Balkans Accursed Mountains Trek - 02 September

DAY 1 - WELCOME TO THE BALKANS! ARRIVE IN ALBANIA - SHKODER CITY TOUR & ACCLIMATISE

Arriving at Tirana International Airport, you will meet and greet with your guide, before transferring to Shkodra, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Albania with a 2500-year-old history. 

Depending on the time you will arrive, we will do a short city tour in Shkoder visiting the sights of the city, including the legendary Rozafa castle and main high street.

Drive: 2hrs 30min 

We start our morning with a two-hour drive to Komani Lake, the Thailand of Europe famed for its beautiful mountains and rivers. Here we board our boat for the transfer across the lake to “Blini Park” - Shala River. 

Along the boat ride you can admire the immensity of your surroundings and the myriad shades of blue as we venture towards the start of the trek. Isolated from high peaks, the blue water of Shala River offers adventurers a panorama of those that resemble Thailand's and cannot be found anywhere else in Europe. 

After the scenic boat ride, we will have a short warm-up hike beside Valbona River for 4km before reaching our guesthouse and settling in for the night, and the adventure that lays ahead.

Drive: 3hrs 30min 

Difficulty: Easy

Walking: 2hrs; 4-5Km. 

Today we hike from Valbona to Theth via the spectacular Valbona Pass, with the trail beginning with a climb towards higher ground where we venture into, and across the pass itself. 

After several hours hiking uphill, we reach the top of the pass and stop for a break to admire the views of both Thethi and Valbona in either direction. 

We continue walking down to a mountain cafe for lunch. After which we will make our way down into the valley and stay in a local guest house. 

Trek: 16Km; Uphill: 790m, Downhill: 1100m; 

Time: 6-7hrs 

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging 

Day 4 begins with a cup of hot mountain tea and a hearty breakfast, before we set out on one of the most historical days of the trail. 

Today sees us head through rolling terrain alongside traditional Albanian homes, and the church-house of Thethi that stands in the midst of the plain-solid, shingle-roofed building with a bell tower. 

As we walk walk through Thethi National Park, the snowy peak of Bosh, Radohime and Kakia mountains in the distance give us a taste of the unmatched mountain scenery to come in the days ahead. Whilst the village of Theth that we stay in offers one of the most picturesque and unique adventure experiences in Europe. 

Preserved by the residents, the village still has the kulla and other buildings dating back to the middle ages. Today is a shorter (about 4 hours) walk starting from the guesthouse and visiting the local beauty spots in and around the village, such as the stone-‐build Catholic Church, the blood feud tower ‘Kulla e Ngujimit’, the waterfall, the Grunasi Canyon, bathtubs of Nderlysa, and the Blue Eye Lake before we turn back.

Trek: 10Km; Uphill: 450m, Downhill: 350m; 

Time: 5-6hrs 

Difficulty: Easy

Today’s hike into Prokletije National Park is certain to be a memorable one, offering a relatively long day that crosses the border between Albania and Montenegro.

The first 4-5km we take a 4x4 transport to Okol village, the starting point of the trail. The path then passes along the craggiest part of the Prokletije/Bjeshkёt e Namuna/Alpet Shqipёtare Mountains. Almost the entire hike is surrounded by steep mountains with stunning views. 

This day equally allows us a glance into the region’s past when it was a forbidden zone during the Communist era, with a border military post, bunkers, and the border crossing pyramid sign still remaining. 

We will have a picnic lunch in lush Alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers and full of butterflies, before heading down to our guesthouse for the evening.

Trek: 17Km; Uphill: 1200m, Downhill: 1100m

Time: 8-9hrs Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging 

Our trek starts out with a gradual uphill pass through the forest to Vallushnica Peak, the first peak for today's hike. 

Next the trail passes across the ridge of Karanfili's Massif, a stunning group of mountains in the heart of the Albanian Alps. After which we begin the final ascent to Taljanka Peak, 2056m, for a picnic lunch. 

After lunch, we’ll descent down to the Valley and then take a transfer back to Vusanje where we stay the night. 

Trek: 11.5Km; Uphill: 550m, Downhill: 890m

Time: 6-7hrs; Transport: 50min  

Difficulty: Moderate 

Today’s hike starts first with a short transfer to Babino Polje, the starting point of the trail. 

The hike is relatively easy and leads us up to Hrid Lake, an amazing place to rest and swim after many days hiking. After which we continue to walk towards Doberdol pasture, crossing the green border from Montenegro to Albania on route.

Following the trail, we pass by the infamous Three-border point (Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro), stopping for a photo in three countries at once, before we continue towards our overnight guesthouse in Doberdol. 

Trek: 12Km; Uphill: 950m, Downhill: 850m

Time: 7-8hrs

Transport: 30min

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate 

The last day of the trek, hiking from Doberdol to Gropa Erenikut via the highest mountain in Kosovo, Mt Gjeravica (2656m) then transfering to Prizren. 

Gjeravica is the highest peak in Kosovo and is a tough, but beautiful climb filled with wonder and natural beauty on route, including two glacial lakes, Heart Lake and Big Lake of Gjeravica, whilst those who reach the summit can take a picture with the flag and sign the visitor book of Mt Gjeravica firmly placed at the top of the mountain 

After we finish the trek, we will go to the Grand Hotel Gjeravica for a delicious lunch then a two-hour drive to Prizren, a historic city in Kosovo with a vibrant culture, food and drinks.

Trek: 13Km; Uphill: 950m, Downhill: 800m; 

Time: 7-8hrs; 

Transport: 2hrs 30min. 

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging 

A day of rest and exploration to help recover from the challenge. After breakfast, we will have a cultural tour to discover the city of Prizren, looking into it's rich Ottoman and Byzantium history. Then, after lunch we drive to Tirana, the Albanian capital, to settle into our hotel, before heading into the city to unwind with a celebratory meal and drinks. 

Before heading off to the airport, the team will have a free and relaxing morning in Tirana to explore the city's coffee shops or museums. After lunch, our adventure ends with a private transfer to the Airport, ending our exciting trek in the heart of the Balkans.