Balkan Trail Self-Guided Tour
Overview
7-Day Self-Guided Adventure: The Peaks of the Balkans
Join Backcountry Albania on a 7-day Peaks of the Balkans hiking tour through the stunning landscapes of Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. Designed by local experts, this tour offers a perfect balance of scenic trails, natural beauty, and cultural experiences.
Hike Through the Heart of the Balkans
During this adventure, you will trek through vibrant valleys, crystal-clear Alpine lakes, and rugged mountain peaks. We’ve carefully selected the route to focus on the highlights, skipping less exciting sections. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the culture by connecting with local communities along the way.
Iconic Views and Hidden Gems
The tour takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes of the Peaks of the Balkans hiking trail. You’ll witness dramatic mountain views, explore traditional villages, and meet locals who will share their stories. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a memorable adventure, this journey offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural wonders of the Balkans.
Transfer Options
Transfers from Prishtina Airport (Kosovo) and Podgorica Airport (Montenegro) to the starting point are available for an additional fee. This service is not included on the website, so be sure to arrange it in advance for a smooth start to your trip.
Extend Your Journey
For those who want to explore more of the Balkan wilderness, we offer the option to extend your hiking days on the Balkan Trail. Our team will provide all necessary details for your extended adventure. To secure your spot, pay a 20% deposit when booking, with the remaining balance due according to the program’s instructions. Alternatively, full payment at the time of booking is also available.
Tour Highlights
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Discover a hidden corner of Europe, rarely seen by tourists.
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Hike the most scenic sections of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail.
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Cross borders while immersing yourself in local culture.
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Enjoy breathtaking views of Alpine lakes, towering peaks, and vast landscapes.
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Climb one of Montenegro’s highest peaks for an unforgettable adventure.
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Meet local shepherds and learn about their traditional way of life.
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Conquer the Three Land Peak, a symbol of the Balkans’ natural beauty.
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Experience hiking in three countries: Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
Included/Exclude
- First day transfer Shkodra to Theth
- Planned tour
- Seasonal packing list
- Gps files & route notes
- 6 Nights Shared Accommodation
- 6 Days: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Transfers as preset by the itinerary
- Border permit for the border crossings
- Last day transfer Theth to Shkodra
- Any Private Expenses
- Drinks
- Private room
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage transfer
Booking Tour
Tour Plan
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Meeting point in Shkodra city, Albania
- This trip is rated "vigorously 4/5 and is recommended for fit travelers with some experience. Participants will need to carry their own daypacks full of essential items and a lunch weighing 10–12 kg over a distance of up to 17 km with significant elevation gains and losses of up to 1000 meters a day.
- The tour should be booked in advance to allow us to arrange accommodations, transfers, and other essential details for a seamless experience.
- For the transfer to Theth, participants should arrive in Shkodra before 10:00 AM
- For the return transfer from Theth, participants should be ready before 10:00 AM
On the first day, you will start from Shkodra citty and take a 2-hour drive to Theth village, where you will be accomodated in a guesthouse. In the village, you can take a short walk to visit the old tower ( Lock tower ) where more than 300 blood feud conflicts are reconciled. It was used by the inhabitants from all of the areas of Shale. This tower was built four centuries ago and was used to reconcile the parties who were in blood feud conflict. After this short hike, you will return to the guesthouse to enjoy a delicious dinner. Dinner is included
Theth → Valbone
Length of the hike: 14 km  Uphill Walking: 1000 m  Downhill walking: 800
Today's hike starts on the most popular trail in the Balkans, a trail which was nominated by National Geographic as a must-do for everyone. From the valley of Theth, we are going to pass through the Valbona Pass at 1800m to reach Valbona Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Balkans. When the Romans came to this region, they named the valley vala buona, meaning 'beautiful valley.' In the past, the trail was used as a connection between two villages. From the top, we can see the highest summits of the Accursed Mountains. Breakfast/Lunch packet/Dinner included.Cerem → Doberdol
Length of hike: 15.5 km / Uphill: 1175 m / Downhill: 500 m
Today’s trek will be lush and green. You will have a local transfer for 40 minutes till the starting points.Start from Cerem village and going In the highlands, villagers will offer their natural products and refreshments, with makeshift cafes under trees adding charm to the trail. You’ll see sheep, goats, cows, and horses supporting the local economy, along with locals gathering blueberries and medicinal plants to sell. The hike features some of Europe’s oldest beech forests, designated as UNESCO heritage in 2017, in the untouched Gashi Valley. As we approach Doberdol, a remote highland valley, you'll find simple shepherd’s huts offering warm hospitality for the night. Enjoy meals prepared by a local family and learn about Albanian life from shepherds around the bonfire. Meals included: breakfast, lunch packet, and dinner.Doberdol → Babino Polje
Length of hike: 16 km / Uphill: 650 m / Downhill: 1000 m
On the third day of the hike, you will go uphill to reach the Three-Lands Point, where Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro meet at a single peak. After reaching the peak, the trail takes you through Kosovo for about 15 minutes before returning to Montenegro, leading to Hrid Lake—one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Balkans. Here, you’ll enjoy a delightful lunch by the lake. The day concludes with a downhill hike to the guesthouse in Babino Polje village. Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner are included.Plave → Vusanje
Length of hike: 15 km / Uphill: 750 m / Downhill: 1100 m
On this day, you'll journey from Babino Polje to the charming village of Vusanje. The day starts early with packing your bags and enjoying a hearty breakfast. Afterward, a 40-minute drive will take you to the starting point of the hike. The trail begins with a gentle ascent on a wide path, leading to a stunning viewpoint at the top. From here, you can admire Lake Plav on one side and the dramatic peaks of the Accursed Mountains—known in Albanian as Bjeshkët e Nemuna, meaning "The Accursed Mountains"—on the other. After taking in the breathtaking scenery and enjoying lunch at the summit, you'll begin your descent to Vusanje. Upon arrival, you'll be accommodated in beautiful lodge cabins offering magical views of the surrounding mountains. Breakfast, packet lunch and dinner are includedVusanje → Theth
Length of the hike: 21 km  Uphill Walking: 1100 m  Downhill walking: 1060m
This is a relatively long hike that crosses the border between Montenegro and Albania. One of the best hikes on The Peaks of the Balkan Trail. The path passes along the craggiest part of the accursed mountains, or Albanian Alps. Almost the entire hike is surrounded by steep mountains with amazing views. The trail was used in the past as a trade route between the Shkodra region in north of Albania and the Peja region in Kosovo. This itinerary gives us a glimpse into the region’s past, when it was a forbidden zone during the Communist era. A border military post, bunkers, and the border crossing pyramid sign still remain by the crossing. The hike finishes at the beautiful village of Theth, where you can explore its traditional tower houses surrounded by steep mountains. Breakfast/Lunch packet/Dinner included.Theth → Shkodra
Farewell, Mountains! On your final day in the mountains and at the last guesthouse, we leave the rugged terrain behind and return to civilization. Before departing, you'll take a short hike to the Grunas Waterfall, a 45-minute walk each way. Afterward, we'll ensure you're on time for the transfer back to Shkodra, retracing the same route. breakfast and packet lunch are included.Calendar & Price
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