Trekking in Albania and North Montenegro

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Day 1: Arrival in Albania and Visit of Shkodra

Your driver will welcome you at the airport in Tirana or Podgorica. During the transfer to the hotel close to Shkodra’s centre, (90 minutes) you can gather first impressions. If the weather allows it you have the choice to swim at the Balkans’ biggest lake or visit the Rozafa Castle. In the city, the cafés burst with people who flock for a stroll on the pedestrian area. Lined with bourgeoisie townhouses, a reminder of the city’s rich past, it has a certain Italian atmosphere to it. When daylight fades you can choose between restaurants that offer carefully crafted traditional meals.

• Overnight at a Shkoder boutique hotel (Hotel Tradita or similar)

Day 2: Journey into the Accursed Mountains | 7km

You rise early for the transfer through a scenic gorge to the Koman Dam (55km/1h 30min). The picturesque reservoir loops similar to a Norwegian fjord through sheer rock walls and is considered a highlight of the Alps. The custom-made ferry stops at several points to pick up locals from remote villages before arriving at Fierze (46km/3h). After lunch, you travel by minibus past traditional villages, composed of wooden shingle-covered stone houses, into the highlands and the Valbona National Park (35km/1h 15min). On a first warm-up walk, you continue on foot along the crystal-clear stream and on quiet berry-lined trails through the forest to the secluded Xhemes Lake for a swimming break. The walk ends at your cosy accommodation in a small hamlet.

• Walking for the day: 7km, 3h, ↑250m ↓50m
• Overnight at Valbone Hotel / private ensuite (Vila Dini or  Guesthouse Kol Gjoni)

Day 3: Valbona | 12km

You start your hike to Kukaj, an isolated hamlet where only two families reside, below bunkers that once protected the border and are now scattered in the riverbed. At 2,040m a weathered border pyramid is a reminder of the isolation Albania once endured, from here views reach to the most dramatic parts of Montenegrin Prokletije. Catching the last glimpse at the Alps highest Mount Jezerca (2,694m) you descend on a different path to another guesthouse.

• Walking for the day: 12km, 5-6h, ↑750m ↓700m
• Overnight at guesthouse Rragram** (private ensuite)

Day 4: The Grand Crossing: Valbona to Theth | 15km

Accompanied by a local and a mule that carries your load you set out for the transfer hike across Valbona Pass (1,811m) – another highlight and the highest point of your journey. After passing the village Rragam few steep segments need to be tackled. You can pause regularly near springs and on colourful meadows to enjoy the splendid views. Enjoy the picturesque landscape during a lunch break ahead of the descent to Theth. The fairy-tale beech forest provides cover from the sun in the afternoon for you. By the time the woods thin out Mount Arapi (2,217m) is visible and soon the houses of the village are reached. Spread below are the different hamlets. On a broad path, you enter another inviting guesthouse in the centre of the village.

• Walking for the day: 15km, 6-7h, ↑750m ↓1,125m
• Overnight at Guesthouse Theth / private ensuite (Bujtina Polia)

Day 5: From Theth to Nderlysa and back to Shkoder | 9km

The short trail downstream follows an ancient bridle path that connected Theth with the lower villages of the Shala region. Without mobile phone coverage, electricity, and road access busy everyday life seems completely forgotten. After a meal at a guesthouse the minibus takes you to the Edith Durham Memorial, over a scenic pass road to the Boga Valley and Shkoder (3 hours). Overnight in Shkoder.

• Walking for the day: 9km, 3-4h, ↑150m ↓300m
• Overnight at a Shkoder boutique hotel (Hotel Tradita or similar)
  

Day 6: Transfer Shkoder (Albania) – Kolasin (Montenegro)

Private car transfer from Shkoder to Kolasin (130km / 3h). On the way to Kolasin, you will pass through the impressive Moraca Canyon where you can take a break and visit the 13th-century Moraca Monastery. The Moraca Monastery is one of the best-preserved  Serbian medieval orthodox monasteries. Overnight in Kolasin.

• Accommodation: 3-star Hotel Čile in Kolasin or similar

Day 7: Bjelasica Mountain | 16km

This morning, after breakfast, you will start your walking. The path leads you to the heart of the Bjelasica Mountain. The hiking is mostly uphill and on pastures and grassland. At the end of your invigorating first hike, you’ll arrive at the Katuns or Shepherds’ huts, which are traditional mountain houses found all over Northern Montenegro. Traditionally, rural farming families close their village homes and move to these simple cottages during the summer months. Life in the katuns is rustic and simple and you will have a chance to feel the real rural life of the Montenegrins.

• Walking for the day: 16km, 6-7h, ↑950m ↓250m
• Overnight in the traditional mountain hut Katun Vranjak (private rooms/huts but shared facilities!)

Day 8: Crna Glava Summit (2,139m) | 16km

During this day’s walk, you will hike the gentle green slopes and summits of Bjelasica. This is a circular walk heading to Crna Glava (2,139m), the peak of Bjelasica, passing by two lovely mountain lakes. There are excellent views to the shepherds’ villages below your trail as well as to the surrounding mountains. On the way back you will have time to take a short break and taste the crystal clear water from the spring of the Biogradska river which is the main water supply for Biogradsko lake.

• Walking for the day: 16km, 6-7h, ↑700m ↓750m
• Overnight in the traditional mountain hut Katun Vranjak (private rooms/huts but shared facilities!)

Day 9: Biogradska Gora National Park and Biogradsko Lake | 12km

The first part of today’s hike passes through the highlands of Lica mountain – heading to the hidden shepherd’s village of Goles Katun where you can stop for lunch or try a selection of home-made products. The forests are the most important natural feature of the park, as the 1,600-hectare woods are one of the last three primaeval forests in Europe so that you will be passing by 400 to 500 years old trees. On arrival at Biogradsko Lake, you will have plenty of time to relax and take a walk around the lake. We will then transfer you to Durmitor National Park through the canyon of the river Tara. Before you arrive in Zabljak, which is located in the heart of Durmitor National Park, you will be able to view one of the most beautiful bridges in this part of the world – Djurdjevica Tara bridge.

• Walking for the day: 12km, 5h, ↑350m ↓950m
• Accommodation: local guesthouse (optional upgrade to 4* hotel)

Day 10: The Three Lakes Tour | 12km

The last circular walk by the three Durmitor lakes is a relaxing one, with an optional rest/swim in Crno Jezero (the Black Lake). The terrain is flat, and a path leads through a fir and pine forest. During this hike you are going to see Barno, Zminje and Crno lakes, Barno being the smallest and Crno the biggest. Return to your accommodation.

• Walking for the day: 12km, 4-5h, ↑150m ↓150m
• Accommodation: Local guesthouse (optional upgrade to 4* hotel)

Day 11: Departure or Onward Travel

Optional private transfer to Dubrovnik or Podgorica Airport.

Click to view default accommodations

• Hotel Tradita
• Vila Dini
• Guesthouse Kol Gjoni
• Bujtina Polia
• Bjeshka Guesthouse
• Vila 60
• Eco village Katun Vranjak
• Hotel Čile

Hotels and guesthouses are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates it will be replaced with a hotel of equal value and quality level; sometimes you will need to spend the night in a different building in close vicinity to the main building. While we try to arrange accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, this might not be possible on this particular trip on all days, especially in the high mountain. Exact accommodation details will be provided to you upon booking confirmation.