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10 Days
Specific Tour
12 people
English
The region of the Dinaric Alps spreading across North Albania, south-west Kosovo and East of Montenegro, better known as Bjeshkët e Nemuna or Accursed Mountains (Prokletije in Montenegro)is one of the last jewels for hiking and adventures in Europe and western Balkans, and until now has virtually remained untouched and is only sparsely inhabited. Thus it has preserved its fascination and authentic character.The transnational “Peaks of the Balkans” trail leads through one of the most remote and wild mountainous regions of Western Balkans. On this 192 km trail you will use shepherd paths and footways, and the trail winds through alpine mountains up to 2656m altitude.
More detailed information
The Peaks of the Balkans hiking trail can be started from any of the three countries, Peja-Kosovo, Thethi-Albania or Plav-Montenegro, and we can pick you up from following airports: Prishtina international airport (PRN), Tirana (TIA) or Podgorica (TGD). The Level of difficulty ranges from easy to moderate but requires good physical condition and mountain equipment. Even though the whole trail is marked and signposted, it partly leads through uninhabited mountain region, and because of this it is recommended to hike in a group or accompanied by a local hiking guide, to be more enjoyable and much more safer.
Many unpaved forestry roads were incorporated as a compromise solution when the countries demanded same shares of the route, those can be replaced with more scenic hiking routes in the Balkans, and skipped or shortened with short transfers.
The best time to hike Peaks of the Balkans hiking trail is from midd June to October, average walking time per day is 6-7h accordingly with breaks.
Top Balkan Tours offers guided tour with experienced and local guides, self guided hiking tours, private hiking tour on Peaks of the Balkans trail.
This program is realized with our partner Outdoor Kosovo!
Arrive in Prishtina international airport, Kosovo. Your trip leader will meet you outside of the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements and you’ll take transport 1h close to Peja town best known for outdoor activities and adventures. Visit White Drini natural park with biggest waterfall in the region and Sleeping Beauty touristic cave. Transport through Rugova Canyon-top attraction in Kosovo to your starting point – Guesthouse in Rreka Allages 21km from Peja.
Starting point from Rreka Allages mountain village at 1300m altitude. The first stage in Hajla mountain, from where you will have magnificent and panoramic views towards the rest of Accursed mountains peaks and Rugova valley. You’ll be walking through a pine forest and open mountainous terrain towards Drelaj mountain village. Accommodation and dinner at guesthouse in Drelaj with a view towards Red Rock peak 2522m. –Moderate walk / 4-5hrs walk / +530m, -710m / 12.5km. (optional climbing top of Hajla mountain 2403m, extra 2hrs 30min, 3km, +500m, -500m).
In this beautiful stage you’ll hike by two attractive Liqenati Mountain Lakes and Shkodra overpass, passing from Kosovo side to Montenegro, continuing through blueberry fields of Jelenku mountain ridge stopping at Babino Polje (Grandma’s Field) mountain, next to Temnjacka stream and close to small city of Plav. -Moderate hike/ +1150m, -1110m / 7-8hrs, 16km.
Up to the start of this section short transport of 1h. You’ll hike through the magical Ropojana valley for amazing views on both sides of the valley. Passing from Montenegro side to Albania by Gshtarsi Lake. This used to be border patrol path, passing by some old bunkers and border posts, arriving in magical Thethi village. –Moderate walk, +1110m, -1440m, 8hrs walk, 19.5km.
Edith Durham prominent English writer and traveller once said about Thethi village: I think no place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from all the world. The village is at the centre of Thethi national park, an area of outstanding beauty.
Epic hike from Thethi to Valbona valley passing over Valbona Pass at 1759m for great unrestricted views over the high mountain peaks will give you a feeling of being very small comparing to those. -Moderate hike, start at Theth 728m, finish at Valbona 935m, 7-8hrs walk/ +1070m, -850m, 19.5km. (optional transport last 5km of hike).
Transport 1hrs from Valbona to Qerrem mountain village in Valbona Valley, and from here you’ll hike towards Doberdol village passing by scenic route next to the border line with Montenegro. Overnight stay and dinner at the guesthouse in Doberdol. Qerrem 1220m, Doberdol 1820m. -Moderate walk. 6-7hrs walk / +1030m, -440m / 16.5km.
Hike through entire Doberdol valley, over Qafa Doberdolit-Neck and next to the Heart Lake, climbing to the top of Gjeravica peak at 2656m highest peak in Kosovo, continuing by the highest lakes in the Balkans just to finish by Gacaferri mountain huts at around 1800m altitude. Transfer with 4×4 to Gjakova town for overnight stay and dinner at iconic family-owned hotel and restaurant. Doberdol 1820m, Gacaferri Mountain huts 1800m. -Moderate walk. 7-8hrs walk / +900m, -920m / 19.5km.
Today you will explore Gjakova and we’ll drive to next city of Prizren, which is known as a museum city, seated at the foot of the Shar mountains, Kosovo’s second city packs a heavy punch with its rich history, traditional handicraft shops and gastronomic delights. Situated at a major crossroad on the Balkan peninsula, the town hosted a handful of empires, with Byzantine and Ottoman architecture leaving the most distinctive marks on the cityscape. Ottoman vibes can be felt especially around Shadervan – near this main, cobbled square you’ll find a great selection of bars and restaurants, as well as the lovely Sinan Pasha Mosque (one of over 44 mosques in the city) and the Old Stone Bridge, which dates back to the 16th century but was reconstructed in the 1980s after was destroyed by flooding. Another interesting monument is Albanian League of Prizren from 1878, Prizren castle over the old city, and many more. Overnight stay at 3-star Hotel and free evening.
Transfer to Prishtina International Airport (1hrs) will be provided for your homeward-bound flight.
