Planning the Peaks of the Balkans Trek

The Peaks of the Balkans (POB) is a 192 km trekking route through the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije) across Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. It’s a mix of alpine passes, remote valleys, and small mountain villages - one of the few places in Europe where long-distance hiking still feels unrushed and authentic.

Why People Hike It

It’s one of the last places in Europe where you can cross two international borders in a single day on foot, ending the evening in a small family run guesthouse rather than a polished hotel. You aren't just seeing the mountains; you're seeing a way of life that has barely changed in decades, fueled by strong coffee and homemade rakija.

What to Know Upfront

Signage is inconsistent in places, especially in the high karst sections, so don’t rely on waymarks alone. Some “green border” crossings require permits from the police, and they need to be arranged before you arrive. Many stages involve 1,000m+ of ascent, which feels harder if you’re carrying your full pack.

None of this is meant to put you off. It’s a brilliant route and rewards having the essentials sorted ahead of time: reliable GPX tracks, offline navigation, correct gear, and a plan for accommodation.

Trail Route Overview

Most hikers complete the Peaks of the Balkans in around 10 days, travelling anti-clockwise from Plav. The full traverse crosses high passes in Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro with daily elevation gains that feel closer to the Alps than a classic European long-distance trail.

Below is the shape of the route - the full distances, timings, and alternates are included in the Trail Pack.

Classic 10-Day Structure

• Day 1–3: Plav → Vusanje → Theth → Valbona (high passes + border permit use)
• Day 4–6: Valbona → Çerem → Dobërdol → Milishevc (remote sections + logistics)
• Day 7–8: Milishevc → Reke e Allagës → Rest to Liqeni (exposed passes, weather calls)
• Day 9–10: Rest to Liqeni → Babino Polje → Plav (re-entry to Montenegro + exit options)

For full stage notes (daily distances, elevation profiles, GPX files,and logistics), they're all included in the €50 Trail Pack.

Best Time to Hike the POB

The prime window is late June to mid-September.

The Snow Factor: Even in June, high passes can hold steep snow patches that require care. By late June these are usually manageable.

The Heat & Water: August is the driest and busiest month. If you hike then, sun protection and water are priorities.

The Shoulder Season: May and October are beautiful but high-risk. Expect freezing temperatures at night and the very real possibility of being turned back by snow. Many guesthouses are seasonal and will be closed outside of the core months.

Choose Your Own Adventure

How do you want to hike?

The Independent Path: If you’re comfortable planning your own logistics and want the freedom to move at your pace, the €50 Trail Pack gives you the verified GPX files, border permit steps, and accommodation contacts to plan without guesswork.

The Guided Path: If you’d rather have someone handle weather calls, border admin, and route decisions so you can just focus on the hiking, a Guided Tour is the straightforward option.

What You’ll Need - Overview

• Broken-in hiking boots
• 40-60L Pack
• Layering system
• Offline maps + backup navigation
• Cash (not all villages take cards)
• Basic first aid + headtorch + whistle

The full POB packing checklist - including altitude layers, gear, and border requirements - is included in the Trail Pack (€50).

Fitness Requirements

Expect 4–8 hours of hiking per day, often with 800–1,200m of climbing on rocky alpine paths. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with back-to-back days on steep ground and carrying your pack.

If you haven’t done multi-day hikes before, prep is important:

• Weekend hikes with a loaded backpack
• Basic leg strength (lunges / step-ups)
• Getting used to uphill/downhill on uneven terrain

The trail is much more rewarding when you arrive prepared rather than improvising.

Safety & Logistics

This is a remote, alpine trail with patchy phone signal and mixed signage. You’ll be making decisions without immediate help. The biggest things to get right are:

• Navigation: offline GPX + backup, not just trail marks
• Borders: some sections need permits before arrival
• Weather calls: snow on passes, storms in the afternoons
• Accommodation: seasonal openings - not all villages operate year-round

If you want the full breakdown — border templates, verified GPX, contacts, and stage-by-stage notes - it’s all bundled in the €50 Trail Pack.

Getting There

Start/finish most easily from Plav (Montenegro) with access from Podgorica Airport. Tirana and Pristina also work, but transfers take longer and need planning.

Next Step

If you want to hike it independently, the €50 Trail Pack includes the verified GPX files, border permit steps, and accommodation contacts so you don't have to piece everything together.

If you'd rather have someone handle weather calls and logistics, guided options are available on request.

Choose your style of hiking

Whichever you choose, sort the basics before you go. It's a better trail when you're not improvising.