Hiking the Balkans

The Accursed Mountains Walk through Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo

About us Balkan Natural Adventure (BNA) is a Swiss-Kosovan tour operator.

Recently featured in Financial Times, The Guardian, Singapore's The Strait Times, and Italy's Il Sole 24 Ore, Balkan Natural Adventure has earned five-star ratings from TripAdvisor with more than 120 reviews in 10 different languages.

Holding Business to Business (B2B) agreements with tour and travel companies based in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic and Serbia, BNA offers a variety of outdoor adventure experiences for discerning travelers from around the globe.

Established in 2015 by local Kosovo adventure guide Nol Krasniqi and Swiss-Kosovan international marketing executive Virtyt Gacaferri, BNA offers an in-depth experience of the Peaks of the Balkans with the aid of highly trained local guides.

BNA co-founder Gacaferri is a former journalist who reported for local and international media during War in Kosovo and also assisted reporters from The Washington Post, BBC, Christian Science Monitor and Wall Street Journal. As Kosovo worked for and ultimately attained its independence, Gacaferri turned his attention to promoting adventure tourism in the Balkans.

Co-founder Nol Krasniqi studied business and border management at University Pjetë Budi in Prishtina. He is an active member of the Kosovo climbing team, and led three major projects in construction of Via Ferrata-s in Kosovo, and he has been one of the first certified guides and he was part of the marking group for Peaks of the Balkans tours. He is a part of the Search & Rescue team.

BNA offers unique outdoor and cultural experiences for travelers from around the world. Dedicated to customized travel experiences for intrepid tourists, BNA offers guided treks through the Accursed Mountains and other unique destinations in the Balkans. The company has grown with more than 15 guides engaged in the season and offers, both, adventures as well as cultural adventures in Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia.

Our Trails in International Press

The Guardian: With some of Europe's most pristine scenery, ancient pastoral traditions little-altered by modern life, and a title to capture the imagination, Albania's Accursed mountains make for a wild holiday with an element of time travel. These peaks, which span over the borders of Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro, have been easier to explore since 2012, when a hiking route, Peaks of the Balkans, opened to tempt walkers.

Straight Times: In the Balkans, a marvel at majestic scenery and a stumble upon bits of Cold War history in the Accursed Mountains, ancient pastoral traditions have survived decades of war and dictatorship.

The Financial Times: This remote and mysterious mountain range, much of it accessible only by foot, offers more than beauty. It hosts, shepherds and goatherds and ancient pastoral traditions that have yet to be destroyed by mechanisation. In its isolated villages, traces still survive of a centuries-old code of conduct that combines extremes of punishment and generosity.

The New York Times: “The path literally links Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox enclaves, as well as Slavs and numerous Albanian tribes in three adjoining national parks, each showcasing the border region's inestimable beauty. Towering rock walls scream for thousands of feet into an unimpeachable sky. Farmhouses gather like asters in valleys. Wolves and lynxes pad through landscapes soaked in green�, Tim Neville The New York Times.

Peaks of the Balkans

CHOOSE YOUR

ADVENTURE Here are three of our top products, which can be provided on a bespoke basis or over fixed dates. You can also contact us with a desire to visit the region, and we will offer you options based on your preferences.

This is the first lengthy hiking trail to traverse the Western Balkans, an area where ancient tracks connect remote regions. The epic walk passes through villages, separated by strict borders and fortified by bunkers that were built over two generations when Communist regimes controlled Yugoslavia and Albania. Winding through meadows, mountain peaks, lakes and woodlands, this is one of the most diverse walking trails in the world. The views and the trails transform, switching from rocky paths and bare peaks to meadows rich with flowers and plants, where nature has been left to run wild. In stark comparison to Western Europe, the grass here is not cut, and the land is left alone for nature to follow its course.

High Scardus Trail High Scardus trail is much older than the Peaks of the Balkans trail. The track passes through the oldest, and arguably biggest, pastures in Europe. Expansive views of rounded peaks and meadows are a specific feature of this trail, which cuts through Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia. The name Scardus comes from the Latin word for colourful. It was later translated to ‘sharr’ in Slavic. The nickname comes from the beautiful autumnal colours seen in the area and the patches of snow that remain on parts of the mountains year-round. This trail was only opened recently, has few people walking on it and is less diverse than alternatives, but, from a cultural perspective, it is fascinating.

The Three Highest Peaks The Three Highest Peaks trail is an original Balkan Natural Adventure track that includes parts of the Peaks of the Balkans and the High Scardus. This is a trophy hike covering the highest mountains in Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia. It’s very special, and the only parts of Montenegro and Macedonia that you will visit will be their tallest peaks. This trail involves less hiking and more transport but its diversity and the sense of achievement gained by walking makes up for that. The peaks, the track traverses, are: Gjeravica (Kosovo) at 2,656 metres/8,714 feet, Kollata e Keqe/Zla Kolata (Montenegro) at 2,534 metres/8,314 feet and Korab (Albania and Macedonia) at 2,764 metres/9,068 feet.

Peaks of the Balkans 5 to 10 days of hiking

Itinerary 10 Days Day 1. Reaching the starting point

Day 5. Hike Vusanje - Babino Polje

The village of Theth is one of the most picturesque places in Northern Albania. Preserved by the wild nature and deteriorated roads, it still has the kulla and other buildings dating back in middle ages.

Distance: 20.31km (12.6 miles) Uphill: 1250m (4101ft), Downhill: 719m (2358ft) Minimum elevation: 953m (3126ft) Maximum elevation: 1250m (3379ft)

Day 2. Hike Theth - NdĂŤrlyse - Theth

Day 6. Hike Babino Polje - Milisevc

Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Uphill: 266m (872ft), Downhill: 435m (1427ft) Minimal elevation: 496m (1627ft) Maximal elevation: 784m (2572ft)

Distance 18km (11.18 miles) Uphill: 980m (3215ft), Downhill: 915 m (3001ft) Minimal elevation: 1534m (5032ft) Maximal elevation: 2290m (7513ft)

Day 3. Hike Theth - Vusanje

Day 7. Hike Milisevc - Doberdol

Distance: 21.3km (13.2 miles) Uphill: 1440m (4724ft), Downhill: 1110m (3641ft) Minimal elevation: 1025m (3362ft) Maximal elevation: 1707m (5600ft)

Distance: 15.8km (9.8 miles) Uphill: 980m (3215ft), Downhill: 915m (3001ft) Minimal elevation: 1534m (5032ft) Maximal elevation: 2290m (7513ft)

Day 4. Hike Vusanje - Taljanka peak

8. Hike Doberdol - Cerem

Distance: 9.8km (6 miles) Uphill: 834m (2742ft), Downhill: 908m (2979ft) Minimal elevation: 1403m (4603ft) Maximal elevation: 2070m (6791ft)

Distance: 15.5km (9.6 miles) Uphill: 440m (1443ft), Downhill: 1030m (3379ft) Minimal elevation: 1220m (4002ft) Maximal elevation: 1920m (6299ft)

Highlights – Visiting Theth - The most picturesque village in Northern Albania, and enjoy the hospitality of the local Roman Catholic population, who used isolation to save their religion.

– Cold War bunkers – Discover bunkers built in the most remote parts of Europe. Albania’s Communist regime constructed thousands of bunkers as part of a defense strategy to protect the country from its neighbors.

– Diverse hiking – Hike in distinct settings and explore a variety of landscapes, from glacial lakes to woodlands, meadows, rocky peaks and wide valleys.

– Glaciers – Albania, and the hike between Theth and Valbona in specific, offers views of the southernmost glacier found in the Northern Hemisphere. To visit the next most southerly glacier, you would have to approach the south pole.

The itinerary, detailed on this page, describes the entire 10-day trip. However, at your request, our company can organize a trip that has less, or more, days of hiking. You can join organized trips, in duration of 10 days, on the following dates: June 23 – July 3, July 21 – 31, August 18 – 28 and September 8 – 18.

For more information, contact, or visit us at: bnadventure.com/peaks-of-the-balkans-2019/

Day 9. Hike Cerem - Valbone Distance: 21.3km (13.26 miles) Uphill: 1820m (5974ft), Downhill: 1581m (5190ft) Minimal elevation: 3135m (955ft) Maximal elevation: 2549m (8365ft)

Day 10. Hike Valbone - Theth

Additional information: To access this trail, fly to any of the following airports: Pristina, Podgorica or Tirana. BA, Wizz Air, TUI and Ryanair flights service these airports.

Distance: 19.5km (12.11 miles) Uphill: 850m (2788ft), Downhill: 1068m (3503ft) Minimal elevation: 728m (2388 ft) Maximal elevation: 1759m (5770 ft) Upon request, we can organize luggage transfers and horses to help children and weaker hikers. We look forward to being challenged by such requests.

Guesthouses: Guesthouses provide proper beds, showers with warm water and towels. Guests are usually accommodated in shared bedrooms and have access to shared bathrooms. Private rooms are available at certain guesthouses and are offered on demand.

Food: Dishes are simple and are made with local products, such as vegetables, bread and meat.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher and halal food can also be provided.

Montenegro

Kosovo

Albania

High Scardus Trail 3 to 8 days of hiking

Itinerary 10 Days Day 1. Hike Brod - Restelice

Day 5. Hike Radomire - Grame

Distance: 9.2km (5.7 miles) Minimal elevation: 1442m (4730ft) Maximal elevation: 1972m (6469ft) Uphill: 773m (2536ft) Downhill: 872m (2860ft)

Distance: 18.83 Km (11.7 miles) Minimal elevation: 1780m (5839ft) Maximal elevation: 1260m (4133ft) Uphill: 351m (1151ft) Downhill: 1080m (3543ft)

Day 2. Hike Restelice - Caje

Day 6. Hike Grame - Zagrad

Distance: 17.2km (10.7 miles) Minimal elevation: 1353m (4439ft) Maximal elevation: 2160m (7087ft) Uphill: 1283m (4062ft) Downhill: 1001m (3297ft)

Distance: 11.6Km (6.9 miles) Minimal elevation: 1152m (3779ft) Maximal elevation: 2321m (7614ft) Uphill: 452m (1482ft) Downhill: 1292m (4238ft)

Day 3. Hike Caje - Radomire

Day 7. Hike Zagrad – Hinoske

Distance: 16.24km (10 miles) Minimal elevation: 725m (2378ft) Maximal elevation: 925m (3034ft) Uphill: 818m (2683ft) Downhill: 1093m (3585ft)

Distance: 15.8Km (9 miles) Minimal elevation: 1048m (3438ft) Maximal elevation: 2053m (6735ft) Uphill: 835m (2739ft) Downhill: 1245m (4084ft)

Day 4. Hike Radomire - Korab Peak

Day 8. Hike Hinoske - Popinare

Distance: 17km (10 miles) Minimal elevation: 1250m (4104ft) Maximal elevation: 2792m (9163ft) Uphill: 1466m (4810ft) Downhill: 1466m (4810ft)

Distance: 9.1km (5.6 mile) Minimal elevation: 609m (1988ft) Maximal elevation: 1751m (5744ft) Uphill: 190m (623ft) Downhill: 1228m (4028ft)

Highlights - Far away from tourists – This newly re-established trail is one of the least visited in Europe. For many years, parts of the track were only home to the villagers and their flocks.

– Hospitality – This region is seldom visited and locals welcome guests with open arms. Experience the genuine hospitality of the Balkan highlands!

– Korab – Climb the highest peak in Albania and Macedonia! At 2,764 metres/9,068 feet, the mountain offers views across the region. On a good day, you can see Greece and the Accursed Mountains of Kosovo and Albania.

– Flora – In contrast to the Alps of Western Europe, the grass here in not harvested, making the landscapes diverse and interesting in flora.

The itinerary on this page describes the entire eight-day trip. However, at your request, ourcompany can organize a trip that has less, or more, days of hiking. This trip can also end at the Mavrovo ski resort in Macedonia. From there, you could continue on to Lake Ohrid, known as the pearl of Macedonia, for swimming and cultural activities. For spa lovers, medical water is available in Dibra, located near Lake Prespa.

For more information, contact, or visit us at: bnadventure.com/high-scardus-trail/ Upon request, we can organise luggage transfers and horses to help children and weaker hikers. We look forward to being challenged by such requests.

Guesthouses: Guesthouses provide proper beds, showers with warm water and towels. However, on this trail, one of the guesthouses does not offer warm water or shower facilities. Guests are usually accommodated in shared bedrooms and have access to shared bathrooms. Private rooms are available at certain guesthouses and are offered on demand.

Additional information: To access this trail, fly to any of the following airports: Pristina, Skopje, Ohrid or Tirana. BA, Wizz Air, TUI and Ryanair flights service these airports.

Kosovo

Food: Dishes are simple and are made with local products, such as vegetables, bread and meat.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher and halal food can also be provided.

Albania Macedonia

The Three Highest Peaks 2 to 6 days

Itinerary 10 Days Day 1. Reaching the starting point

Day 5. Transfer to Sharr Mountains

Transportation from the Airport to the starting point is organized upon your request.

Transfer to Kukes and continuation to Peshkopi.

Accommodation in a guest house and a small walk in the village.

Day 2. Hike Gjeravica - Doberdol

Day 6. Climb Korab

Distance: 16km (10 miles) Uphill: 1424m (4671ft) Downhill 1187m (3894ft) Minimal elevation: 1693m (5554ft) Maximal Elevation 2614m (8576ft)

Distance: 17km (10 miles) Minimal elevation: 1250m (4104ft) Maximal elevation: 2792m (9163ft) Uphill: 1466m (4810ft) Downhill: 1466m (4810ft)

Day 3. Hike Doberdol - Cerem

Day 7. Extra fun

Distance: 15.5km (9.6 miles) Uphill: 440m (1443ft) Downhill: 1030m (3379ft) Minimal elevation: 1220m (4002ft) Maximal elevation: 1920m (6299ft)

Cultural visit could be organized upon your request.

You can choose between Mavrovo or Ohrid in Macedonia; Prizren in Kosovo or Tirana in Albania.

Day 4. Hike Cerem - Valbona Distance: 21.3km (13.26 miles) Uphill: 1820m (5974ft) Downhill: 1581m (5190ft) Minimal elevation: 3135m (955ft) Maximal elevation: 2549m (8365ft)

Upon request: Any hiking trip can be connected to a beach or cultural holiday in a beautiful region of Europe.

The Adriatic and Ionian seas are just a few hours away.

Highlights – The Three Peaks – Hike over three mountains, all higher than 2,600 metres/8,500 feet, in four different countries: Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Kosovo. Mount Korab is shared between Albania and Macedonia.

– Four Countries – Hike in four different countries over the course of six days.

Experience borders that were once hermetically sealed and are now almost non-existent.

– The best of two trails – See some of the best sections of two different trails that remain a well-kept secret: the Peaks of the Balkans and the High Scardus trails.

This is a trophy collection trail that can be completed in parts. On a shorter trip, one can choose to climb the highest peaks in Kosovo (Gjeravica) and/or Montenegro (Zla Kolata) over three consecutive days of hiking.

Alternatively, just climb Korab in a day. Should you want to try more trophy experiences, then we can organize hikes on other mountains in the region, such as Olympia in Greece, Triglav in Slovenia and Musala in Bulgaria.

Additional information: To access this trail, fly to any of the following airports: Pristina, Skopje, Ohrid or Tirana. BA, Wizz Air, TUI and Ryanair flights service these airports.

Gjeravica 2,656 metres/8,714 feet

Zla Kolata 2,534 metres/8,314 ft

Korab 2,764 metres/9,068 feet

"I think no place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from all the world" Edith Durham

Peaks of the Balkans

Upon request: Any hiking trip can be connected to a beach or cultural holiday in a beautiful region of Europe. The Adriatic and Ionian seas are just a few hours away.

High Scardus Trail

JOIN US FOR ADVENTURE www.bnadventure.com email: info@bnadventure.com viber, tel: 0038349661105