Overview
The Peaks of the Balkans is a 190km long-distance trail traversing the Western Balkans, on a circuit that encompasses the heritage highlights (and highlands) of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. This eight day version is a Peaks of the Balkans highlights, guided itinerary, a moderate walking holiday where you are on your feet for between five and eight hours every day, but with some seriously spectacular highs. Guided by your mountain expert, these include ascents of Mount Trekufiri, Mount Taljanka and Peja Pass, all promising the most peaceful panoramas. Stay at a mix of local guesthouses and cabins with nearly all meals provided.
If you prefer to explore the region at your own pace, check out our self-guided Peaks of the Balkans highlights holiday.
- Komani Lake and Valbona Valley National Park
- Accursed Mountains of Albania and Montenegro
- Shepherd’s hut
- Mount Trekufiri, Hajla, Taljanka and Arapi (optional)
- Grabaje and Ropojana Valley
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Albania – Shkodër
Join a group transfer from Tirana to Shkodër (2h). Depending on arrival time, there is an opportunity to explore the town. In the evening, the group gathers for an introduction meeting and tour briefing at the accommodation, followed by a traditional dinner.
- Complimentary group transfer from Tirana to Shkodra (90-120min) – two options available:
- Option 1: 14.00 Tirana city centre (near Skanderbeg Square / behind Opera house)
- Option 2: 15.00 Tirana airport (minibus parking outside Arrivals)
- Accommodation: Hotel Tradita or similar in Shkodër
- Meals included: dinner
Day 2: Komani Lake – Valbona Valley National Park | 7km
Early morning transfer to Komani Lake (1h 30mins) to board a boat which stops several times at remote villages along the way to Fierzë (46km, 3h). After lunch, travel by car into Valbona Valley National Park’s highlands. Follow a stream through ancient beech forests, with opportunities to swim in the Valbona River or small lakes. The walk ends at a guesthouse in Valbonë.
- Walking for the day: 7km,3h, ↑250m ↓0m
- Accommodation: Villa Dini in Valbonë
- Meals included: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 3: Çerem – Doberdol | 16km
After a 45min drive to Çerem, walk across fields of flowers towards the remote border triangle. Reaching the rim of the deep-cut river canyon formed by Gashi River, follow the high route through the conifer forest. Your destination is the remote glacial-shaped valley of Doberdol (1,750m), a high-altitude summer alp where shepherds and their livestock live in harmony with nature. Only recently, it was only accessible by foot or horseback; it’s a world away from modern comforts. Accommodations here are the most rustic of the trip: simple wooden huts with spartan bedrooms and communal bathrooms used by all travellers. In exchange, you’ll experience true mountain hospitality, a home-cooked meal, and the rare chance to stargaze by the bonfire in an untouched alpine setting.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 7h, ↑1,250m ↓650m
- Accommodation: Simple shepherd hut in Dobërdol
- Meals included: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 4: Dobërdol – Babino Polje | 13km
Climb out of the valley towards Mount Trekufiri (2,366m). At the top, a panoramic view of where the borders of three countries merge. The border trail leads into Montenegro, around Bogićevica (2,374m) and Hrid Lake. Continue on the trail through a dense pine forest towards the scattered settlement of Babino Polje at the edge of the national park. Your guide may also choose an alternative, longer trail along the border ridge.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 6h, ↑600m ↓850m
- Accommodation:Local guesthouse in Babino Polje
- Meals included: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 5: Grebaje Valley – Vusanje | 12km
The day starts with an hour’s transfer past Lake Plav, leading into a narrow valley wedged between the karst towers of Karanfili (2,461m). After ascending through a beech forest, a last steep climb reaches the double peak of Mount Popadija and Mount Talijanka (2,056m). Your guide will choose the most suitable route, traversing the narrow spine to a series of panoramic viewpoints back onto the forest path. The day ends at a beer garden on the valley floor before travelling to the guesthouse in Vusanje. There is an option to choose between two hikes or use the remainder of the day for rest.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 6-7h, ↑950m ↓950m
- Accommodation: Local guesthouse in Vusanje
- Meals included: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 6: Vusanje – Theth | 11km
Travelling up Ropojana Valley, formed by a 26km long glacier, stop at a pupil-shaped karst spring where an ice-cold river emerges from the melting snow high up in the mountains. Maja Harapit (2,217m) towers over Theth National Park. At Peja Pass (1,711m), the guide will decide if the summit can be tackled. Those who opt out of this section, meant for experienced and sure-footed hikers, can descend with the horsemen. Afterwards, a short transfer to the guesthouse in Theth.
- Walking for the day: 11km, 6-7h, ↑650m ↓900m
- Accommodation: Local guesthouse in Theth
- Meals included: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Day 7: Theth – Shkodër | 16km
Today, climb to Grunas Waterfall and descend along a well-worn bridle path to the village of Nderlysa for lunch. Continue the hike to a karst spring called Blue Eye, or spend the afternoon swimming in the glacier-shaped rock formations. In the late afternoon, transfer to Terthorja Pass (1,630m) back to Shkodër (3h), returning to the hotel from the first night.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 5-6h, ↑225m ↓500m
- Accommodation: Hotel Tradita or similar in Shkodër
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, a group airport transfer is arranged (at approximately 9-10am), or onward travel plans accommodated.
- Meals included: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in private en-suite hotel rooms on the first and last night in Shkodër. For the rest of the tour, you will spend the overnights in shared rooms (2-5 people) in simple and cosy guesthouses, where you will be hosted by local families who will take care of you and prepare you a dinner table full of traditional dishes. On day 3, you will spend the night in a basic shepherd hut. The accommodation has been carefully selected based on various criteria, including location, warm hospitality, fine local food, and commitment to responsible tourism.
Click to view default hotels
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Meals are included as described in the itinerary: all breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners. While in the mountains all the meals are prepared and served by your local hosts.
Difficulty and terrain
The tour is rated moderate and is therefore suitable for active hikers with a good level of fitness. Previous hiking experience is not vital as long as you are confident in your physical condition and sure-footedness. Walking days are usually between 5 and 8h, although they can be longer to cross passes or peaks (mostly optional). Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1,000m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 1,100m to 1,300m. The tour also includes high mountain terrain, rugged and rough underfoot, and some scrambling sections (read more about difficulty grades). This is a guided tour, so you will have a local English-speaking tour leader who will guide you throughout the trip, manage the trip’s logistics, and provide you with all the information you might need.
When to go
This trip is available from end of May until mid-October. The weather is best in July – September when there is little chance of rain and temperatures in the mountains reach around 25C. You can see the available departure dates by clicking the See Dates and Prices or Book Now menus.
Although no major objective dangers exist, trips scheduled before the second week of June may encounter typical early-season challenges, such as higher water levels in creeks, muddy or sludgy trails, fallen trees, and potentially blocked or damaged roads. Please be advised that the Mount Arapi climb included in the programme is not expected to be feasible for early-season departures, and colder nighttime temperatures may require a sleeping bag. In extraordinary snow conditions, route adjustments may be necessary. For more information, see Best time to go to Albania.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Albania and Montenegro.
Click to view travel options
By plane
The recommended airport for this trip is Tirana International Airport (TIA). Complimentary group return transfers to this airport are included in the trip cost (as indicated in the itinerary). Arrival transfers take place at 14:00 from Tirana’s Central Bus Station or at 15:00 from Tirana Airport. The return transfer from Shkodër to Tirana Airport/City departs after breakfast (arriving at Tirana airport no earlier than 12:00 noon)
By train or bus
- By train: if you are able to travel to Albania without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, via Italy. The best source of information on how to do this is the train guru, Man in Seat 61 or use the Omio planner above
Inclusions
Included
- English-speaking tour leader (plus an assistant if the group is larger than eight persons)
- Accommodation for seven nights in small hotels and family-run guesthouses, as listed in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners
- All ground transfers and baggage transfers* as listed in the itinerary, including complimentary group airport/city transfers from/to Tirana
- Luggage transport: one piece up to 15kg
- All entrance fees, trekking and border crossing permits
*Please note that suitcases are not suitable for transport on horses and only one piece of soft baggage (duffle or backpack) with a maximum weight of 15kg is permitted. We can safely store your extra luggage in Tirana or Shkodër.
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers other than the complimentary group airport/city transfers from/to Tirana
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Any other items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- Due to limited availability in the mountains, single room supplement for group members is possible only on days one and seven
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Airport transfers outside the standard group transfers
- One extra night in Tirana and/or Shkodër before or after the holiday
