7 Day Family Hiking: Peaks of the Balkans

Multi-centre

Locations

Challenging

Activity Level

Age: 7+

Minimum Age

NEW FOR 2025 – 7 Day Family Hiking Holiday: Montenegro and Albania

“From first contact right to the end of our trip, communication, organisation and support was fantastic…the Accursed mountains are some of the most stunning we have had the pleasure of hiking across the world, and would recommend to anyone wishing to go somewhere a little different to the usual European summits. Accommodation went from basic to fabulous and the food was wonderful…our group had a fantastic time and would definitely recommend trekking with Ben and his team .” Emma Hesketh, June 2024

2025 departure dates: any Sunday, June, July & August

Some of Europe’s most spectacular, untouched landscapes are to be found on the iconic Peaks of the Balkans trail linking Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania. What you might not know is that, with a little adaptation, we can also offer a taste of this amazing cross-border trek for family hiking groups, and even for younger children as long as they have hiking experience. Encounter jaw-dropping views, settlements almost untouched by the modern world, local lifestyles, traditional cuisine and as many stories of shared Illyrian history as you could ask for. There’s also the occasional secret wild swimming spot to sweeten the deal…

Some background: the Dinaric Alps are one of Europe’s best-kept secrets when it comes to mountain ranges. Our itinerary covers sections of the famous ‘Peaks of the Balkans’ trail, through the national parks of Prokletije, Theth and Valbonë, with an additional unique trip to spend time with the mountain shepherds in Lëpushë. Our Tour Leaders are specially chosen with one requirement of particular importance – they are all experienced with children, and know how to encourage junior hikers even when the going gets a little tough!

NB – our recommended minimum age for this holiday is 7 – but we can make exceptions for exceptional kids! Please don’t hesitate to check with us if you think your kids fall into this category! Click here to read more about our activity levels.

Book to Give Back – every booking sparks a donation to our chosen local environmental and community causes!

All transport, accommodation and most meals are included, as well as a 24/7 qualified guide. Please also note that part of the program is created for hiking from spot to spot so it’s very important to pack your rucksacks in an optimal way – no suitcases! We will not carry all luggage by ourselves – support vehicles and, on occasion, mules can be used – sometimes even for children! Airport transfers excluded unless from Podgorica.

Your Tour Leaders: Aurora is a native of Shkoder in North Albania who has over twenty years of experience guiding guests around her favourite places in the region. A qualified biologist, she is actively involved in many different wildlife conservation efforts and intimately knows the mountains of the Prokletije in both Albania and Montenegro. She speaks superb English, as well as her native Albanian.

Dino is swiftly forging a reputation as one of Montenegro’s best – and busiest – Peaks of the Balkans hiking guides. A native of Gusinje, there’s almost no patch of this famous trail that he doesn’t know blindfolded – and he currently holds the record for having guided the youngest person to have walked from Gusinje to Valbona – the amazing Kit in August 2024!

Day 1 – Arrival
After landing in Montenegro, we’ll travel directly to Lëpushë, just over the border into Albania, swimming in a lovely natural river pool en-route! Overnight at Bujtina Lëpushë or similar

Day 2 – Shepherd’s trails in Lëpushë
A unique chance to explore the beautiful surrounding areas of Lepushë together with your local guide, Fonsi. He will take you off the beaten track and give you a shepherd’s insight into the landscape. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to meet other local shepherds in their summer encampments (“stans”), drink coffee with them, try their exceptional dairy products and get an authentic glimpse into their way of living. Overnight at Bujtina Lëpushë or similar. Hiking details: 7km, no ascent. Grade: easy.

There is also the option to travel on horseback for an additional fee of €50 (per person/per horse).

Day 3 – Prokletije – 3 Peaks in One Tour
“Prokletije” literally translated means “accursed mountains” – a remote and wondrous location that nevertheless can provide fun for young hikers of all sizes! According to local legend, the Prokletije allows only the chosen ones – experienced and brave alpinists, to reach its peaks – but the mountain also left some easier trails for those who don’t want to risk quite that much but still want to see and feel all the beauty of its rocky kingdom. Our trail connects three moderate summits – Volušnica (1,859m), Talijanka (2,056m) and Popadija (2,057m) and is one of the most photogenic and beautiful hikes Montenegro has to offer. Look out for wild blueberries on the way! Overnight at Eko Katun Rosi or similar. Hiking details: 9km, 1,000m ascent. Grade: moderate/challenging.

Day 4 – Crossing the Border – Ropojana to Theth
Be ready for a very special day as we complete one of the top treks in the whole of the Balkans! We’ll be surrounded by the astonishing peaks of the Prokletije Mountains, passing through beautiful valleys and forests. The first section is more or less flat or ascending, but when we hit Qafa e Pejes, the highest point of this trail, we’ll descend for the rest of our walk, staring at the beautiful valley of Theth and surrounding peaks. At the entrance of the valley, we’ll stop at a local café to have some fresh drinks and to decide whether to continue to our lodgings by foot or 4×4. Overnight at Marash Rrgalla Guesthouse, Theth (or similar). Hiking details: 17-23km (depending on the last section), ascent 500m. Grade: moderate.

Day 5 – Blue Eye and Nderlyse pools
After two quite demanding days, a gentler one! After a 20 minute 4×4 ride, we will walk 90 minutes to the justly renowned “Blue Eye Syri i Kaltër” of Theth National Park, a stunning turquoise fresh-water pool that will have you just begging to dive in (but be warned, the water is less than 10C!). On the way back to our start point, we pass the rocky streams of the Zi river, which converge at a lovely spot where you can leap in and out of refreshing rock pools (add another 5-10 celsius to the water temperature, it’s wonderfully refreshing). Overnight back at Marash Rrgalla Guesthouse or similar. Hiking details: 5km. No ascent. Grade: easy

Day 6 – Theth to Valbona
This is a justly famous hike, with the scenery-o-meter ramped up to “staggering”. Even though the two places are really close – divided only by one ridge of the Prokletije – travelling by car takes about 8 hours, literally the same time that it takes to walk between these two Albanian National Parks. With trusty mules carrying our bags, the trail goes steeply up from Theth to the pass, giving us stunning views of the valley and surrounding high rocky walls. From this point we’ll have about 2.5 hours of descent, enjoying the pure natural beauty and shaded forest. Coming down to Valbona Valley, you’ll see that despite the differences in landscape, there’s always one constant – the traditional hospitality of the Albanian people. Overnight at Kol Gjoni Hotel (or similar). Hiking details: 17-20km depending on the group, ascent 1000m. Grade: moderate/challenging.

Day 7 – Komani Lake to Shkoder
The active part of the tour is completed but it’s not the end of our adventure! Our journey will start with a 1.5-hour long journey from Valbona to Fierzë by bus. There we’ll take a 2-hour ferry trip on Komani Lake. It will feel like a cruise travelling through the impossibly beautiful canyons before the second half of our bus ride to Shkoder. This charming North Albanian city lends its name to the huge lake on whose shores it sits. Shkoder is always inspiring; its long and turbulent history visible at every step. After a walking tour through the city centre with the chance to buy local souvenirs such as handcrafted fabrics, we’ll finish our day in the traditional luxury of the Tradita Hotel, a gorgeous Ottoman-era house dating back to the 16th century, complete with ethnographic museum and friendly cats.

Day 8 – Return to Podgorica airport

Prices include all accommodation, transfers, most meals and guided excursions. Transfers to/from Podgorica Airport are included, other locations would be at extra charge.

Maximum Group size of 8. Minimum Group size of 3.

HOLIDAY	MAY/OCT	JUNE/SEP	JULY/AUG
MNE-ALB family hiking holiday	n/a	n/a	£1,195pp

Please note, accommodation is clean, characterful and basic – in such remote areas, do not expect luxury! If for any reason the first choice accommodation is not available, we will let you know about the alternatives well in advance of your holiday.

BUJTINA LËPUSHË, LËPUSHË