Looking for your next hiking, cycling or kayaking holiday? With breathtaking scenery and a unique culture? And only a short flight from the UK, say in Europe somewhere? Check, check and check. The Balkans boasts vast swathes of untouched natural beauty in its national parks. Some of the forests are so old and undisturbed, they’re considered primaeval – as are some of the animals living in them.
So, you’ve come to the right place if you’re seeking a true outdoor adventure. Behold, seven of the best national parks to explore in the Western Balkans by foot, bike, kayak or raft.
1. Shkodra Lake/Lake Skadar, Albania/Montenegro
Sitting on the border between Albania and Montenegro, Shkodra or Skadar Lake (depending on which side of the border you’re on) is Southern Europe’s largest lake. During summer, this karst oasis is carpeted with lily pads and teeming with wildlife year-round, such as the majestic Dalmatian Pelican.
Strictly speaking, only two-thirds of the lake is a national park and that’s on the Montenegrin side, which is also a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, a candidate UNESCO biosphere and our adopted home. But we couldn’t not mention the equally stunning Albanian part of the lake on a technicality. There are endless possibilities for outdoor adventures whichever side of the lake you visit, from hiking and cycling to wild swimming and SUP.
Skadar or Shkodra, make the most of the lake with us on an adventure holiday in Montenegro or Albania.
2. Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
Forged by glaciers, the UNESCO World Heritage Durmitor National Park lies in the Montenegrin Dinaric Alps. Characterised by dizzying canyons, razor sharp peaks, rolling meadows and karst lakes which are known locally as “mountain eyes,” there’s no wondering why it’s our guide Vera’s favourite place.
As Vera will tell you herself if you join us in Montenegro, there are endless outdoor adventures to be had in Durmitor. During the summer you can go hiking or mountain biking or hit the Tara River for some kayaking and rafting. Come winter, it’s a ski resort with an array of winter sports to be enjoyed.
Hike in Durmitor National Park on our super active Montenegro holiday and our week-long family activity holiday in Montenegro.
3. Theth National Park, Albania
Known by hikers for the Valbona Pass, word is getting around about Theth National Park, home to a village by the same name where time has very much stood still. The national park covers an area of 26km² (10.15 miles²) in the high Albanian Alps and encapsulates the Shala Valley and Shala River.
Theth boasts miles of mountain trails through its beech forests to steep, sharp summits giving way to epic views and to secluded waterfalls, the most beautiful being the Blue Eye. New to the park in 2024 is a 1,200-metre zipline which whisks you through the forest canopies and over the village, delivering the ultimate adrenaline rush.
You think the Alps in Western Europe are beautiful? They’re nothing compared to the dramatic, karst landscapes you can find in and around Theth.
Explore Theth National Park on our North Albania adventure.
4. Tara National Park, Serbia
Located in Western Serbia on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tara National Park could easily be mistaken for Canada – especially considering it has a Brown Bear population. The park covers an area of 220 km² (85 miles²) around Tara Mountain. Being just a few hours’ drive from the capital of Belgrade, many families escape the city for a weekend of walking and cycling beneath its ancient forest canopies.
If you have heard of Tara National Park, it’ll likely be from photos of Banjska Stena viewpoint (pictured above), where most visitors go for a photo. From there, you can see Bosnia and Herzegovina on the other side of the Drina River flowing below.
Speaking of which, the Drina is perfect for exhilarating water sports such as white water rafting and kayaking. Each year, a huge regatta is held on the river and spectators can catch a glimpse of the action from Banjska Stena viewpoint.
Hike in Tara National Park and meet a family who quit modern life to live off-grid there on our 7 day Serbia adventure.
5. Prokletije National Park, Albania/Kosovo/Montenegro
Montenegro isn’t only home to Southern Europe’s largest lake, it’s also the proud co-owner of Europe’s youngest national park – Prokletije, which earned its NP status in 2009. Spreading across the borders with northern Albania and Kosovo, you can expect more of that jaw dropping scenery found in Theth National Park – plunging karst canyons and ancient forests. Seriously, the Alps have nothing on the Dinaric Alps. You will also find the highest peak in the Balkans in the Albanian section of the park – Maja e Jezercë at 2,694m (8,840ft) above sea level.
Prokletije is best known for the Peaks of the Balkans hiking trail. Each year, the Vertical Kilometre Festival is held here in which some seriously fit people run and climb a vertical distance of 1km.
Experience the beauty of Prokletije National Park and Theth National Park on our Montenegro to Albania cross-border hiking holiday.
6. Sutjeska National Park, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Established in 1962, Sutjeska is the oldest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it’s considered the ‘Yosemite of Europe’. Within its boundaries lies one of Europe’s last primaeval forests, Perucica (pictured above), and the country’s tallest peak, Mt Maglić, at 2,386m (7,828 ft) above sea level. This is the place to come and see wildlife in BiH as it’s the most biodiverse area in the country, home to Brown Bear, Eurasian Lynx, Grey Wolf and Wild Boar, among many other species of fauna and flora.
Sutjeska is also of great historic significance to the formation of Yugoslavia as it’s where Tito’s partisan forces won the Battle of Sutjeska during the Second World War. Find out more in the village of Tjentište, where the Valley of the Heroes, one of the most iconic WW2 monuments from former Yugoslavia, lies. This is also where OK Fest, Bosnia’s biggest music festival, takes place each summer.
As for outdoor activities, choose between hiking, mountain biking and rafting in the park. The trailhead for the Via Dinarica hiking route can be found in the north of the park near Hotel Mladost and the tourist information centre.
Sutjeska National Park sits on the Bosnian border with Montenegro. It’s around 2.5 hours from Sarajevo and 2 hours, 15 minutes from Mostar.
Tag a visit to Sutjeska National Park on to the end of our week-long, multi-centre adventure holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
7. Rugova nature reserve, Kosovo
Rugova is part of the wider Prokletije National Park in Kosovo and is another breathtaking stretch of the Dinaric Alps on the northwest border with Montenegro. It boasts an impressive gorge stretching 12km and its pristine lakes and rivers are home to rare wildlife species such as the Alpine Newt.
Adrenaline junkies can climb the 450m via ferrata here as well as hiking and mountain biking. The park is also home to a spectacular cave system which you can explore. During winter, it becomes a ski resort with two ski schools there. There’s now a tourism information centre at the park’s entrance which tells you about the best things to do and see there. Equally, you can drive through and see what you find.
The city of Peja with its pretty old town is less than a 10-minute drive away. Use that as a base for your visit to Rugova or stop by on your way back.
Hike, climb and cave in Rugova on our week-long Kosovo adventure holiday.
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