The Balkan countries of Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo offer incredible opportunities for hiking and exploring rugged mountains, dramatic peaks, and rustic countryside that’s a largely untapped source of adventure compared with the Alps in Central Europe.
You don’t have to rough it above 4,000m to discover true wilderness, either.
Some of the highest peaks in the Balkans sit under 3,000m, but offer all the excitement of taller peaks, along with unspoilt woodlands, meadows, valleys, and lakes.
Best of all, although the peaks of the Balkans fly under the radar a bit when it comes to European adventures, the trail infrastructure tends to be good quality, and you don’t have to be an expert mountaineer to climb them. Just a decent level of fitness is all you need to discover one of Europe’s most beautiful wild areas.
If you fancy exploring the peaks of the Balkans yourself, the travel experts at KE Adventure have put together an eight day itinerary which includes summiting the ‘mighty three’: Mount Korab, which lies on the border of Albania and North Macedonia, Mount Gjeravica in Kosovo, and Zla Kolata in Montenegro.
In between scaling these impressive mountains, you’ll explore the magical fjord-like Lake Koman by boat, the timeless rural life of the Balkans, and the cosmopolitan buzz of Albania’s capital, Tirana.
Sound good? Read on to discover how you can experience the High Peaks of the Balkans for yourself.
The ultimate trekking holiday in the Balkans
Fast Facts:
• Duration: Eight days
• Accommodation: Huts, hotels, guesthouses and camping
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Location: Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro
• Trekking distance: 68km
The High Peaks of the Balkans is a classic adventure holiday run by KE Adventure.
If you choose to take the adventure with KE, you’ll be in for eight fantastic days exploring the heart of the Balkans.
KE has 40 years of experience guiding mountain adventures, and working with local guides, they’ve developed a route that includes some of the most interesting and satisfying walking with the most spectacular views in the Balkans.
Each day of walking will involve trekking on generally good trails, with some sections of stony ground, scree, narrow paths, and brief scrambling. There’s steep ascents and descents as you climb through valleys from peak to peak, and you’ll be in remote mountain areas.
All meals are provided, with the chance to sample local cuisine, and you’ll be staying in a mixture of hotels, guesthouses, shepherd’s huts, and tents, so you’ll truly be immersed in the environment.
You don’t have to worry about hauling your overnight gear, either. You’ll just have to carry what you need for a day of hiking, while the rest of your gear will be transferred to each night’s accommodation.
If that all sounds like a week of trekking heaven, click here to discover how can you hike the High Peaks of the Balkans with KE Adventure.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer to Tejze, Albania, the gateway to Mount Korab (2751m)
Day 2: Trek through woodlands and up to Korab Gate Pass and the summit. Transfer to Gjakova in Kosovo
Day 3: Climb Gjeravica (2656m), past gorges and alpine lakes to the Doberdol Plateau (1600m)
Day 4: Cross-border hike into Montenegro and back to Albania and Ceremi
Day 5: Scramble up Zla Kolata (2534m) and camp in the wilderness of Lugu I Persllopit Trough.
Day 6: Descend into the beautiful Valbona Valley and relax amongst the meadows
Day 7: Boat through the fjord landscape of Lake Koman before exploring Albania’s capital
Day 8: Wander to your heart’s content in Tirana before heading to the airport
5 OTHER REMOTE MOUNTAIN TRIPS
If you’re interested in this trip with KE Adventure, why not check out some of their other trekking holidays in the Balkans and Caucasus.
1: Through the Heart of the Balkans
A spectacular trekking holiday in the undiscovered mountains of Serbia and Montenegro.
(Serbia and Montenegro, 9 days, trip code SER)
2: Undiscovered Balkans
A stunning walking and cultural holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina with time to explore Mostar and Sarajevo.
(Bosnia and Herzegovina, 8 days, trip code BAC)
3: Walking the Albanian Alps
Spectacular scenery and wonderful walking on this Accursed Mountains holiday to Albania in the heart of the Balkans.
(9 days, trip code ALB)
4: Armenia’s Trekking Highlights
Walking and exploring in Armenia, including the highest peak, Mt Aragats
(11 days, trip code ATH)
5: Trekking in Georgia and the High Caucasus
Trek through the mountains and villages of Georgia’s remote Caucasus Mountains
(9 days, trip code GHC)