Peaks of the Balkans - Albania & Montenegro Hiking Tour
A Hiking & Cultural Adventure through Montenegro and Albania including trekking on an international peace trail in the Dinaric Alps - the ultimate hiking holiday in Europe!
As featured in the New York Times
Discover a lesser-known side of Europe on a hiking and cultural journey through Montenegro and Albania, including trekking along an international peace trail in the stunning Dinaric Alps. This Europe hiking tour, Peaks of the Balkans, takes us to the border triangle of Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro, where a new International Peace Park awaits.
Montenegro and Albania boast wild landscapes, untouched forests, and rugged rivers, all intertwined with a rich cultural heritage. The majestic mountains give way to lush valleys and the sparkling azure waters of the Adriatic, characterized by steep cliffs and pebble beaches. With a history shaped by centuries of Ottoman influence, these regions present a fascinating blend of European and Eastern cultures.
This Balkans hiking tour through the Dinaric Alps is both challenging and rewarding, so it's essential to be in good physical shape and have previous hiking experience. Your luggage will be transported by local pack animals or vehicles, allowing you to fully enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery and rare flora and fauna. As we traverse this stunning landscape, we’ll encounter communities that have thrived as shepherds and farmers for generations.
This Albania and Montenegro hiking tour supports sustainable tourism, providing real economic benefits to the locals. Each night, we’ll rest in charming inns or guesthouses along the route, where local innkeepers will serve us meals made from fresh, traditional ingredients.
This trip combines perfectly with our Albania Sea Kayaking Trip making for a fantastic journey of immersion in the southern Balkans.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Albania: Scenic Drives and Culinary Delights
Upon your arrival in Tirana, the capital of Albania, we will greet you and take you on a scenic one-and-a-half-hour drive to Shkoder, located in the northwestern region of the country. In the early evening, we will hold a short orientation meeting about your Albania walking tour before heading out to savor dinner at a local restaurant. Albanian cuisine, shaped by over 400 years of Ottoman influence, is known for its simplicity, freshness, and healthiness.
*Note: If we have guests arriving on different flights we’ll wait until everyone is gathered before leaving for Shkoder.
Day 2
Begin Your Albania Hiking Tour in the Majestic Dinaric Alps
This morning, we’ll head north for about two hours along the Montenegro border to reach the town of Vermosh, where our Albania hiking tour begins. As we trek through lush wooded valleys, the majestic Dinaric Alps rise in the background. After a challenging ascent to Gerben Peak, we’ll enjoy a more gradual descent - this is a wonderful opportunity to delve into the natural and cultural history of this fascinating area with insights from your local guide. By late afternoon, we will arrive at our cozy guesthouse near Lepushe.
- Distance and Altitude: 10 km (6.3 miles) +750 meters (2460’) and – 440 meters (1443’). Highest point: 1840 meters (6036’).
Day 3
Cross Borders: Trek from Albania to Montenegro
We’ll start our day with a filling mountain breakfast before setting off on our hike. Today’s trek features more downhill sections compared to yesterday as we make our way from Albania into Montenegro. At times, we will find ourselves above the tree line, enveloped by stunning limestone karst peaks. Our destination on this Montenegro hiking tour is Vajusha (Talijanka) Peak, after which we will descend to Grebaje Village. A brief transfer will take us to a guesthouse in Vuthaj, where we can relax and enjoy more delicious local cuisine.
- Distance and Altitude: 10 km (6.3 miles) +580 (1902’) and – 790 meters (2592’). Highest point: 1931 meters (6335’).
Day 4
Journey Through History: From Montenegro to Albania’s Theth Valley
A brief transfer this morning will bring us close to the border once again, leading us onto one of the most stunning trails of this Balkans hiking tour. Although it's a longer day, we will enjoy a gentle ascent through the Ropojana Valley before traversing a dry lake bed.
At the Montenegro-Albania border, our luggage will be switched from one set of horses to another. As we approach the summit, the incline steepens, and we will pass remnants of bunkers from the era of President Hoxha, who isolated Albania and constructed these fortifications to guard against potential invasions.
Reaching the Peja Pass summit rewards us with breathtaking views of the mountains and the Theth Valley below. A steep descent leads us to Thethi, Albania's most historic alpine village, which is characterized by traditional stone houses adorned with wooden tiles and perched on natural terraces. Here, we will enjoy dinner and spend the night in a simple guesthouse with shared accommodations. Our hosts will share their family's history in the valley and discuss how the new Peaks of the Balkans Trail is positively influencing the local community.
- Distance and Altitude: 15 km (9.3 miles) +845 meters (2772’) and – 660 meters (2165’). Highest point: 1721 meters (5646’).
- Time: 8 hours. Rating: Difficult.
The descent on this section of our Balkans hiking tour is quite steep and can be tough on the knees, as it consists of loose rocks and gravel. For those who would rather ride, a horse can be arranged in advance. After we make our way to the valley floor, there will be an optional jeep transfer for anyone looking to skip the last stretch to our accommodations, which involves an extra climb of 200 meters (600 feet).
Day 5
Explore Albania’s Historic Thethi Valley
Discovering the Thethi Valley is a one-of-a-kind adventure, as its seclusion has kept it untouched even by the Ottomans. The community here is predominantly Catholic and in 1908, the English traveler Edith Durham beautifully described Thethi in her book High Albania, noting: “Life at Thethi was of absorbing interest... I forgot all about the rest of the world, and... there seemed no reason why I should ever return.”
Since her time, the valley has experienced very few changes, with the most notable being the introduction of electricity and running water. We’ll enjoy a wonderful day exploring the area, admiring the charming wooden and stone houses, and delving into the local history on a four-mile hike to Grunas Waterfall and Nderlysa. If you’d rather take it easy, you can opt for a self-guided exploration. To ensure a relaxing day on this section of our Albania hiking tour, we’ll head back to our accommodation by vehicle.
- Distance and Altitude: 7 km (4.3 miles) and +600 meters (1970’) and – 240 meters (787’).
- Time: 4 hours. Rating: Easy to moderate (Jeep ride back to start)
Day 6
Hike from Valbona to Bajram Curri
After enjoying breakfast, we will embark on another exciting day of hiking, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes as we leave our lodgings and make our way to Valbona. Horses and mules will assist us by carrying our luggage on this section of our Europe hiking tour.
The morning trek involves a steady climb, the most challenging one yet, through an ancient beech forest that offers plenty of shade. We will continue our ascent until we reach the pass, where we can admire the stunning views of Valbona, our next stop. The descent takes us down a rocky switchback trail. Once we complete our hike, we’ll take a one-hour drive to the charming town of Bajram Curri, where we’ll settle into a hotel for the night.
- Distance and Altitude: 13 km (8 miles) +980 meters (3215’) and – 770 meters (2526’). Highpoint: 1860 meters (6102’).
- Time: 7 hours. Rating: Difficult
Day 7
Scenic Boat Ride and Historic Stops: Explore Lake Drin, Shkodra, and Kruje
We’ll start our day bright and early with breakfast before embarking on a one-hour journey to Lake Drin. There, we’ll enjoy a peaceful two-and-a-half-hour boat ride through a stunning gorge.
Afterward, we’ll travel for two hours to Shkodra, Albania's second-largest city, where we’ll spend a night. Depending on the timing, we may visit the impressive Rozafa Castle, perched atop a mountain, either before or after lunch.
Our adventure continues with a three-hour drive to the charming town of Kruje, a historic center of Albanian resistance against the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century, led by the national hero Gjergj Kastrioti. Within the castle grounds, you can explore a vibrant bazaar, a fascinating historical museum, and an ethnographic museum.
For the final night of our Balkans hiking tour, we will be staying at a local hotel that offers breathtaking views. If possible, a staff member from the local history museum will join us before dinner to share insights into Albania's rich and colorful history.
Day 8
Departure Day
This morning, we will head to Tirana Airport for your departure flights. If you prefer, you can also join us for our Three Country Kayaking & Walking Tour!
*Please note: The hiking involved in several days of this Albania and Montenegro hiking tour can be quite challenging, so it's important to have some prior fitness. Although the elevation isn't extremely high, the total gain and loss in elevation is considerable. The descents can be tough on your knees and joints, so using walking poles is highly recommended. Be aware that much of the trail consists of loose limestone, which can become slippery when wet.
If you have any concerns about whether this trip is right for you, feel free to reach out to our office. For groups, we can adjust the itinerary to include easier hikes, which may also change the order of the locations visited.
Dates & Rates
| Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2025 to Jun 26, 2025 Lowest Tier Pricing | $2,290£0€0$0$0 | $2,290£0€0$0$0 |
| Sep 08, 2025 to Sep 15, 2025 Lowest Tier Pricing | $2,290£0€0$0$0 | $2,290£0€0$0$0 |
| 2026 | ||
| Jun 18, 2026 to Jun 25, 2026 Lowest Tier Pricing | $2,400£0€0$0$0 | $2,400£0€0$0$0 |
| Sep 04, 2026 to Sep 11, 2026 Lowest Tier Pricing | $2,400£0€0$0$0 | $2,400£0€0$0$0 |
Supplementary Information
2025 Pricing
4-5 guests = $2,590 per person
6-12 guests = $2,290 per person
Single Supplement: $190
2026 Pricing
4-5 guests = $2,725 per person
6-12 guests = $2,400 per person
Single Supplement: $200
Contact us for alternative dates and customizable itineraries for Peaks of the Balkans.
Includes:
- Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional, local guides including a Montenegrin lead guide from day 1 until day 7 and an additional Albanian guide from the border on.
- All transfers and transportation as indicated.
- Service of our Adventure Consultants
- Hand-crafted itineraries
Does not Include:
- International airfare
- Personal expenses such as alcohol, laundry, etc.
- Gratuities for guides or trip leaders
- Additional hotel nights pre or post tour
- Travel Protection Plan (Travel Insurance)
Tiered Pricing Explained
Our trips are budgeted for full or near full sign-ups which enables us to offer trips at the lowest possible price. Because of numerousfixed costs, it is more expensive to operate a trip for a small group. Therefore, on some of our trips, in order to avoid having to cancel a trip, we have a “tier-pricing” system to avoid canceling a trip with a low number of sign ups. We have found that most people also prefer this alternative to having a trip cancelled. Thus, you will note on our trip prices there may be different price for 6-8 people versus 9-10, versus 11-12, etc...
We may initially invoice you at the higher tier price, and refund the difference depending on the final group size. Trip costs quoted are based on foreign exchange rates current at the time of this printing. We reserve the right to raise the trip fee if there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control.
Reviews
FAQ & More
How do I reach the area?
Several airlines offer daily flights to Podgorica, Montenegro from Paris, Frankfurt and other European cities. The same is true for your departure flight from Tirana. If you prefer, transportation can be arranged at the end of the tour to continue on to Greece, or to Dubrovnik, Croatia, or back to Podgorica.
What sort of weather should I expect?
We’ve chosen our departure dates to avoid the heat of July and August. Generally days will be in the 70-80 degree Fahrenheit range, with little to no rain. Nights cool to the 50-60 degrees, with cooler nights when we are in the mountains.
What do I need to bring?
A full packing list will be provided. Walking poles are highly recommended for the hiking portion of the trip.
How difficult is this trip?
The trekking portion of the trip is challenging and previous conditioning is necessary.While horses do carry the bulk of your gear, you will need to carry a small day pack with water, food, rain gear and a cool weather layer, your camera, etc. While the distances are not huge, the elevation gain and loss on two of the days (as outlined in the itinerary) are substantial. Please call our office if you have any questions.
Do you arrange international air?
We do not arrange international air travel but we do have a great air travel specialist we refer you to if you’d like.
Are you able to arrange extensions to our tour?
Absolutely! We know the area well, so if you’d like to spend more time you might consider our Albania tour. Or we can help you arrange your way to Greece, or north to Croatia. We’re happy to discuss any ideas you have.
How far in advance should I book?
There are a lot of arrangements to be made for a custom trip like this adventure and so it is helpful with our planning if you book three to eight months in advance. However, if you can’t plan that far ahead, then it’s usually not a problem to book up to about a month or two in advance. If you find yourself looking for last-minute space just call us and check!
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