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Peaks of the Balkans

Trail Running

NEW for Summer 2025

 

Called Europe’s last true wilderness, the Peaks of the Balkans provides the world's newest transnational long distance trail running experience through the Western Balkans passing through Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. You’ll traverse the Bjeshkët e Nëmuna (in Albanian) or Prokletije (Serbo-Croatian) mountains, both translating to the Accursed Mountains. The route connects ancient mule, shepherd, and soldier tracks connecting remote regions and villages once separated by strict borders and filled with bunkers built over two generations ago when communist regimes controlled Yugoslavia and Albania. The concept for this route began as a symbol of peace where all three countries worked together to “protect their fragile environment, stimulate local employment, and promote sustainable visitor activities in the region.”

On this guided trail running tour we’ve included the highlights of the Peaks of the Balkans tour and included other gems not included on the map to make it the an ultimate week-long trail running experience of the top trails and routes in Albania and Montenegro. You’ll get a chance to visit the lakeside city of Shkodër, the lesser known blue-eyes (crystal clear water springs) of the region, and run point to point across the many valleys of the Balkans. Over the course of the week you’ll stay in a mixture of hotels and traditional guesthouses where you’ll refuel on some of the most local and fresh dishes, from grilled local meat with a side of vegetables from the garden, salads, tarator, byrek, cheeses, and in-house baked breads. If you’re a runner that is looking to tackle some mileage and elevation gain over the week but prefers smooth, flowy, and less rocky mountain trails, this trip is for you!

Trip Difficulty: Level 3 (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels).

 
 

 
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Overview

•Knowledgable local trail running guide to explain the important culture, history, and local flora and fauna of the region

•Discover flowing singletrack alongside rivers, swim in blue eyes (crystal clear natural springs), and stand atop a peak on the border of Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania

• Some of the most runnable mountain trails of any of our trips while you run through the Balkans passing through Albania and Montenegro

• Comfortable hotel for 1 night and comfortable scenic traditional guesthouses for 5 nights


• Enjoy fresh and local Mediterranean cuisine of the Balkans with all meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

• Baggage transport from hut-to-hut and all logistics and bookings taken care of

• Discover the lakeside city of Shkoder before running point to point through the Balkans including highlights of the Peaks of the Balkans and other local hidden gems

• Explore Europe’s wilder side on one of the newest transnational long distance routes while trail running through the Accursed Mountains


 

 

Sample Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Albania!

Day 1: Your trip will start Day 1 in Shkodra/Shkodër where you will meet the guides and then receive transfer from the lakeside city into the mountains! Along the way you’ll watch the scenery change before rolling down your windows for that fresh mountain air. You’ll arrive in time to explore the local blue eye before being welcomed at your first guesthouse in the scenic Theth Valley. For your first meal in Albania you’ll be treated to fresh local cuisine open-air underneath the mountains before catching up on sleep for the day ahead.

Communal accommodation in guesthouse with dinner included

Transfer Shkodra-Theth Included: Drive Time ~2 hours

Trail run through the Balkans and stay in guesthouses with views of spectacular mounains, like this accommodation in the Theth Valley.

DAY 2

         The Classic: Theth - Valbone

Day 2: After breakfast, we'll get an early start on one of the most popular point-to-point trail runs in the region with spectacular views over Valbona and Theth valleys. The route follows route follows the path of an ancient mule track linking the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj. From Theth (740m) you’ll climb up into old beech and birch forests before reaching a coffee bar with a view. Stop for a traditional cake, soda, or coffee before continuing your climb over the Valbona Pass (1795m) where you’ll be able to view the most southern glacier in the northern hemisphere. The descent starts off steep before smoothing out into singletrack dirt through forests and then a dried riverbed as you drop all the wall down to the to the Valbona valley (940m) in the heart of the national park. Valbona National Park covers a big area in the surrounding valley where the most famous peaks are, such as Jezerca Peak, Rosi Peak, and Kollata Peak. Enjoy a refreshment and a spectacular dinner at your guesthouse for the evening (seriously, it’s one of the best)!

Shared accommodations in communal guesthouse with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

~10.5 miles /+3,800 ft / -3,100 ft *

*Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change, but this is a good guideline

Run the best trails runs in the Balkans like the route from Theth to Valbone on our guided and self-guided running tour in the Balkans.

DAY 3

Into the Wilder Balkans

Day 3: After an early breakfast we'll head out the door of our hotel and back up into the mountains. Don’t let yesterday’s crowds fool you as today we’ll head deeper into the Balkans with the trails to ourselves. You’ll start the day with a short transfer from the guesthouse to cut out a road section before starting your climb with a view down in Cerem valley and west towards Kollata massive and Bori’s Pass. Today you’ll run from Albania into Montenegro entering a beautiful forest that opens occasionally past shepherd’s seasonal settlements. Highlights include views of the Lumi Gashit valley, which is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. Stop for a traditional blueberry cake of the Balkans or enjoy the forest fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and rasperries along the trail (especially in July and August. After your first long descent of the day into the traditional village of Doberdol, you’ll make your steepest climb of the day towards the three-border point between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro (2366 m). After enjoying the views, you’ll do some ridge running where the trail meets up with the the Via Dinarica trail before descending into a typical Montenegrin shepherd village (Montenegrin bosniak Muslim community speaking south Slavic) where you’ll spend the evening.

Shared accommodations in communal guesthouse with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

~20 miles /+4,900 ft / -3,100 ft

DAY 4

Running through Montenegro

Day 4: Just when you thought that there can’t possible be another day of spectacularly runnable ridges with scenic views for miles, you’ll find that there’s plenty more today. This stage is one of the longest sections of the entire Peaks of the Balkans trail. It starts with a shady mellow ascent climbing further and further into a forest. As the trail shoots up for the short but steepest section of the route, you’ll plateau out to a dreamy field with smooth singletrack and views of the Albanian and Montenegrin mountains in the distance. You might pass a herd of sheep or two on your descent to a small village located at the entrance of Ropojane Valley through where the trail continues towards Albania. This village is inhabited entirely by the Albanian Community known for their heart-warm hospitality (and is also a popular destination among the Montenegrin population). Take a side trip to a waterfall, blue eye spring, or relax in your comfortable cabins overlooking the valley.

Shared accommodations in communal guesthouse with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

~ 13.5 miles/+4,300 ft / -4,300 ft

Trail run the Peaks of the Balkans with spectacular ridge running and views of the mountains in all directions. Cute trail dog not included.

DAY 5

         Off the Beaten Path

Day 5: Today is our shortest day of the trip and we’ll venture to a nearby valley that wasn’t included in the Peaks of the Balkans route, but it definitely deserves to be included on this itinerary! You’ll take a short transfer from the guesthouse to an area rich in beauty and history and have the opportunity to cross the border from Montenegro to Albania which was heavily guarded for 50 years during the Communist Era.. You’ll start through a birch and beech forest before climbing to a ridge with a front and center view of massive limestone peaks. After you complete your loop, make sure you try the most refreshing lemonade you’ve ever had at the coffee shop at the base before transferring back to your guesthouse for another evening in the spectacular valley.

Shared accommodations in communal guesthouse with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

~ 6 miles/+3,700 ft / -3,700 ft

Discover hidden gems of the Balkans with some of the best trail running around.

DAY 6

Spectacular Finale

Day 6: After a delicious breakfast, we'll head out for our last day on the trails, and one of the most beautiful. We’ll pass by uncrowded blue eyes, massive limestone walls, and fields of green grass and flowers. Today you’ll cross the border again between Montenegro and Albania as you trail run through the craggiest part of the National Park Accursed Mountains. Almost the entire hike is surrounded by steep mountains with stunning views. You’ll also get a look into the region’s past when it was a forbidden zone during the Communist era. A border military post, a bunker and the border crossing pyramid marker still remain while crossing this point. Enjoy one last chance for a mid-run Balkans coffee bar stop (there’s even an espresso maker at this one) before descending down into Theth to complete your trail running week through the Balkans.

Double accommodation in hotel with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

~ 13.5 miles/+3,600 ft / -3,100 ft

Transfer Theth-Shkodra Included: Drive Time ~2 hours

DAY 7

Departure!

Day 7: Today enjoy breakfast in the hotel garden before you’re free to depart at any time you like, leaving the Balkans with tons of memories.

Breakfast included

 

this trip includes staying in traditional guesthouses, similar to mountain huts. Guesthouses include shared rooms in homes and scenic cabins with shared meals and bathrooms (towels and bedding provided). You will share a room with one to a couple people. to learn more about the mountain hut experience, visit this page.

 

What’s included

All accommodations and bookings 

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

A 8:1 ratio of expert, professional mountain guides to participants

All transfers as described in the itinerary

Baggage transport from hut-to-hut throughout the route (all you carry is a hydration pack!)

Knowledgable local mountain running guide and running coach along the entire route

All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) included

Border Permits

Entrance Fees for National Parks

Map

Trip packet with detailed info including packing and weather resources

Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community

Not included

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages 

Travel Insurance

Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)

Pick up and drop off from airport available as an add-on: Transfer Tirana/ Podgorica Airport - Shkodra

Transfer Shkodra - Tirana City available as an add-on

Who should attend?

You do not need to be an expert trail runner! However, please note, this is a LEVEL 3 trip. Runners must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary (10-20 miles) with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss (3,000-5,000 feet per day) in mountainous environments and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains. It is expected that all participants will hike the long and strenuous uphill climbs at altitude, and run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We cannot accommodate walkers or hikers on this running trip. If you’re psyched about visiting the Alps and can meet this trip requirements, you should attend!

Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!

How to Arrive

Our trail running tour begins Shkoder, Albania. The closest International Airports are Tirana, Albania (~90km away/90 minutes) or Podgorica, Montenegro (~60km/1 hour) You can arrive to Shkoder by an Intercity or International bus, renting a car, or adding transfer as a trip add-on.

Want to learn more about what it’s like to run the Balkans? We wrote a three part blog series about our scouting trip running point to point along the Peaks of the Balkans where you can learn more about the history of the route, what the trail running is like in the Accursed Mountains, and what it’s like to stay in a guesthouse in Albania and Montenegro. Learn more about it on our Instagram page, or read it on the blog below.