7 Day Montenegro to Albania Hiking Holiday

“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-October

Some of the most spectacular, untouched mountain landscapes in Europe are to be found on this extraordinary cross-border hiking journey following parts of the renowned Peaks of the Balkans trail. Designed for experienced hikers, our program combines two grandiose mountain chains – Komovi and Prokletije – and two amazing countries – Montenegro and Albania – to form one unforgettable adventure hiking the southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps. You will encounter settlements almost untouched by the modern world, local lifestyles, the traditional cuisines of Montenegro and Albania and as many stories about their shared Illyrian history as you could ask for!

Some background: the Dinaric Alps are one of Europe’s best-kept secrets when it comes to mountain ranges. They have huge appeal for the intrepid explorer! Our itinerary covers part of the famous ‘Via Dinarica’ hiking trail, starting at Komovi, the third highest mountain massif in Montenegro, and moving to the cross-border ‘Peaks of the Balkans’ national parks of Prokletije, Theth and Valbona. Click on the itinerary tab to see the full details.

Highlights

Hike iconic sections of the Peaks of the Balkans trail
Summit Vasojevički Kom and explore Prokletije’s dramatic ridges, all above 2,000m
Cross the Montenegro-Albania border on foot on a remote mountain trail
Experience the famous Theth-to-Valbona trail in Albania
Take a scenic ferry ride through Komani Lake’s stunning canyons
Stay in locally-run traditional guesthouses and eco-lodges for an authentic experience

Is This Trip for You?

This holiday is ideal for fit and experienced hikers who love exploring remote and rugged landscapes and prefer to do so with the support of a knowledgable, experienced local guide. With small group sizes, you’ll enjoy a personalised experience on trails ranging from moderate to challenging. Click here to learn more about our activity levels.

You’ll carry a rucksack for point-to-point hikes, while support vehicles or horses are on hand to handle heavier luggage if needed. Accommodation in remote areas is in basic, but clean and comfortable wooden cabins and guesthouses, and may, on occasion require a shared bathroom.

Got kids? While our minimum age for this trip is 14, if you have younger children who love to hike, take a look at our Family Peaks of the Balkans trip.

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. 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!

Read what our adventurers have to say

Emma hesketh15/07/24
				Accursed Mountain Trek From first contact with Ben back in October last year, right the way to the end of our trip, communication, organisation and support was fantastic. We were a group of 11, so Ben worked out a bespoke trip for us across the Accursed Mountains from Montenegro to Albania.



Our first guide Dino was a wonderful young man, dedicated to showing us his beautiful country Montenegro and Albania. He was great fun, knowledgeable and supportive. He got us down from the mountains safely when a bad storm came in (hail,wind,rain,lightening) and then put an alternative activity in place for us to enjoy. Our second guide Pav was also very knowledgeable about his country and the mountains. A special thank you for taking us to the wonderful wine estate after our trek finished, it was definitely on a par with any wine estate I have visited in other countries, especially South Africa!



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 extremely basic to fabulous and the food was wonderful (never seen so much food!). The hospitality of the people of both countries was superb. We had a marriage proposal within our group, in the evening the restaurant we went to even managed to find champagne and presented the couple with a crocheted heart!



Our group had a fantastic time and would definitely recommend trekking with Ben and his team .
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Ros G15/07/24
				Fantastic trek through stunning countryside, accompanied by amazing food!! We are a group of 11 friends who all share a love of the mountains. We booked a private 5 day trek covering Montenegro and Albania and it was just an amazing experience. Our first stop was a little primitive and the food very basic, but the welcome we got from our host just couldn't be faulted. Every stop after that, the accommodation got better and better and the food got more and more delicious and was served in gigantic portions, We all expected to maybe lose a little weight with the kms we were putting in, but that was never going to happen with all the food we were putting away!! Our first guide was Dino and the night before we set off from our first point I think he was a little concerned about the volume of beer being consumed. However when we were all there bright and early for the start of the first leg I think he realised we were an OK bunch who knew what they were doing and we in turn loved him. For a guy so young he was very knowledgeable and he was always anxious to make sure we all stayed together throughout the dangerous sections of the routes. Pavi was our second guide for the Albanian leg of the trek and he was equally knowledgeable. Not only that, everyone in Albania seemed to know him and kept sending him drinks (raki) across. He was kind enough to share this raki with those in the group who had the bottle to drink it!!! At breakfas too! All in all we had a fabulous time on our trek and I for one was diappointed when it was over and we had to descend to the coast for the 4 days R&R which we'd tagged on to the end of our holiday. I'd have preferred another 2 or 3 days trekking!! Cant recommend them enough. Great communication throughout as well, via the Whatsapp group chat which they set up
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Mark O'Sullivan25/10/23
				We were  signed up to the Montenegro to Albania 7 day holiday. Our guide, Semir was fantastic. He tailored the walks to the needs of the group as our holiday progressed. He also felt a part of our group by the end of the week. Very knowledgeable about the areas we were visiting/passing through and took us to fantastic spots of the beaten track that we would have otherwise have passed by in complete ignorance! Our final day was spent in a farmhouse/restaurant/vineyard in Albania culminating in the best value meal we have ever had., bar none........ Get yourself to Mirzi i Zinave if you can! Already considering our return next year to continue the exploration of these fantastic destinations.
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Mark O25/10/23
				Montenegro- Albania Hiking We were signed up to the Montenegro to Albania 7 day holiday. Our guide, Semir was fantastic. He tailored the walks to the needs of the group as our holiday progressed. He also felt a part of our group by the end of the week. Very knowledgeable about the areas we were visiting/passing through and took us to fantastic spots of the beaten track that we would have otherwise have passed by in complete ignorance! Our final day was spent in a farmhouse/restaurant/vineyard in Albania culminating in the best value meal we have ever had., bar none........ Get yourself to Mirzi i Zinave if you can! Already considering our return next year to continue the exploration of these fantastic destinations.
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Phil Walton03/07/23
				We had a great week in Albania starting in the wonderful mountains of Theth before trekking on to Valbone, kayaking on the lake at Shkoda and three wonderful days in Berat enjoying rafting, hiking and sightseeing. Our guide Arben was superb throughout organising everything and ensuring that we had the best experience of this amazing country. Highly recommended.
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Want to see more? Watch our video!

Day 1 – Arrival
After landing in Montenegro, we’ll travel directly to Kolašin for a group dinner and to prepare for the trip ahead. Overnight at a local guesthouse in Kolašin.

Day 2 – Vasojevički Kom
Vasojevički Kom is one of the most spectacular peaks in the whole of Montenegro. Even though the trail is quite steep, up to 2,461m above sea level, there are no technically demanding parts and the ascent normally takes about 3 hours. However, you’ll be too delighted with the views to even think about these details! From the summit, you’ll see more than half of Montenegro and its stunning mountains and valleys, as well as a part of Kosovo and Albania’s beautiful landscapes. After the hike, we will drive to directly to the Prokletije, where we will be based for the next three nights. Overnight at Eko Katun Rosi, a terrific location experienced in catering for hikers and nature lovers. Hike details: 11km, 760m ascent. Grade: moderate/challenging.

Day 3 – Prokletije – 3 Peaks in One Tour
“Prokletije” literally translated means “cursed mountains” – a remote and wondrous location. 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). From here you also have the best view of the rest of the mountain – the frightening peaks of Karanfil, Ocnjak, Maja Rosit… even the new highest peak of Montenegro – Zla Kolata!
Overnight at Eko Katun Rosi. Hiking details: 9km, 1,000m ascent. Grade: moderate/challenging.

Day 4 – Free Day
Time for resting and enjoying the beautiful nature of Grebaja Valley. We’ll also visit some local cultural sights – the tower (museum) of the Redzepagić family from the 15th century and the last mosque that the Ottomans built in the Balkans (1912). Recharge your batteries and save some energy for the next two days in the Prokletije Mountains! Overnight at Eko Katun Rosi.

Day 5 – Crossing the Border – Ropojana to Theth
Be ready for a very special day – this tour is definitely one of the top walking tours 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 Polia Guesthouse, Theth (or similar). Hiking details: 17-23km (depending on the last section!), ascent 500m. Grade: moderate.

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 the two Albanian National Parks. With trusty horses 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. Coming down to Valbona Valley, you’ll see that despite the differences in landscape, there’s always one constant – the traditional, natural hospitality of the Albanian people. Overnight at Kol Gjoni Hotel, Valbona (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 Firza by bus. There we’ll take a 2-hour ferry trip on Komani Lake. You’ll really enjoy travelling through the beautiful canyons before the second half of our bus ride to Shkoder, which lends its name to the huge lake on whose shores it sits. Shkoder is always inspiring. Its long and turbulent history is visible on every step in this simple, but very beautiful city. After a walk through the city centre and delicious seafood in the best fish restaurant in Northern Albania, we’ll finish our day in the traditional luxury of the Tradita Hotel, a gorgeous house dating back to the 16th century, and which is a “must-do” for all visitors passing through!

Day 8 – Return to Podgorica

Prices include all accommodation, transfers, 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 hiking holiday	n/a	£1,245pp	£1,295pp

Book by March 15th for a £100pp discount on all dates – quote discount code UBSPRING100!

Travelling solo and want your own room? Single supplement: £140

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.

ECO KATUN ROSI, GREBAJE