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
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
In Montenegro we like to say we’re more resistant to living in crisis than the rest of the world – and I'm only half joking! For those of us who remember the 90s, this mess we're in regarding Covid-19 doesn't register on the same scale at all. There's no question, though, that social distancing has pushed us to change our routines and improvise to keep physically and mentally healthy - so to keep my spirits up I've been cycling some of Montenegro's least known trails! Being active for me is more than a desire – it's a need. Under lock-down all gyms, swimming pools and parks were closed - but people were allowed outside alone for personal exercise. So, to use an English expression, I got on my bike! After almost 50 days I've managed about 900 km and put almost 9000 metres of altitude in my legs. Not bad; it’s like I cycled Mount Everest! And yeah, I also lost 4 kilos, even though I really enjoyed delicacies from my mother’s kitchen (I also did cooking regularly!). I didn't want to be hugely visible when many people were suffering indoors in small apartments. I also wanted to respect the physical distancing required, so I chose to ride around the thinly populated hills near Podgorica (we are still limited to the municipality in which we live). I picked a route that goes very steeply up into the highlands above Bjelopavlici – less frequented, beautiful and most cyclists don’t go there because of its grade of difficulty. In total it’s not that long a route – about 50km [oh, is that all? - Ed], but there’s one segment which does test you – in 7km you climb about 680 metres. When you come to the foothills and see the pass above
In Montenegro we like to say we’re more resistant to living in crisis than the rest of the world – and I’m only half joking! For those of us who remember the 90s, this mess we’re in regarding Covid-19 doesn’t register on the same scale at all. There’s no question, though, that social distancing has
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