose to go unguided and had a little trouble navigating at parts. So I would highly recommend people to download gps tracks before they leave and follow them the whole time. We went in early-mid September and quite a lot of the guesthouses were closed, so I would also recommend completing the trek early if planning on staying in guesthouses. It was extremely beautiful there, and we hope to go back someday!

    Thank you!
    Liz

    Reply
    • Thanks for this update and providing more specific information about doing the Peaks of the Balkans in early-mid September, Liz! I completely agree that GPS tracks are essential for anyone going without guide. We even found them useful with a guide to understand our route 🙂

      And yes, accommodation does tend to close up in late August/early September when school starts back up and people move back down into the villages or towns with their animals. Glad to hear you managed OK even without all the accommodation support!

      Reply
  18. Thank you for this amazing summary of information! I am going (so far by myself.. oops) and of April (a bit of diving in Montenegro) and then I want to do most of the Peak of Balkans trail.

    Do you think there will be too much snow end of April/Early May? How bad is it if I am alone.. (and maybe do only the best signed parts of it and stay only in villages? )

    Reply
    • Gergana, there’s a possibility that some of the mountain passes still might have snow at the end of Apri/early May. However, the weather seems to change each year so it’s hard to tell what this year will old. One thing to consider is that some of the more remote homestays (e.g., Cerem, Doberdol, etc.) might not yet be manned. However, Valbona and Theth will certainly have guesthouses that will be open. My suggestion would be to contact some of the homestays in advance to be sure they are open and/or get in touch with Zbulo! in Tirana for information on how the conditions are this year and which segments might be closed. Good luck!

      Reply
  19. Hello,

    I am so grateful that I came across your article. I purchased your guide. Our trip is coming up in 2 weeks. Do you think we need to carry insect repellents if we are doing the trek the first 2 weeks of June? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Glad that you found the guide useful! I don’t remember the bugs being bad during our trek in early June, but we always carry insect repellant with us, just in case. You never know if the weather will be strange (e.g., rain or heat) and perhaps there’s an increase in bugs at that time.

      Reply
  20. Great source of information!

    We’re planning to do the PotB at the beginning of June this year i.e. the first two weeks of june.

    I know that conditions can change fastly and it depends on the yearly amount of snow during winter – but is snow still a serious concern at that time of year at the PotB? And will we get in serious trouble at some of the higher passes or is it just a matter of some left over snow patches and no problem at all?

    Thanks for some hinds.

    Reply
    • Jan, great to hear that you’re planning to do the Peaks of the Balkans trek this year. I think you’ll likely be fine with snow at the very beginning of June. You might hit a few patches here and there on the passes or higher elevations (as we did), but I can’t imagine it would be so much as to block the trail. You could always get in touch before you go with a trekking agency or accommodation just to see what the weather has been like this year. It does seem to change all the time. Have a great trip!

      Reply
  21. Seems incredibly conservative to suggest a guide for such a simple route. Is there any reason you couldn’t do this all independently a wildcamp the whole route?

    Reply
    • Everyone has their own preferred style of trekking and level of comfort with navigating trails in a new trails. As we mentioned above, when we did the Peaks of the Balkans trek the trail wasn’t particularly well marked and even with GPX/GPS tracks we found some trails difficult to find and navigate. So, we preferred to have a trekking guide with us who helped navigate the route so we didn’t have to worry about getting lost or spend time trying to always find the right trail. And, he also provided us with environmental, cultural and historical background for the places where we were trekking through. We also chose the homestay network so that we could stay with and meet local families along the way, have a home-cooked meal each night and warm bed.

      We met early on an Israeli group who were trekking independently and doing wild camping. Even though they had quite a bit of prior experience with trekking and had all the trekking maps for the area, they still found themselves getting lost quite a bit and even cut their trek a bit short. So, a lot of this decision is also personal preference (e.g., wild camping vs. homestays) and the level of experience and confidence one has in navigating through the mountains.

      Reply
  22. Thanks for the detailed information on the trail, simply amazing!

    I have a few questions regarding the trek:
    1. Is it possible to do the trek in late April?
    2. Is it possible to do a shortened version of the trek, for example 5 days?
    3. Is it possible to do the trek with a 13 year old kid?

    Thanks,
    Amir

    Reply
    • Hi Amir,
      Great questions and glad you found this guide useful!

      1. Yes, it would be possible to trek many parts of the loop in April, but you would need to be prepared for snow on some of the higher passes/sections (e.g., snow gear) + whether all accommodation would be available as some only open up in the summer months. For the latter issue, you could either try to camp (but that might get cold) or source accommodation at lower elevations where people live all year round.

      2. Yes, you could shorten the trek to 5 days. You would just need to create a route that ends in a place that has transport options.

      3. If your 13-year-old is used to hiking and can take a bit of elevation, then I would say yes. I have heard from others who have trekked with their teenage children.

      Good luck and have a great trek!

      Reply
  23. Hi Audrey,
    thanks for all the information you gathered here! I also enjoyed listening to the podcast in which you were interviewed about it!
    I am really keen on doing the trip by myself in July with my tent. Therefore I would like to ask for your impression – is it safe to do the trip alone as a woman with a tent? I really enjoy hiking by myself, therefore I wouldn’t want to hire a guide or join a group.
    Do you reckon it is possible to camp near the accomodation sites and just pay for the food? A little similar to what you can do on the GR20 in Corsica..
    Thank you for your feedback, enjoy your next travels!!!

    Reply
  24. Anna-Lena,
    Great to hear that your planning to hike the Peaks of the Balkans. I think it would be safe to hike on your own, but I would recommend that you have digital maps and connectivity (local SIM card) so you don’t get lost, which can happen easily.

    You should be able to come up with an arrangement with different guesthouses regarding setting up your tent nearby (or in their garden) and then paying for food and maybe a fee for using their facilities (e.g., toilets, showers, etc.). Not all accommodation hosts may be open to it, but I imagine you’ll find enough so you won’t be stuck. Alternatively, you can hike on your own, but then stay at the various guesthouses as a solo traveler (vs. with a group).

    Have a great trip!
    Audrey

    Reply
  25. Unfortunately in 2023 the trail has many kilometers to be walked on 4×4 roads or worse – asphalt.
    Poorly maintained ( also poorly marked – but it’s less of a problem as I like to navigate any way ) in Kosovo especially. Some guest houses were still charming and genuine but others were mainly thinking how to make a buck ( I can’t blame them ) but with out giving you the basic things you need after a long hike. For those reasons I will not recommend a full circle hike to my friends rather I would help them choose the best parts and other stuff that are not on the route.

    Reply
  26. Hi Audrey, thank you for your brilliant guide. We are planning to do this route self guided with our 2 children (girls 8 and 11) not including the Kosovo section. Not sure if we are crazy. Do you know of anyone else who has done the route with children?

    We plan to take are own camping gear and buy food along the way. We will do a mix of wild camping and guestho uses.

    Do you know if wild animals are a problem at night if your camping and potentally lost if our maps and GPS fail?

    Also have you had any other feedback similar to Johnathan’s about it being about making money from tourists.

    Any advice would be amazing 🙂

    Lizzie

    Reply

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