The Peaks of the Balkans: Europe’s Best Kept Secret
Are you looking for a European trekking experience that rivals the most famous alpine routes but without the overwhelming crowds? Welcome to the Peaks of the Balkans.
This incredible trail loops through the rugged and remote mountains of Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. It is frequently described as “The Dolomites without the crowds”—and for good reason!
Trail Vital Statistics
This is considered a difficult trek, but very doable for folks in good shape. Here is what an average day on the trail looks like:
- Duration: 4–10+ Days (flexible itineraries)
- Average Daily Distance: ~12 Miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: ~4,000 ft per day
- Max Altitude: ~7,500 ft
- Season: Mid-June to Mid-September
- Trail Map Link: Click to view my trail on Gaia GPS.
Why Choose This Over the Alps?
The primary draw of this route is the solitude. While the scenery is world-class, the foot traffic is a fraction of what you find on other major European trails.
To give you an idea of the difference:
- Tour du Mont Blanc: Over 200,000 people annually.
- Dolomites (AV1): Popular sections see 8,000+ hikers per day.
- Peaks of the Balkans: Attracts roughly 43,000 hikers per year.
The Guest House Experience (Leave the Tent at Home!)
One of the best parts of this trek is the accommodation. You don’t need to carry a heavy camping kit because this is a hut-to-hut adventure. You will be staying in remote shepherd villages, often reachable only by foot or horse.
💰 The Cost: Expect to pay roughly $30–$50 per person, per night.
🇬🇧 Language Barrier: In our experience, there was always someone able to speak English at each guesthouse. Many guesthouses also speak German.
🍴 What’s included? The hospitality is legendary. That price typically includes:
- A bed in a basic but comfortable family-run shepherd hut.
- Dinner: Huge, buffet-style family meals with fellow hikers featuring hearty stews, sausage, fresh salad, bread, and veggies.
- Breakfast: Fuel for the trail including eggs, local cheese, yogurt, bread, jam, and fruit.
- Lunch: They even pack you a sack lunch for your hike the next day!
Customize Your Adventure
The trail is not a rigid single track; there are plenty of ways to make it your own:
- Choose your difficulty: Take a “high route” for sweeping views or a “low route” to rest your legs.
- Bag a Peak: Add a summit or two to your itinerary, or explore the dramatically named Accursed Mountains.
- Rest Days: Take a day off to swim at Plav’s Lake or just relax in a village with a coffee.
- Scenic Detours: You can even incorporate a beautiful ferry ride into your trip.
Post-Trek Travel
After conquering the peaks, the region offers plenty of options to unwind. You can head to the beautiful beaches of Albania to recover, or explore historic cities in Montenegro and Kosovo.
Pro Tip: If you are flying in and out of Tirana, there are lots of cheap and safe luggage storage options in the city to leave your non-hiking gear while you are on the trail!