Trekking in the Accursed Mountains: between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro

First Day

We will meet directly at the airport, where our guide will be waiting to take us to the village of Rekë and Allagës in Kosovo, through the spectacular Rugova Gorge. We will be guests of several families who live here only during the summer months to graze their herds. Together, these families have created the Slow Food Dukagjini convivium: united by their love of "good, clean and fair" food from their own territory, they organize local events and activities, from simple dinners and tastings to share authentic flavors. In this part of the world, meals are usually an important event and include fresh salads, homemade bread, burek or other desserts, served with cheese and local raki (homemade brandy). Tonight we will stay at a guesthouse belonging to one of these families.

Second Day

The wonders of the Rugova Valley
Our first day is dedicated to discovering the Rugova Valley: we will takea guided hike through the pine forests and meadows of Mount Hajla. The route is not difficult and winds along the paths that lead to the summit of Hajla at 2403 m: if we feel up to it, we can reach the top, enjoying the coolness of the woods and the view of the Albanian Alps. The trail continues towards Drelaj, passing through the villages of Pepaj and Malaj. During the trek, we will be able to admire the rich flora and fauna and spectacular views typical of the Dinaric Alps. After our trek, we will prepare for a typical Balkan dinner and spend the night in a guesthouse in the village of Drelaj.

Third day

Trekking on the Gypsy Trail
This morning we set off on another wonderful excursion in the Albanian Alps: we take a path through dense woods that suddenly opens out onto two crystal-clear mountain lakes in Kuqishtë, the kingdom of the Alpine newt. From here, we will climb up to the Jelenk Pass ( 2,272 m), the highest point. The trail (calledthe"Gypsy Trail") winds along the border between Kosovo and Montenegro, on a ridge with a 360° view of the mountain ranges. We complete our journey with a gentle descent towards the Bivoliak Valley, ending in Babino Polje, Montenegro. From here, we will make a short transfer to the village of Vuthaj, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Fourth day

Dolomite landscapes between Montenegro and Albania
We start from the beautiful Grbaja Valley, where suddenly it feels like we have been catapulted into the Dolomites: gray rock slopes and wide green pastures welcome us to this new stage of the Peaks of the Balkans trek. The trail leads to Maja Cem (1,879 m) in about two and a half hours, first crossing a beautiful forest and then reaching open pastures, from where you can admire Vajusha and Popadija, both just over 2,000 meters high. From the meadows, we prepare for the final climb to the summit. The view of all the surrounding mountains is magnificent and encompasses most of the Kelmendi region of the Albanian Alps. From the top of the ridge, a steep descent takes us back to the shaded forest trail. Transfer and overnight stay in Vuthaj.

Fifth day

The Alpine Valley of Runice
Today's excursion is one of the most beautiful treks in the Maledette Mountains that we will do this week in terms of nature, landscape, and wildlife. The itinerary crosses various types of terrain and vegetation, following an ancient communication route that connects Montenegro with Albania. The real highlight of the day is the Runice Valley, surrounded by the gray peaks and slopes of the Albanian Alps. We follow our path, then make a spectacular descent from Qafa and Pejës to the village of Theth on an old military road. Tonight we deserve a good night's sleep in a guesthouse in Thethi.

Sixth day

Trekking from Theth to the ValbonaValley
A new day of trekking in Albania! Today we have a beautiful hike from Thethi to the Valbona Valley, following the river of the same name from above. We will pass through the Valbona Pass at 1759 m, from where we can admire a spectacular view of all the mountain ranges in this section of the Dinaric Alps. Today's trek in the Accursed Mountains ends with the descent to the Valbona Valley, where a short transfer from Rragam to the village of Valbona awaits us. After today's beautiful walk, we can relax with dinner and overnight stay at our guesthouse in Valbona.

Seventh day

The wildest Maledette Mountains and the pastures of Dobërdoll
We start with a transfer from Valbona to Çerem Pass: today we will enjoy one of the most unique and typical experiences of these areas! From here we will begin a hike in the wildest part of the entire itinerary, which crosses the border between Montenegro and Albania several times. Along the way we will encounter wild nature, magnificent forests of spruce and pine trees, and remote villages. The day ends in the pastures of Dobërdoll (1780 m), a shepherds' village of 12 different families that can only be reached by mule tracks and is inhabited only by shepherds in summer. It will feel like a real journey back in time: with stories around the fire, local food, and overnight stays in shepherds' huts, this will be one of the most unforgettable typical Balkan experiences we will have!

Eighth day

Excursion between the Three Borders and visit to Dečani Monastery
A final splendid excursion between Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo! We are in the heart of the Accursed Mountains: from Dobërdol we set off on a beautiful excursion to reach the Trekufini (Three Borders) peak, at 2,365 m. From here we set off on a long walk through the valley covered with blueberry fields, passing through the small village of Dobrosh. The hike ends at Zalli i Rupës (1,522 m), where our transfer will be waiting to take us to visit the Dečani monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 14th century, which contains the largest gallery of medieval frescoes. From here, we will complete this week's excursion by reaching Pejë/Peć, a beautiful Kosovar town at the foot of the mountains. Last dinner together and overnight stay in the city.

Ninth day

Last wake-up call in Pejë/Peć. Today we can sleep a little longer and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this Kosovar town at the foot of the Albanian Alps. This week has been intense, not only because of the beautiful excursions in the Accursed Mountains, but also because of our encounters with ancient and diverse communities and cultures, all united by their warm welcome. We were able to admire the wild beauty of the Albanian Alps as we crossed state borders several times, realizing that, in the end, there are no real borders.
This week of trekking along the Peaks of the Balkans flew by. See you next time!