Best of Peaks of Balkans

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – KUCISHTE

Journey to Kucishte in the Rugova Valley. On the journey, you get a first impression of the wild mountains and the landscapes of Albania, Montenegro, and Prishtina. Here begins our entry to the Peaks of Balkan long-distance hiking trail, which takes up to 14 days in total can. We’ll run 5 stages of this.

DAY 2: KUQISHTE – BABINO POLJE

Early in the morning, we start from Kuqishte. First, we drive through the forest and open clearings up the mountain to the two mountain lakes of the same name, which lie quietly and undisturbed surrounded by forest. After the lakes, the route continues steadily up the mountain until we reach the highest point of the stage, along the border of Kosovo and Montenegro. From there we descend to about 1,450 m, where we reach the guesthouse in Babino Polje. Walking: 16 km, 8 – 9 h, +1.170 m / -1.110 m Min. 1.468 m Max. 2.276 m,-easy mountain trail (DAV).

DAY 3: BABINO POLJE – PLAV (Montenegro)

This long way leads from Babino Polje over the lake Hrid to Plav. From Babino Polje goes it along the river Hridska to the eastern side of the Hrid lake at about 1,800 m Lake Hrid is an important nature reserve within the Prokletije National Park. The small peak Sacirov and Veliki Hrid with 2.011 m are both beautiful viewpoints. We continue on the initially unpaved but later asphalted road to the village of Plav. Interesting cultural sights here are the Redzepagica tower and an old wooden mosque. Walking: 20 km, 8 – 9 h, +870 m /-1.390 m, Min. 990 m, Max. 2.070 m,-easy mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 4: PLAV – VUSANJE (with transfer)

To shorten the actual stage of the Peak of Balkan a little, we will be driven by a local minibus to the starting point of the hike. Nevertheless, a good piece of the path lies ahead of us. Walking: 24 km +1.220/-1.180 m, Min. 990 m, Max. 2.149 m – easy mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 5: VUSANJE (MNE)- THETH (Albania)

One of the most spectacular landscapes with an eventful history awaits us on the way from Vusanje to Theth. The first part of the route we are driven. A special challenge is a long descent with 1.450 m. The effort is rewarded by magnificent views. Walking: 23 km, +950 /-1,140 m, Min. 750 m, Max. 1,735 m  – medium difficulty mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 6: THETH – WATERFALL – THETH

We spend the morning with a rather leisurely 3 – 4-hour hike to the waterfall of Theth. During the hike, we visit the old church of Theth, as well as the Lock-in Towers. We learn more about the two cultural monuments. In the afternoon we simply enjoy ourselves. Walking: 3,5 km, +200 /-200 m, 2,3 h,- easy way (DAV)

DAY 7: THETH – VALBONA

This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Albanian Alps. At the Valbona Pass we have a lunch break, with one of the best views of the Albanian Alps. Our view is to the east to the Valbona Valley and to the west to Theth. In Valbona an icy cold mountain stream awaits us, where we can cool our feet after the hike. Walking: 13.9 km, +1,068 / -800 m, Min. 960 m, Max. 1,745 m, 7 – 9 h. -easy mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 8: VALBONA – PRIZREN – OVERNIGHT STAY WITH SHEPHERD FAMILY ON THE ALP

Drive from Valbona to Prizren. City tour and lunch. Then we drive in direction to Zhur and finally arrive at a cattle pasture at about 1.500 meters, where will be welcomed from a shepherd family.

DAY 9: HIKING (Zhur Alp, Koritnik 2.393 m)

Our day begins by climbing Mount Koritnik, where the shepherd family will accompany us along the journey. Walking: 19 km, 7 – 9 h, +1,050 /-1,050 m, Min. 1,500 m, Max. 2,400 m. -medium difficulty mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 10: ZHUR – TRANSFER TO MILISHEVC (ski hut) HIKING TO CAJI

From Zhur we will drive back to Albania, where we will do the summit ascent to the mountain Launch Korab. This starts in Milishevc and leads us first to Caji. Walking: 10 km, 7 – 9 h, +950 /-850 m, Min. 960 m, Max. 2.100 m, easy mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 11: CAJI – HIGH PASTURE NEAR KORABI

From Caji we will first go steeply uphill to the border to Kosovo, where we will walk along a long way. When we reach the highest point of the mountain Korab, lies ahead. Then we descend a short distance to a high alpine pasture at 1.900 m where we will spend the night in tents. Cooking is easy here and as it is appropriate for the altitude. Walking: 12 km, 7 – 9 h, +1.100/-200 m, Min. 960 m, Max. 2.100 m,  -easy mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 12: THE ALTITUDE OF KORABI (2,730 m)

Korabi is the highest mountain in Albania and is located in the middle of the nature park of the same name. Impressive high pastures and rugged rock formations form the backdrop of this ascent. A total of almost 900 meters of altitude difference has to be managed. We will meet sheep and goats and with a little luck, we will see the golden eagle circling in the sky.

Walking: 8 km, 7- 9 h, +850 /-850 m, Min. 1.900 m, max 2.730 m, medium difficulty mountain trail DAV.

DAY 13: KORABI – RADOMIR – TRANSFER KUKES

The last day in the mountains we start off in a relaxed manner. After breakfast, we hike down the hill to the village of Radomir. The descent is a bit steep in some places but overall rather easy. After the descent and a small refreshment in Radomir, we take the bus to Kukes, where we celebrate the farewell. Walk. 5.8 km, 3 – 4 h, +50 /-800 m, Min. 960 m, max 1,900 m, easy mountain trail (DAV)

DAY 14: END OF PROGRAM – RETURN HOME

On this day we bring the travelers either to the airport Tirana (2,5 h) or to Durres (3 h), Podgorica (3 h) or Prishtina (1.5 h). The 14th day is a Saturday so that the participants can also travel back by ferry, train or bus by Sunday evening.