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 self-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, non-rocky trails, this trip is for you!

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

All accommodations and bookings 

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

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

All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) included

Border Permits

Entrance Fees for National Parks

All transfers as described in the itinerary

Map

Trip packet with detailed info including packing and weather resources

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.)

Transport to the start/end of the route

Lodging before/after the trip

24-hr assistance on the trail (see our guided Balkans trail running tours for this)!

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

Passport:

Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.

Travel Insurance:

Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip. 

Room info:

Summer is high season in the Balkans and limited space in the guesthouses is first come, first served. If you are inclined to participate, book this self-guided trips ASAP as rooms will book up in advance by other vacationers and dates will become sold out. You must contact Runcation Travel about availability before booking.

Fitness/Pacing:

While there are guides to accommodate a variety of paces for attending runners, this trip requires participants to be able to run for 10-20 miles on trails at a time in mountainous/high altitude climates with an elevation gain of 3,000-5,000 feet per day. It is suggested that you be able to maintain an average pace of 15-20 minutes/mile on trails with elevation gain/loss and must be prepared to run/jog the downhill and flat sections. Training for this trip is highly recommended, and you can participate in the 12-week group training program designed specifically for this trip as a package add-on to ensure you're able to tackle the trails and get maximum enjoyment of this running retreat! 

Weather:

Although the weather in the summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.

Trip Difficulty: Level 3

https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me

Mountain Hut Experience:

This trip includes staying in guesthouses, which are similar to mountain huts. To learn more about the mountain hut experience, click below:

https://runcation.org/mountain-hut-experience

How to Arrive:

Your trail running tour begins and ends 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. 

Your trip will start Day 1 in Shkodra/Shkodër where you will meet your 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

After breakfast, you'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 

After an early breakfast you'll head out the door of your guesthouse and back up into the mountains. Don’t let yesterday’s crowds fool you as today you'll head deeper into the Balkans with the trails to yourselves. 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

JJust 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

Today is your shortest day of the trip and you'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

After a delicious breakfast, you'll head out for your last day on the trails, and one of the most beautiful. You'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

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