Hike across remote borders in the Balkans' quietest corner on this epic walking and cultural holiday through Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania – the famed Peaks of the Balkans trail.
A country whose painful birth still reverberates across the Balkans, Kosovo is a land rich in natural and cultural highlights. A staunch stronghold of Albanian traditions, its mountains and valleys are blanketed with dense forests that are home to wolves, bears, lynx and golden eagles. What better place than for a walk through some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Europe.
Visit the UNESCO site of the Decani Monastery, before we enter the ‘Accursed Mountains’ of the Rugova Valley. Here, amongst some of the most ethnographically diverse landscapes in the country, we’ll enjoy the hospitality and cuisine of the local villages, as we trek towards Mount Hajla and the alpine lakes. By crossing remote borders and walking through lush valleys, we criss-cross between dramatic Montenegro and majestic Albania, whilst surrounded by incredible scenery. After transferring to Virpazar in Montenegro at Lake Skadar we return home with new wonderful memories and discoveries.
Total hiking distance: Approx. 65km (40 miles) over six days of hiking (route can be customised to suit your pace).
Difficulty: Moderate (up to seven hours hiking per day with elevation changes up to 1100m (3600 ft).
Suitable for: Experienced walkers, groups with older children (14+).
This trip can be organised as a small group tour, a private guided tour, or a self-guided tour.
The route can be customized to suit your needs from your accommodations, difficulty and pace.
Contact us now to discuss your preferences.
We understand that peace of mind and flexibility are key to ensuring your peace of mind. Should you need to change or cancel your booking due to official government advice or travel restrictions, you will be able to receive a full refund or, if you wish, postpone your trip to a later date.
Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A 3e Travel travel specialist will be happy to advise.
Arriving at Podgorica’s international airport today, we’ll depart for Peja in northern Kosovo. The drive takes approx. 4-5hrs. This historic city was once a prosperous commercial centre under both the Serbs and the Ottomans.
Our first day starts with history and culture, we begin with a tour of the city later will include some of its rich cultural treasures. Later on we head onwards to the UNESCO setting of the Decani Monastery, we then enjoy a visit to a ‘cultural monument of exceptional importance’. The afternoon then sees us passing through the dramatic landscapes of the Rugova Gorge, to enjoy a picturesque trek and some local hospitality around the village of Reka e Allages, the entrance to the Peak of the Balkans trail. This remote village is inhabited by shepherds, who return in the summer to tend to their herds.
Approx. 2hrs walking (250m ascent, 570m descent. Total distance 5km, highest point 1300m)
Included meals: Breakfast
Spending the day amongst the inspiring panoramas of the Rugova Valley, we aim to make our way up towards the summit of Hajla, the highest peak in the area. Ethnographically diverse and rich in animal and plant life, these mountainous landscapes are steeped in Albanian traditions and many of its customs, dialects and music are quite distinct. The final attempt on the summit of Hajla is optional, after which we’ll continue down towards Drelaj and the comforts of a local guesthouse.
Approx. 6hrs walking (650m ascent, 600m descent. Total distance 16km, highest point 2403m) Drelaj guesthouse,
Included meals: Breakfast
After breakfast we take a short transfer to Liquenat and prepare for an exciting day ahead which includes crossing into Montenegro via an unmanned mountain border. The path snakes its way up through forest and passes two small blue glacial lakes called Liqueni i Kuchishtes and i Dreljave. Leaving the treeline behind we head up into a dramatic valley and cross the magnificent Jelenak Pass at 2250m. We enter Montenegro on the ridge line at the Ravno Pass and descend to the village of Babino Polje (Grandma’s Field). Here we meet our vehicles and transfer (1.50hr) to the Grebaja. A small town of around 1700 people with a couple of mosques and churches located on the edge of the Prokletije Mountains. From here there are dramatic views towards the peaks on the Montenegrin and Albanian border which we can enjoy after checking into our accommodation.
Approx. 6hrs walking (1150m ascent, 1000m descent. Total distance 14km) Vusanje guesthouse
Included meals: Breakfast
This day is includes the most demanding walk (upto 8 hrs net-walking time) but offers an unique experience to cross the green boarder between Montenegro and Albania. After breakfast, transfer to the former boarder police station in Vusanje. There our packhorses wait be loaded with our main luggage. After 2,5 hrs we arrive at the boarder between Montenegro and Albania. There the Albanian packhorses and the guide await the group (see picture). Continue your walk on old mountain trails, meet the first shepards and discover the first bunkers, which are spread in big number all across Albania. Enjoy a fantastic mountain landscape. A steep downhill (900m) after Peja Pass takes you to Theth valley. A final easy walk uphill on village trails takes us to our guesthouse, the oldest in Theth, which offers picturesque views, tranquil atmosphere and warm hospitality. The guesthouse offers multiple bedding with shared bathrooms and delicious home made food.
Trail distance: 21 km Elevation: 726 meters, Max: 1,751 meters Accumulative height uphill: 850 meters; downhill:1,260 meters
Included meals: Breakfast
Trekking from Theth to Valbona valley. With packhorses we continue our walk to Valbona valley. After a steep beginning we cross through forests to the pass of Valbona. There you enjoy a view back to Theth valley and in front of you to the Valbona valley and many more peaks. We pass the source of Valbona river and arrive in Ragami.
Trail distance: 14.5 kilometers. Elevation: 745 meters, 1,840 meters
Included meals: Breakfast
Early morning wake up to reach the ferry on Lake Koman, an artificial lake. This is another highlight of this journey. The boat ride takes 2hrs through narrow passages and passes remote settlements only accessible by boat. Upon arrival the damn a minibus (1,5 hrs) takes you the second biggest city of Albania Shkodra. City walk in Shkodra and the castle f Shkodra, with fantastic views towards Lake Skadar, the biggest lake of the Balkan peninsula. Continue to Montenegro, to Virpazar in National Park Lake Skadar.
Included meals: Breakfast
Unwind at the shores of beautiful Lake Skadar and cherish your memories of the last week of walking in the wilderness of the Prokletije mountains.
Included meals: Breakfast
Only 200 yards from Lake Skadar, this accommodation provides guests with independent air-conditioned apartments complete with fully equipped kitchen, dining area and balcony with lake views.
Only 200 yards from Lake Skadar, this accommodation provides guests with independent air-conditioned apartments complete with fully equipped kitchen, dining area and balcony with lake views...
Within the city walls of Kotor Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hotel Marija is a traditional baroque building with a unique oakwood interior and warm, comfortable guestrooms. Only 100 yards from Kotor Bay's marina, this hotel is perfectly situated to explore the many restaurants and attractions of the lively city centre.
Talk to usWithin the city walls of Kotor Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hotel Marija is a traditional baroque building with a unique oakwood interior and warm, comfortable guestrooms...
Located in Kolašin, Hotel Brile offers 8 comfortable, air-conditioned family rooms and apartments, a restaurant, bar, private parking and garden. Guests can enjoy a continental or full English/Irish breakfast.
Located in Kolašin, Hotel Brile offers 8 comfortable, air-conditioned family rooms and apartments, a restaurant, bar, private parking and garden...
In the popular mountain resort of Kolasin, the exclusive Bianca Resort & Spa offers luxurious rooms overlooking snow-capped mountains and magnificent pine forest. Styled like a luxurious hunting lodge, guests can enjoy the wellness centre, 2 à la carte restaurants, cafe and nightclub.
Talk to usIn the popular mountain resort of Kolasin, the exclusive Bianca Resort & Spa offers luxurious rooms overlooking snow-capped mountains and magnificent pine forest...
Located in the main square of the UNESCO listed old town of Kotor, Hotel Vardar offers guests elegant rooms, a small gym, wellness centre complete with sauna and Turkish bath, and an outdoor terrace.
Located in the main square of the UNESCO listed old town of Kotor, Hotel Vardar offers guests elegant rooms, a small gym, wellness centre complete with sauna and Turkish bath, and an outdoor terrace...
Located on the seafront of the historic town of Dobrota, in the heart of Kotor Bay, HUMA Kotor Bay provides guests a private beach area, stylish modern rooms, restaurant, beach club and an outdoor pool.
Located on the seafront of the historic town of Dobrota, in the heart of Kotor Bay, HUMA Kotor Bay provides guests a private beach area, stylish modern rooms, restaurant, beach club and an outdoor pool...
I am a regular cycle visitor to the Adriatic coast but had little knowledge of Montenegro. I found 3e on the internet and was glad I did. I told them our dates, number or riders and ability and they did the rest. They came up with an excellent itinerary, sorted accommodation and bikes and supported us on the ride. Without their local knowledge we could not have discovered the fantastic rides and places without 3e. Angelika was just fantastic. Hope to get back for some trail rides soon.
Perfect organisation of our family trip to Montenegro. Very professional guides. Unforgettable experience!
WOOOOW Just finished 6 magical cycling days in Montenegro. The riding was as a self guided tour- grand tour Montenegro. 3etravel organized everything. Starting from sending the route as a gpx file, reserved hotels, transferring my luggage from hotel to hotel, emergency phone, bicycle and a side bag, and 2 transportation. The tour was amazing!!! Avoiding the main roads, using beautiful side roads which leads to the most beautiful points in Montenegro. Thank you for your professionalism and concern.
We had an outstanding experience. While planning the trip, communications with the owner, Borislav, were timely and effective whether by email, Skype or WhatsApp. Borislav was accommodating in customising the trip to my specific requests. He coordinated airport transfers to/from Dubrovnik to Montenegro and arranged COVID testing so we would re-enter Croatia on the return. Our driver was outstanding in all regards: friendly, bend-over-backwards helpful and safe. Of the accommodations, 5 of the 7 were very good-to-excellent. I provided feedback on all of them. I plan on additional Balkan travel and, when I do, I will return to 3e Travel.
Thank you very much for the nice vacation. I really enjoyed the ride, nature and places where I could be. Your service was excellent and I definitely would recommend your agency to my friends.
I wanted to organise a trip for 40 friends to Montenegro to celebrate my partner's 50th birthday. Everything about the organisation could not have been smoother - the communication back and forth was fast, the 3e team successfully greeted our guests arriving at 3 different airports on multiple different days, all of our guides and drivers were excellent, the accommodation in each part of the country was local and authentic as requested, and most importantly we got exactly the amazing set of experiences that we were looking for: skiing and show-shoeing, long hikes, stunning views, historical tours, private tours and tastings at vineyards, bee-farms, olive farms and herb farms, boat-rides, oyster tasting, and many excellent meals and wine-tastings. 40 people left Montenegro as ambassadors of the country, and we all hope to return again. If anyone is planning a trip to Montenegro or any of the neighbouring countries, I will always recommend the 3e team.
This itinerary would cost from €990 pp.
Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.
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Accommodation |
All nights in carefully-selected accommodation. Depending on the route you may spend the night in a hotel, apartments, guesthouses or even mountain huts or a shepherd's cottage! All our accommodations are selected for their charm, we aim to visit family-run hotels and guesthouses wherever possible. |
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Guided excursions |
Fully accompanied by your own multi-lingual trekking guide for the duration of your trip. Our award-winning guides are a major component of your entire experience in the Balkans, offering local insights into the region's culture, history and cuisine. Note: self-guided versions of this route are available, please contact us for more information. |
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Ground transfers |
All airport collections and overland transfers are included as specified. Door-to-door luggage transfers are included, meaning your overnight bags will be taken to your next accommodation – you only need to carry your lighter daypack while hiking. |
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Breakfast |
All breakfasts are included. Your accommodations may provide optional packed lunches for the day's hiking. Your accommodation will either serve an evening meal, or offer local restaurant recommendations. |
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Support |
Free maps and walk book, plus 24/7 emergency support for the entire duration of your trip. |
