Peaks Of The Balkans – Valbona Loop

Full Peaks Of The Balkans
-3 Border Pass
- Valbona Loop

Cross borders on foot and experience the Balkans at their rawest, made for hikers who want more than just views.

Trip Days

14 Days

Difficulty

Moderate To Challenging

Max Altitude

2.300m

Type

Hut - to - Hut Trekking

Hot Pick

€500

Peaks of the Balkans – Valbona Loop

The Peaks of the Balkans – Valbona Loop is a true classic for hikers who want more than just great views. Over 13 days, you’ll walk roughly 165-175 km through the wild heart of the Balkans, crossing Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro on foot. This hut-to-hut trek links remote valleys, high mountain passes, and traditional villages where life still moves at a slower pace.

Starting and ending in Valbona, the route takes you through places like Çerem, Dobërdol, Milishevc, Plav, Vusanje, and Theth, with border crossings that feel natural rather than formal. Expect long but rewarding days, especially on tougher sections like Perçlopit Pass and the hikes into Theth and back to Valbona. You’ll stay in local guesthouses and mountain huts, enjoying homemade food and genuine hospitality at the end of each day.

This trek is moderately challenging to challenging, best suited for hikers with good fitness who want a full, immersive mountain experience. It’s raw, scenic, and deeply authentic exactly what the Balkans do best.

Tour Overview

Start / End

Valbona Albania

Countries

Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro

Tour Type

Hut-to-hut trekking

Duration

14 days / 12 hiking days

Total Distance & Max Altitude

~165–175 km & ~2,300 m

Difficulty

Moderate to Challenging

Accomodation

Local guesthouses & mountain huts

Best season

Mid-June – Late September

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Shkoder

    Exploring the city
    Dinner & overnight stay in Shkoder

  • Day 2 - Arrival in Valbona (Albania)

    Transfer from Shkodër/Tirana, via Koman Lake or Kosovo
    Optional acclimatization walks
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Valbona
    Hiking: Optional
    Ascent / Descent: negligible

  • Day 3 – Valbona → Çerem (via Perçlopit Pass)

    Distance: ~18 km
    Time: 7–8 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 950–1,050 m
    Descent: ↓ 850–900 m
    Highest point: Perçlopit Pass (~2,030 m)
    Difficulty: Hard
    Notes: Limited water after Valbona, early start recommended
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Çerem

  • Day 4 – Çerem → Dobërdol

    Distance: ~15 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 750–850 m
    Descent: ↓ 500–600 m
    Terrain: Alpine meadows, shepherd trails
    Difficulty: Moderate–Hard
    Overnight: Guesthouse / mountain hut, Dobërdol

  • Day 5 – Dobërdol → Milishevc (Kosovo)

    Distance: ~18 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 600–700 m
    Descent: ↓ 900–1,000 m
    Border crossing: Albania → Kosovo
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Milishevc

  • Day 6 – Milishevc → Rekë e Allagës

    Distance: ~14 km
    Time: 5–6 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 400–450 m
    Descent: ↓ 650–700 m
    Easier recovery day
    Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Rekë e Allagës

  • Day 7 – Rekë e Allagës → Guri i Kuq

    Distance: ~15 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 700–800 m
    Descent: ↓ 450–500 m
    Forested sections and mountain pass
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Guri i Kuq

  • Day 8 – Guri i Kuq → Plav (Montenegro)

    Distance: ~18 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 550–600 m
    Descent: ↓ 1,000–1,100 m
    Border crossing: Kosovo → Montenegro
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse / hotel, Plav

  • Day 9 – Plav → Vusanje

    Distance: ~14 km
    Time: 4–5 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 450–500 m
    Descent: ↓ 350–400 m
    Valley walk with dramatic scenery
    Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Vusanje

  • Day 10 – Vusanje → Theth (Albania)

    Distance: ~20 km
    Time: 7–8 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 1,050–1,150 m
    Descent: ↓ 900–1,000 m
    Border crossing: Montenegro → Albania
    After arrival in Theth: visit Kisha e Ngujimit & Church of Theth
    Difficulty: Hard
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Theth

  • Day 11 – Exploring Theth - Syri i Kalter - Grunas Waterfall

    Distance: ~15–17 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 600–750 m
    Descent: ↓ 600–750 m
    Highest point: ~1,000–1,100 m
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse,

  • Day 12 – Theth → Valbona

    Distance: ~17 km
    Time: 7–8 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 950–1,050 m
    Descent: ↓ 1,050–1,150 m
    Valbona Pass (~1,800 m)
    Difficulty: Hard
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Valbona / departure

  • Day 13 – Valbona - Prizeren - Tirane

    Departure form Valbona
    Break & city exploring in Prizeren
    Arrival & overnight in Tirana

  • Day 14 – Tirana - Airport

    Airport departure

Tour Overview

Start / End

Valbona Albania

Countries

Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro

Tour Type

Hut-to-hut trekking

Duration

14 days / 12 hiking days

Total Distance & Max Altitude

~165–175 km & ~2,300 m

Difficulty

Moderate to Challenging

Accomodation

Local guesthouses & mountain huts

Best season

Mid-June – Late September

Peaks of the Balkans – Valbona Loop

The Peaks of the Balkans – Valbona Loop is a true classic for hikers who want more than just great views. Over 14 days, you’ll walk roughly 165-175 km through the wild heart of the Balkans, crossing Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro on foot. This hut-to-hut trek links remote valleys, high mountain passes, and traditional villages where life still moves at a slower pace.

Starting and ending in Valbona, the route takes you through places like Çerem, Dobërdol, Milishevc, Plav, Vusanje, and Theth, with border crossings that feel natural rather than formal. Expect long but rewarding days, especially on tougher sections like Perçlopit Pass and the hikes into Theth and back to Valbona. You’ll stay in local guesthouses and mountain huts, enjoying homemade food and genuine hospitality at the end of each day.

This trek is moderately challenging to challenging, best suited for hikers with good fitness who want a full, immersive mountain experience. It’s raw, scenic, and deeply authentic exactly what the Balkans do best.

  • Day 1 - Arrival in Shkoder

    Exploring the city
    Dinner & overnight stay in Shkoder

  • Day 2 - Arrival in Valbona (Albania)

    Transfer from Shkodër/Tirana, via Koman Lake or Kosovo
    Optional acclimatization walks
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Valbona
    Hiking: Optional
    Ascent / Descent: negligible

  • Day 3 – Valbona → Çerem (via Perçlopit Pass)

    Distance: ~18 km
    Time: 7–8 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 950–1,050 m
    Descent: ↓ 850–900 m
    Highest point: Perçlopit Pass (~2,030 m)
    Difficulty: Hard
    Notes: Limited water after Valbona, early start recommended
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Çerem

  • Day 4 – Çerem → Dobërdol

    Distance: ~15 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 750–850 m
    Descent: ↓ 500–600 m
    Terrain: Alpine meadows, shepherd trails
    Difficulty: Moderate–Hard
    Overnight: Guesthouse / mountain hut, Dobërdol

  • Day 5 – Dobërdol → Milishevc (Kosovo)

    Distance: ~18 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 600–700 m
    Descent: ↓ 900–1,000 m
    Border crossing: Albania → Kosovo
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Milishevc

  • Day 6 – Milishevc → Rekë e Allagës

    Distance: ~14 km
    Time: 5–6 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 400–450 m
    Descent: ↓ 650–700 m
    Easier recovery day
    Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Rekë e Allagës

  • Day 7 – Rekë e Allagës → Guri i Kuq

    Distance: ~15 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 700–800 m
    Descent: ↓ 450–500 m
    Forested sections and mountain pass
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Guri i Kuq

  • Day 8 – Guri i Kuq → Plav (Montenegro)

    Distance: ~18 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 550–600 m
    Descent: ↓ 1,000–1,100 m
    Border crossing: Kosovo → Montenegro
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse / hotel, Plav

  • Day 9 – Plav → Vusanje

    Distance: ~14 km
    Time: 4–5 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 450–500 m
    Descent: ↓ 350–400 m
    Valley walk with dramatic scenery
    Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Vusanje

  • Day 10 – Vusanje → Theth (Albania)

    Distance: ~20 km
    Time: 7–8 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 1,050–1,150 m
    Descent: ↓ 900–1,000 m
    Border crossing: Montenegro → Albania
    After arrival in Theth: visit Kisha e Ngujimit & Church of Theth
    Difficulty: Hard
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Theth

  • Day 11 – Exploring Theth - Syri i Kalter - Grunas Waterfall

    Distance: ~15–17 km
    Time: 6–7 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 600–750 m
    Descent: ↓ 600–750 m
    Highest point: ~1,000–1,100 m
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Overnight: Guesthouse,

  • Day 12 – Theth → Valbona

    Distance: ~17 km
    Time: 7–8 hrs
    Ascent: ↑ 950–1,050 m
    Descent: ↓ 1,050–1,150 m
    Valbona Pass (~1,800 m)
    Difficulty: Hard
    Overnight: Guesthouse, Valbona / departure

  • Day 13 – Valbona - Prizeren - Tirane

    Departure form Valbona
    Break & city exploring in Prizeren
    Arrival & overnight in Tirana

  • Day 14 – Tirana - Airport

    Airport departure

Short Gallery

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