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The Peaks of the Balkans Trail

Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo

ISBN

9781786312310

Availability

Published

9 Apr 2025

Edition

Second

Pages

168

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .95cm

Weight

190g

Delivery & Returns

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
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Guidebook to the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, a 192km trek through Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. The route, which can comfortably be completed in less than a fortnight, is waymarked and covers terrain between 670m and 2300m in altitude, taking in remote valleys, dramatic mountain passes, stunning scenery and villages untouched by time.

Seasons

The trekking season begins May/June and finishes in October, with June-August the driest months. Wildflowers bloom in June. Snow-patches may linger until June/July.

Centres

Theth (Albania), Valbona (Albania), Çeremi (Albania), Dobërdol (Albania), Milishevc (Kosovo), Rekë e Allagës (Kosovo), Drelaj (Kosovo), Babino polje (Montenegro), Plav (Montenegro), Vusanje (Montenegro)

Difficulty

Moderate fitness is required, though the walking itself is not difficult. The trail passes through some remote areas.

Must See

Four beautiful national parks: Prokletije (in Montenegro), Thethi and Valbona Valley (in Albania) and Rugova Valley (in Kosovo); birdlife, plants and butterflies; warm Balkans hospitality

ISBN

9781786312310

Availability

Published

9 Apr 2025

Edition

Second

Pages

168

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x .95cm

Weight

190g

Delivery & Returns

Overview

A guidebook to walking the 192km (119 mile) Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Presented in 10 stages of 10–28km (6–17 miles), this circular long-distance trek through the Prokletije mountains inMontenegro, Albania and Kosovo is suitable for most able walkers and can be walked in 2 weeks.

The route passes Theth, Valbona, Çeremi and Dobërdol (Albania); Milishevc, Rekë e Allagës and Drelaj (Kosovo); Babino polje, Plav and Vusanje (Montenegro), and it is suitable to be walked June to October.

Clear route description illustrated with 1:50,000 mapping
GPX files available for download
Suggestions for side trips are also given
Highlights include the Theth and Valbona valleys, the Valbona Pass, Prosllopit Pass and Dobërdol
Detailed practical information covering travel, permits, accommodation, language and safety

Table of Contents

Map key
Overview maps
Route summary table

Introduction
Geography and geology
Historical summary
National parks and nature reserves
Environmental issues
Wildlife and plants
Climate
When to hike
Getting there and around
Accommodation and food
Public holidays
Language
Money
Phones, internet and electricity
Cross-border permits
Local tour operators
Where to start/finish
Variations, transfers and highlights
Trail markings
Maps
Equipment
Water
Safety in the mountains and what to do in an emergency
Using this guide

The Peaks of the Balkans Trail
Stage 1    Theth (Albania) – Valbona (Albania)
Stage 2    Valbona (Albania) – Çeremi (Albania) via the Prosllopit Pass
Stage 3    Çeremi (Albania) – Dobërdol (Albania)
Stage 4    Dobërdol (Albania) – Milishevc (Kosovo)
Stage 5    Milishevc (Kosovo) – Rekë e Allagës (Kosovo)
Stage 6    Rekë e Allagës (Kosovo) – Drelaj or Restaurant Te Liqeni (Kosovo)
Stage 7    Restaurant Te Liqeni (Kosovo) – Babino polje (Montenegro)
Stage 8    Babino polje (Montenegro) – Plav (Montenegro)
Stage 9    Plav (Montenegro) – Vusanje (Montenegro)
Stage 10    Vusanje (Montenegro) – Theth (Albania)

Appendix A    Useful contacts
Appendix B    Accommodation
Appendix C    Further reading
Appendix D    Language and glossary
Appendix E    History timeline

Updates

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

By Rudolf Abraham

Rudolf Abraham (https://www.rudolfabraham.co.uk) is an award-winning travel writer and photographer specialising in Central and Southeastern Europe. He is the author of over 15 books, and his work is published widely in magazines.

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