The village of Theth is one of the most picturesque places in Northern Albania. Preserved by the wild nature, the village still has the kulla and other buildings dating back to the middle ages. The village is 100 percent Roman Catholic, and has the most unique structure in the world. Kulla e Ngujimit, which is a three story rock building with no windows, served as the self-imposed exile for people who were involved in blood feuds.

You will spend this day walking in the village toward the waterfalls and naturally created “bath-tubs” of the Shala River. This is a relaxing walk full of cultural and natural beauties. Though the hike is quite long, it is not a difficult one as you will be walking in a trail that has few ascents/descents. To make the hike shorter you could take a transfer from Nderlyse and back to Theth. In Nderlyse there is transfer service available close to the coffee bars.

Distance: 19.8 km (12.30 mi) (back and forth way including the waterfall)
Uphill cumulative: 520m (1710ft)
Downhill cumulative: 630m (2066ft)
Minimal elevation: 870m (2854ft)
Maximal elevation: 500m (1640ft)

After you have rested, prepare yourself for an exciting day ahead during which you will reach the Valbona Pass (1759m) and the town of Valbona (995m) nestled in the heart of the eponymous national park. This 16-kilometer route follows the path of an ancient mule track linking the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj. The hike goes through a narrow crest that gives a view in both of the valleys and is the most southern glacier in the northern hemisphere.
After a difficult ascent, you will walk slowly in the track to get to the village of Valbona. You will be walking between the catholic valley of Shala and the Muslim valley of Valbona. The Albanian Catholics are descendants of pro Venetian Albanians living in the city of Shkodra. These are the most southern Roman Catholics in Europe as the divide between the Orthodoxy and Roman Catholics is Croatia. The Albanian catholic tribes have moved to these mountains to preserve their religion from the ottoman rule.
Once you have finished this eventful trek, you will rest and have a refreshing meal at your accommodation place.

Distance: 16.4 km (10.50 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1175m (3855ft)
Downhill cumulative: 940m (3080ft)
Minimal elevation: 730m (2390ft)
Maximal elevation: 1854m (6082ft)

There are two possible routes from Valbone to Cerem: the ‘low/official’ (valley) route and the spectacular, the ‘high/optional’ route via Presllopi Pass (the one we offer). This trail is one of the steepest ones in the whole Peaks of the Balkans but it offers at the same time the most spectacular view in Accursed Mountains bare stone harsh peaks instead of pretty much opposite of the official section which mostly follows a tractor dirt road down the valley offering very little to see. Persllopi Pass is also a cross-point from where it’s possible to climb the Zla Kollata Peak (2535m) which is the highest peak in Montenegro and offers a breathtaking view on Accursed Mountains.

Distance: 15.5 km (9.63 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1215m (3986ft)
Downhill cumulative: 1005m (3300ft)
Minimal elevation: 1215m (3985ft)
Maximal elevation: 2039m (6689ft)

Refreshed, you will walk between two shepherd’s villages which are inhabited only during the summer so that shepherds can use the abundant pastures. Doberdol is connected to the world only by small tracks, and is not reachable by regular cars. The village is situated below the triple-border point between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. On the way you will pass through the village of Balqin where you can stop for a glass of milk served by the local shepherds. These mountains are part of the Gashi valley from where the Gashi tribe comes from, and are under strict protection, as they are also home to glacial lakes of Sulbica platou. Gashi valley was included in UNESCO Natural World Heritage list in 2017.
Your day will end in a cozy accommodation place in Doberdol.

Distance: 16.8 km (10.43 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1100m (3608ft)
Downhill cumulative: 520m (1706ft)
Minimal elevation: 1180m (3871ft)
Maximal elevation: 1920m (6299ft)

After you have had your rest, during this trail you will be climbing Gjeravica peak (2656m), the highest mountain of Kosovo and the second highest of the Accursed Mountains, after Jezerca peak. The route to the summit from Doberdol is a straightforward hike. This is a loop path that will take you to Kosovo, a border which is almost not protected at all. However, during the communist regimes in this part of the world, this was the border between Albania and Yugoslavia and one of the most protected borders in the world.
When the hike is finished, you will have a restful evening and prepare for your next hike.

Distance: 19 km (11.80 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1134m (3720ft)
Downhill cumulative: 1130m (3707ft)
Minimal elevation: 1765m (5790ft)
Maximal elevation: 2656m (8714ft)

Another beautiful day of hiking will take you between two shepherds’ villages in two different countries, however sharing the same culture and language. These two valleys have been connected by culture but disconnected by political borders. During your hike, you will reach the narrow pass on the border with Montenegro, from which the views are spectacular. From here, you will be climbing the 2366m Three Border peak. This part of the mountain is very well protected because, from Milisevc, you are connected to the biggest city next to the mountain, Peja, which we also call the capital city of the Accursed Mountains. The hosts of the guesthouse where you will be accommodated will make your stay worthwhile as you take your time to rest.

Distance: 17.6 km (10.95 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 970m (3182ft)
Downhill cumulative: 1075m (3526ft)
Minimal elevation: 1535m (5032ft)
Maximal elevation: 2250m (7381ft)

Saying goodbye to Milisevc, you will leave for a detour from the classic Peaks of the Balkans trail. The company decided to take this in order to avoid some hikes which are less attractive and include some unnecessary car transfers. The hike will go through some of the least trodden trails in the Accursed Mountains in Kosovo, and will join the classic trail in the section Kuqishte- Babino Polje, which will go partly through Zavoj Ravno Selo. This section is the least visited in the whole trail giving you a sense of isolation where the mountains will be all yours. When the day is over, you will reach Babino Polje, a typical Montenegrin shepherd village which is famous for its original dairy products and cuisine.

Distance: 12.5 km (7.76 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 610m (2000ft)
Downhill cumulative: 775m (2540ft)
Minimal elevation: 1508m (4945ft)
Maximal elevation: 2155m (7070ft)

Gerbaja Valley situated in Montenegro was considered as the most beautiful valley in Tito’s Yugoslavia, home to now 7 independent states. This part of the trail is a detour from the classic Peaks of the Balkans trail however, we consider it a pity that this valley was left out since it is one of the most panoramic in the whole trail. To start the hike, you will take a 20 minutes transport or if you are staying in Babino Polje, the transport will take a bit longer. The hike will start with a climb to Taljanka peak, a green heaven with a view on Karanfil, a rough rock massive. When the sun sets and you finish the hike you will have witnessed breathtaking scenic views on many bare stone high peaks as you have walked along the ridge and top of the Taljanka peak (2057m) and Popadija (2030m) peaks.

Distance: 9.2 km (5.71 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1100m (3605ft)
Downhill cumulative: 995m (3260ft)
Minimal elevation: 1140m (3740ft)
Maximal elevation 2057m (6748ft)

Well rested, you will begin the 23 kilometer hike to the historic Albanian village of Theth. The path passes along the craggiest part of the Accursed Mountains or Prokletije/Albanian Alps, which was a forbidden zone during the Communist era. In addition to the dramatic cliffs that form the backdrop for the day’s hike, you will also see a military bunker and the old border crossing signs as you cross into Albania.

After the hike you will be transferred to Shkoder.

Distance: 23.1 km (14.35 mi)
Uphill cumulative: 1140m (3740ft)
Downhill cumulative: 1400m (4590ft)
Minimal elevation: 730m (2395ft)
Maximal elevation: 1740m (5705ft)