Peaks of the Balkans
Hike a spectacular 9-day version of the Peaks of Balkans, traveling across Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania and following some of the most iconic sections of the trail. This fully supported adventure includes a licensed local guide, border permits, luggage transfers (where possible), GPX files, comfortable guesthouse accommodation, and daily breakfasts, packed lunch, and dinners.
The trip begins/ends in Kosovo, starting from the mountain town of Peja. From Peja, traverse across along high-mountain passes, through wildflower valleys, and to traditional shepherd settlements. Trail takes hikers along ridgelines that form the border between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. This hike will include stays in each country and showcase traditional hospitality and local cuisine in family-run guesthouses.
The route culminates with an ascent of Gjeravica Peak (2,656 m)—Kosovo’s highest summit—followed by a scenic descent and a final transfer to Prishtina.
This itinerary combines challenging and rewarding daily hikes (14–21 km) with cultural immersion, panoramic landscapes, and seamless logistics—perfect for trekkers seeking an authentic, cross-border Balkan mountain experience.
Your Guide
Uta Ibrahimi
UMLA and UIAA guide
Completed 14 x 8,000m peaks
Prishtina, Kosova
What’s Included
Guides
Professional, friendly, English-speaking guides.
Accommodation
Authentic, locally owned mountain guesthouses.
Transfer
Listed transfers will be in a private minivan with an English-speaking driver. Bag transfers to guesthouses will be arranged where possible.
Food
All meals are included: breakfasts and dinners at guesthouses, and packed lunches on the trail.
More Info
This trip is ideal for experienced hikers looking to explore the highlights of the Peaks of the Balkans on a slightly shorter timeframe. With eight days on the trail, hikers will traverse across borderlines through some of the region’s most dramatic landscapes. Hike also includes trip to the summit of Gjeravica Peak (2,656 m), the highest mountain in Kosovo.
The slightly compressed itinerary showcases the most spectacular sections of the Peaks of the Balkans. Trekkers will journey through all three countries—Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro—and experience everything from remote valleys and alpine meadows to rugged summits and traditional mountain communities.
The guided format makes this route especially well-suited for small groups, couples, and solo travelers who want the challenge and freedom of a high-alpine trek without the stress of navigation, border permits, or logistics.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Prishtina
Arrive at Prishtina Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to Peja, a mountain town at the edge of the Rugova Valley. Time to explore Peja’s old bazaar, Patriarchate monastery and/or take a short walk into the Rugova Valley. Meet for dinner and a briefing with your guide.
Included: Airport transfer, accommodation in Peja, dinner, and briefing with the guide.
Day 2 — Kuqishte – Milishevc (Kosovo)
Short transfer from hotel to trailhead at Kuqishte Village. Start hiking towards alpine lakes (Liqeni i Kuqishtës, Liqeni i Drelajve) and cross the mountain pass, Qafa e Jelenkës with wide views over Rugova Valley. Descend through meadows to the Village of Milishevc. Overnight at a family guesthouse in Milishevc.
Trail: 14km | Elevation: +900 / – 650 | 6-7 hours (Easy)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 3 — Milishevc – Babino Polje (Montenegro)
Hike across the Kosovo–Montenegro border through open highlands and ridgelines, passing shepherd huts and valleys filled with wildflowers. Descend into Babino Polje in Montenegro. Stay at a local guesthouse.
Trail: 18 km | +900 m / –950 m | 7–8 h (Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 4 — Vusanje – Theth (Albania)
Morning starts with a short transfer by 4×4 to Vusanje, where we will start hiking towards the Qafa e PejĂ«s Pass. After crossing the mountain pass, hikers will descend into Theth National Park in Albania. Dinner and overnight in a mountain guesthouse in Theth.
Trail: 20–21 km | +1,050 m / –1,450 m | 8–9 h (Challenging)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 5 — Theth – Valbona (Albania)
Hike the legendary Valbona Pass, connecting two of Albania’s most beautiful valleys. Travelers will walk above Theth’s stone towers with an opportunity to stop for a coffee at the pass, before descending the open slopes into Valbona. Accommodation in Valbona.
Trail: 16 km | +1,000 m / –800 m | 6–7 h (Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 6 — Çerem – DobĂ«rdol (Albania)
Start day with an early morning transfer by 4×4 vehicle from Valbona to the Çerem trailhead. From Çerem hike through forest paths and wide alpine meadows up to DobĂ«rdol, a remote shepherds’ summer settlement. Spent the night in DobĂ«rdol.
Trail: 17–19 km | +1,100 m / –750 m | 7–8 h (Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, transfer, and accommodation.
Day 7 — Dobërdol → Gacaferi Guest House (Kosovo)
Start hiking from Dobërdol towards the ridgeline dividing Albania and Kosovo. Cross over the ridge and descend into Kosovo. The trail includes walking through high alpine pastures with views of Gjeravica Peak and the Accursed Mountains. Arrive at Gacaferi Guest House for traditional food and overnight.
Trail: 20 km | +1,000 m / –950 m | 7–8 h (Challenging)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 8 — Hike Gjeravica Peak and Return to Prishtina
Early start to the day with climb to the summit of Gjeravica Peak (2,656 m) – the highest summit in Kosovo and one of the iconic peaks in the Dinaric Alps. Enjoy panoramic views across Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania. From the summit, hikers will descend to the road near Junik, meet the vehicle and drive back to Prishtina (about 3-4 hours).
Trail: 8–10 km | +750 m / –1,100 m | 5–6 h (Moderate)
Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, transfer, and accommodation.
Day 9 — Departures
Breakfast in Prishtina and airport transfers for departing flights.
Included: Breakfast and airport transfer.
Accommodation
HB Accommodation
FB Accommodation
Location
Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro
Note: The actual itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions, and forecasts, road conditions, etc.For further details about the itinerary, please write to us on info@butterflyoutdoor.com
Details
- People: 4-12
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 7 nights (days) / 8 days (days)
- When to do: May to Oct
