Stroll
Peaks of the Balkans With Kolata Summit - 7 Days
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Peaks of the Balkans With Kolata Summit - 7 Days

7 Days
Challenging

Overview

Walk one of Europe's last great wilderness trails through the rugged borderlands of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. The Peaks of the Balkans Trail threads through a landscape of dramatic mountain peaks, glacial lakes, wildflower meadows and ancient shepherd paths, connecting remote communities that until recently were sealed off from the world by Cold War borders. The contrast with Western Europe is striking — here the land is left to run wild, and the sense of stepping into a forgotten world is genuine at every turn. This itinerary includes an ascent of Zla Kolata, Montenegro's highest peak, for those seeking a summit challenge. Nights are spent in family guesthouses where the hospitality is warm and the food is homegrown.


Highlights

  • Experience the dramatic Valbona Pass with panoramic views
  • Summit the tallest peak in Montenegro, Zla Kolata.
  • Walk a section of the iconic long-distance trail, Via Dinarica (White Trail)
  • Explore the traditional village of Theth with its iconic stone houses
  • Hike through vibrant meadows alive with wildflowers
  • Witness ancient bunkers and untouched natural landscapes
  • Savour homemade Albanian meals prepared by local families
  • Cross into Montenegro and feel the thrill of the three-border peak
  • Retrace the paths of ancient tribal routes in the Accursed Mountains

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Guest House (4 nights)

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Luggage Transfers

Meals

6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Stroll Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

5

Days on the trail

15-22 km

Average per walking day

466-1696 m

Gain per day

6/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation on the Peaks of the Balkans ranges from three and four-star hotels in Shkodër to simple, characterful guesthouses high in the mountains. Each offers an authentic local experience. Expect rustic charm, home-cooked meals and genuine warmth rather than hotel polish. Bedding, towels and basic amenities are provided throughout, though a travel towel for lake swimming and a sleep sack are recommended.

Note: Due to the remote nature of the trail, bathroom facilities in mountain guesthouses are basic and may be shared. We always endeavour to secure private rooms, but availability in remote villages cannot always be guaranteed at the time of booking. If private rooms are unavailable for your chosen dates, we will let you know before you confirm.

What You'll Eat

Food is one of the genuine highlights of this trek. Guesthouse hosts prepare traditional meals drawing on Balkan, Turkish and European influences. Expect hearty dinners of soups, grilled meats, vegetables and pies, simple breakfasts of homemade bread and local produce, and packed lunches on the trail. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be accommodated, though choices in remote areas will be straightforward. A reusable water bottle is essential, as mountain streams and guesthouse tap water are available for refills along the way. Water treatment tablets are recommended for those who prefer extra peace of mind.

More About This Trip

The closest international airports are Podgorica in Montenegro and Tirana in Albania, both with private transfers included to the starting point in Shkodër.

The journey from Tirana takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours through the Albanian countryside. At the end of the trek, a private transfer returns you to your choice of airport. Speak to your destination consultant about flight options and timing to make the most of your first and last days.

This walk is available from June to September. Summer brings warm conditions and long days ideal for mountain walking, while the wildflower meadows and high alpine scenery are at their most spectacular through July and August. Many of the remote mountain guesthouses close over winter, making this the only practical window for the full Peaks of the Balkans experience.

Travel insurance is required for all Stroll walking holidays, covering cancellation costs, loss of luggage and injury. For international trips, your policy must also include medical evacuation coverage. A cancellation fee applies if you cancel after your holiday has been confirmed. See the FAQ section for full details.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this itinerary. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

July 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Balkans reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

The Peaks of the Balkans is one of Europe's most spectacular and wild long-distance trails — a circular 192km route through the Accursed Mountains, crossing the borderlands of Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. The trail was developed in 2010 as a sustainable tourism project, following ancient Ottoman mule paths through remote valleys, high alpine passes, glacial lakes, and traditional shepherd villages that feel largely untouched by the modern world. Stroll offers two self-guided itineraries: a 7-day highlights version focused on the best sections of the trail, and an 8-day itinerary that includes a summit ascent of Kolata or Taljanka Peak.

This is a remote trail through rugged mountain terrain, and luggage logistics are different here to more developed walking destinations. On many sections, bags are transported by pack horse or transferred by vehicle where road access exists. You carry a daypack on the trail each day with your essentials. Full details of how luggage is handled on each stage are provided in your pre-departure information pack.

A well-fitted, comfortable daypack of at least 30 litres is recommended, given the length and elevation of daily stages. Key items include a quality waterproof jacket and over-trousers, warm layers (temperatures drop quickly at altitude), sturdy mountain boots with ankle support, trekking poles (strongly recommended on this trail), at least 2 litres of water, snacks, sun protection, a personal first aid kit, your phone with GPS tracks loaded, and your border crossing permits. Many sections have no facilities between start and end points, so being self-sufficient for the day is important.

You'll be crossing three countries, each with its own currency situation. Albania uses the Albanian Lek (ALL), Kosovo uses the Euro (€), and Montenegro also uses the Euro. In practice, Euros are widely accepted across all three countries and are the most useful currency to carry. Card acceptance is limited in the remote mountain villages — carry sufficient cash to cover your stay. ATMs are available in larger towns but are not accessible on the trail itself.

The guesthouse hosts in this region are renowned for their exceptional hospitality — welcoming walkers is a deeply held tradition in Albanian and Balkan mountain culture. Tipping is not formally expected but is always warmly appreciated, particularly at family-run guesthouses where your hosts will have cooked your meals and gone out of their way to make you comfortable. A few Euros left at the end of a stay is a meaningful gesture.

The hospitality of the Albanian highlands is legendary — the tradition of welcoming travellers (known as besa) is deeply embedded in local culture and you will experience it at every guesthouse. Accept offers of food, coffee, and raki (the local spirit) graciously. When visiting villages, dress respectfully and be mindful that these are working communities, not tourist attractions. The region has a complex and relatively recent history — the borders you cross on this trail were tightly controlled or entirely closed for much of the 20th century, and the landscape still bears traces of that era in the form of abandoned military posts and bunkers. An openness and curiosity about the local history and culture will enrich the experience enormously.

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The Balkans Experience

Wonder
Stroll the ancient mule track over Valbona Pass, between Shala and Valbona valleys
Cross the triple-border point where Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro meet following sections of the Via Dinarica White Trail
Explore Theth’s stone houses and remote guesthouses steeped in mountain hospitality
Wellness
Slow travel as you hike pack-free on rugged trails, with panoramic ridge and pass views
Peaceful retreats: revive each evening in cosy homestays with traditional Albanian dinners
Breathe deeply through wildflower meadows, glistening lakes and remote shepherd country
Nature
Hike away from the noise and crowds through remote and unspoiled landscapes
Discover untouched landscapes as you wander through the UNESCO-listed Gashi valley & alpine pastures
Pass ancient bunkers, glacial lakes and jagged peaks left gloriously untamed

From

£1,095/person