Hiking Beyond Borders

Organiser: Zbulo

Explore The Trail ‘Peaks of The Balkans’ with the Zbulo team, passing through Albania, Kosovo*, Montenegro, and back to Albania! Be prepared for long, continuous trekking days and expect to be rewarded with first-class panoramas of a remarkably diverse landscape, warm Balkan hospitality, and the inspiring and modest lifestyle of the locals! Make your way through mountains and valleys, from guesthouses to shepherd huts; from a glass of local rakia to a home-cooked meal and meet the rural beauty of the Western Balkans!

Level of difficulty

  • Medium

You need to be experienced in hiking and trekking.

Budget

  • Affordable to Moderate

Best for what

  • Trekking
  • exploring new destinations and cultures
  • time in nature

Best for who

  • Active travellers
  • Nature lovers
  • Active families with children/teenagers
  • Breath-taking views
  • Rural experience

Highlights

  • Crossing the borders between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro on foot
  • Hiking through five amazing national parks on this genuine trekking journey
  • Experiencing a melting pot of cultures; similarities and differences
  • Ascending the panoramic peaks of Mt. Trekufiri, Hajla, Taljanka and Arapi
  • Meeting a colourful selection of warm hosts and local accommodations
  • Enjoy the rural lifestyle of the Western Balkans

Day by day program

Day 1 - Welcome to the Balkans!

Routing: Arrival – Shkodra

Short: Arrival Day to Shkodra (Tirana or Podgorica Airport)

Host: Boutique Hotel

Meals: – / – / D

Transfers: 2h

Dist

Alt+

Alt-

Hours

Day 2 - Journey into the Accursed Mountains

Routing: Shkodra – Koman – Bajram Curri – Valbona

Routing: Arrival – Shkodra

Short: A Boat Ride on Koman Lake and Warm Up Walk in the Valbona

Host: Mountain Hotel

Meals: B / L / D

Transfers: 2:30 h + 3 h boat

Dist: 7

Alt+: 250

Alt-: 0

Hours: 3:30

Day 3 - The Highest Peaks of the Albanian Alps

Routing: Valbona – Persllopit & Bor Pass – Cerem

Short: Across the Persllopit Pass or through the Maskollata Gorge to Cerem

Host: Simple Guesthouse

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers: max. 10 min

Dist: 14

Alt+: 1200

Alt-: 950

Hours: 8:00

Day 4 - High Route into the Remote Border Triangle

Routing: Cerem – Balqin – Doberdol

Short: Eastern Alps and Seasonal Life on the Summer Pastures like Doberdol

Host: Shepherd Huts

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers –

Dist: 16h

Alt+: 1250

Alt-: 650

Hours: 7:00

Day 5 - The Border Triangle of Mt. Trekufiri

Routing: Doberdol – Mt. Trekufiri – Milishevc

Short: Across the border into Kosovo’s “Bjeshket e Namuna” National Park

Host: Mountain Chalet

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers:

Dist: 18

Alt+: 825

Alt-: 1100

Hours: 7:45

Day 6 - Rugova Gorge: Kosovo’s Outdoor Destination No. 1

Routing: Milishevc – Lumbardhi – Rugova Gorge – Reka e Allages

Short: On top of Mt. Lumbardhi and Deep Down the Rugova Gorge

Host: Guesthouse

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers: 30min

Dist: 14

Alt+:525

Alt-: 1200

Hours: 6:00

Day 7 - Ridge Hike on the Spine of Hajla

Routing: Reka e Allages – Mt. Hajla – Drelaj

Short: Blueberries, Rare Alpine Plants and the Kosovo Conflict’s Living Past

Host: Guesthouse

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers:

Dist: 15

Alt+:1150

Alt-: 1300

Hours: 8:00

Day 8 - Across the Jelenka Pass into Montenegro

Routing: Drelaj – Liqenat – Jelenka Pass – Babino Polje

Short: Past Alpine Lakes over the Highest Point of the Peaks of the Balkans

Host: Guesthouse

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers: 30min

Dist: 15

Alt+: 1150

Alt-: 1050

Hours: 7:30

Day 9 - Grbaja Valley – The Culmination of Prokletije

Routing: Babino Polje – Grbaja – Mt. Taljanka – Vusanje

Short: Ridge Hike to the Double Peaks of Mt. Popadija & Taljanka (2.056m)

Host: Guesthouse

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers:

Dist: 12

Alt+: 950

Alt-:950

Hours: 6:30

Day 10 - Through the Heart of the Accursed Mountains

Routing: Vusanje – Peja Pass – Theth

Short: The Caravan Route into Albania with Optional Climb of Mt. Arapi (2.217m)

Host: Guesthouse

Meals: B / LP / D

Transfers: 30min

Dist: 11

Alt+: 650

Alt-: 900

Hours: 6:45

Day 11 - Theth – Tradition in the Albanian Highlands

Routing: Theth – Nderlysa – Blue Eye – Shkodra

Short: Learn about Kanun & Blood Feud, Hike to the Grunas Waterfall & Blue Eye

Host: Boutique Hotel

Meals: B / L / D

Transfers: 3h

Dist: 16

Alt+: 225

Alt-: 500

Hours: 5:30

Day 12 - Farewell from Albania!

Routing: Shkodra – Departure

Short: Departure Day from Shkodra (Tirana or Podgorica Airport)

Host:

Meals: B / – / –

Transfers: ~2h

Dist: 0

Alt+: 0

Alt-: 0

Hours: 0

Cancellation policy

Maps and directions

ECO

RURAL

ADVENTURE

Environment protection

 

The tour includes visits to five national parks.

Almost all services are sourced from the local community. This includes accommodation at family-run guesthouses and huts; local transport with village minibus, 4×4 and horses; local guides.

Income provided to the rural stakeholders provides incentives and creates awareness about the importance of nature preservation and conservation. It’s a valuable long-term alternative to short term exploitation of natural resources.

Guides have received “Leave No Trace” – training and promoting the principles of “take only photos and leave only footsteps”. They’re also encouraged to collect litter during the trip and participate in annual clean-up events. A financial scheme reimburses horse porters on their empty-handed return journey for each kilo of trash collected.

Zbulo developed mechanisms and trained stakeholders to environmentally friendly standards.

Zbulo supports the up-cycling initiative “Tek Bunkers” and summer school program (including environmental awareness) of the Balkans Peace Park initiative active in all three countries.