Peaks of the Balkans Trail: Epic Hike through the Albanian Alps Overview (2023)

12 min readJul 29, 2023

Embark on an unforgettable adventure on the Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Starting from the picturesque town of Shkodër, you travel to Valbona, where the real adventure begins. Hike over the challenging Perslopit Pass and savor breathtaking views. Discover quaint villages, rare plant species, and meet interesting fellow travelers. Camp in the stunning wilderness and experience the beauty of the Albanian Alps. It’s an epic hike filled with natural beauty and cultural encounters.

The original Dutch version is available here

This blog is accompanied by a video, providing a glimpse of the journey. Watch the video here.
At the end of this blog, there is a selection of photos. More photos for each stage can be found in separate blogs.

Stage 1: Journey to Valbona

The journey started in the picturesque town of Shkodër, where I took a minibus to the Koman port. From there, I embarked on a beautiful boat ride across Lake Koman, surrounded by impressive mountains. Upon reaching Valbona, the real adventure began! I chose to hike via the challenging Perslopit Pass, where I was rewarded with unforgettable views. Along the way, I set up my tent and enjoyed the tranquility and beauty of nature. Click here to go the article

Stage 2: Valbona to Qafa Borit (Çerem)

This challenging stage led me over the rocky Perslopit Pass, still snow-covered in June. I enjoyed stunning views of the Valbona Valley and the village of Valbona. Along the way, I encountered crocuses and wild orchids and met a deserted café and a group of Chinese tourists at the border marker. A German mountaineer and a stray dog joined me on this adventure. After crossing the pass, the trail became easier, and I found water in streams. The sunset provided a perfect end to this breathtaking journey. Click here to go the article

Stage 3: Çerem to Dobërdol

The route took me through beautiful valleys, forests, and breathtaking vistas. Before Çerem, I camped in a green valley surrounded by picturesque shepherd villages with grazing sheep. During the summer, these places are inhabited by people. Along the way, I encountered rare plant species like Orchids and Hairy Rattle, which are only found in a few places in the Netherlands (I’m Dutch). I also met interesting fellow hikers, including Mark and Lotte, a Dutch couple. An Amsterdammer and a helpful guide from Kosovo also accompanied us for a part of the way. Together, we enjoyed the stunning view at Aljuci Pass and the hospitality of Guesthouse Kujtim Gocaj. Click here to go the article

Stage 4: Dobërdol to Maja e Male

From the green valley of Çerem, the trail leads to the rocky mountains of Dobërdol, where altitudes above 2000 meters are reached. Dobërdol is a picturesque village with welcoming guesthouses, located south of the tri-border of Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. During my visit to Dobërdol, I spoke with a ten-year-old girl who was helping at a guesthouse. From Dobërdol, the trail continues upward towards the border with Montenegro, offering panoramic views. The route follows a mountain ridge with views over both countries. I camped at an altitude of 2170 meters, with a beautiful blue hour as the end of the day. Click here to go the article

Stage 5: Maja e Male to Hridsko Jezero

Discover the breathtaking Peaks of the Balkans Trail Stage 5: Maja e Male to Hridsko Jezero (2023). Walk through the beautiful mountains from Kosovo to Montenegro, enjoy spectacular views, and admire flowers such as Crocuses, Alpenrose, and Gentian. Despite some challenging moments with orientation, maps.me provided helpful support. Meet interesting people, like the owner of a sheep farm in Babino Polje, where you can taste authentic Turkish coffee. End your adventure with camping in the woods near Plav. An unforgettable hiking experience filled with natural beauty and cultural encounters. Click here to go the article

Stage 6: Hridsko Jezero to Plav

This stage began at the beautiful lake “Hridsko Jezero” and led me to Plav. I followed simple forest paths and later sandy roads towards the town. Plav is a town in northern Montenegro, where I found a hotel to spend the night. During my hike, I camped in the woods near the lake and continued my way towards Plav. At the first farm, I encountered two loudly barking dogs. Despite starting early in the morning, it had already become quite warm. I walked further along the sandy road, getting closer to civilization. In Plav, I stayed at Hotel Ambiente, located next to the river. The owner was friendly, and the room was neat, but unfortunately, there was a noisy party that lasted late into the night. Click here to go the article

Stage 7: Plav to Bora

The seventh stage of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, from Plav to Bora, was a challenging journey full of adventure. Despite predicted thunderstorms, I started with good spirits. Along the way, I met Dutch, British, and German hikers. Rain and forgetting my walking stick were setbacks, but I enjoyed beautiful orchids and breathtaking views. Eventually, I reached the green grassy hill of Bora and camped at a strategic spot. It was an unforgettable adventure filled with natural beauty and encounters with fellow travelers. Click here to go the article

Stage 8: Bora to Vusanje to Ropojansko Jezero

In this stage, I hiked from Mount Bora to the picturesque village of Vusanje and then to Lake “Ropojansko Jezero.” The morning started with mysterious low-hanging clouds weaving around the mountains, and I savored the breathtaking view. Along the way, I met a hunter who shared stories of his experiences in the region. I stopped at a charming sheep farm, where I met a farmer and enjoyed a cup of Turkish coffee. One of the highlights of this stage was the enchanting Oko Skakavice, a breathtaking karst spring with crystal-clear water magically surfacing. Despite an unexpected rain shower and thunderstorm, I found shelter on a picturesque alpine meadow in my tent. Click here to go the article

Stage 9: Ropojansko Jezero to Qafa e Pejës

In this stage of the journey, the day began with a walk through forests to the enchanting Ropojansko Jezero. Further along, the traveler discovered a picturesque stream and old bunkers built between 1967 and 1986. The bunkers served as military defense and offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past. The traveler ended the day at the beautiful green lake of Liqeni Pejës, where they camped and enjoyed breathtaking views of the mountain pass and the bunkers. Click here to go the article.

Stage 10: Qafa e Pejës to Theth

During this stage of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, I enjoyed a captivating sunrise at Qafa e Pejës, followed by a steep descent on a rocky path to the picturesque village of Theth. Along the way, I met local residents with horses and travellers from New Zealand, full of enthusiasm for exploration. The descent into the Theth Valley was steep and challenging, but the beautiful view and encounters with tired hikers made it worthwhile. After a meal, I set off on the first part of the tourist route from Theth to Valbona, in search of a suitable camping spot. Click here to go the article.

Stage 11: Theth to Valbona

During this stage of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, I hiked the most touristy and popular section of the Albanian Alps. The trail leads along deep gorges, steep mountain paths, and green valleys, offering panoramic views of snow-capped mountain peaks and lush alpine meadows. After camping on an alpine meadow, I began the hike from Theth to Valbona, which is approximately 15 kilometers long and takes about 7 hours, as indicated by the signs. During the ascent of Valbona Pass, I enjoyed a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. After meeting other hikers and descending along Mount Maja Valbones, I arrived at the dry riverbed of Valbona and walked the last five kilometers on an asphalt road to Valbona. That evening, I stayed at a guesthouse in Valbona. Click here to go the article.

Conclusion:

The Peaks of the Balkans Trail is an unforgettable experience for adventurous hikers seeking breathtaking landscapes, challenging routes, and cultural encounters. During this epic hike through the Albanian Alps, you’ll discover the beautiful natural beauty of the region, from majestic mountains and deep valleys to picturesque villages and crystal-clear lakes. Along the way, you’ll encounter rare plant species, meet local residents, and enjoy panoramic views that will take your breath away. The Peaks of the Balkans Trail offers a unique and unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a long time. So, put on your hiking boots, pack your backpack, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime in the breathtaking Albanian Alps.

Video:

I have created a video of my experience. If you have trouble viewing the video here, you can also watch it directly on YouTube.