BEST OF THE SOUTHERN VIA DINARICA HIKING TOUR OVERVIEW
The Via Dinarica is an epic trail of almost 2000 km long, running through seven countries.
In 2014 Outside magazine named it the Best New Trail, and in 2017 National Geographic Traveler‘s included it in their “Best of the World” list of destinations and has said it’s poised to become one of the world’s top trekking destinations.
On our 10-day Best of the Southern Via Dinarica Tour, you’ll hike along the backbone of the Dinaric Alps in some of the most scenic sections in Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. On many days you’ll reach elevations of over 2000 m.
You’ll be hiking on a connected network of old shepherd paths, previously used war routes, and both new and old trails. The path leads you past imposing limestone karst formations, striking mountains, valleys where you’ll see shepherds tending their sheep, lush forests, and sparking Alpine lakes.
Located between Asia and Western Europe, the Balkans have had an often turbulent history. Today, politics have been replaced with cooperation to create one of the best multi-country treks on the planet in a sustainable way creating new opportunities for locals.
We offer this tour as private guided since many of the routes aren’t well marked. We also offer luggage transfer by horse and 4×4 to help make the challenging climbs easier. If you’re seeking a challenging trek and off-the-beaten-path adventure with stunning scenery, just like the Tour du Mont Blanc, you’ll love the Via Dinarica.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR BEST OF THE SOUTHERN VIA DINARICA HIKING TOUR
✔ Trek an epic trail that National Geographic says is poised to become one of the world’s top trekking destinations.
✔ Hike some of the most scenic parts of the southern trail in Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania
✔ Experience three different cultures
✔ Enjoy traditional shepherd hospitality in guesthouses
✔ Experience this still off-the-beaten-track before it becomes better known and a more popular hiking destination
CLIENT REVIEWS OF OUR VIA DINARICA HIKING TOUR
BEST OF THE SOUTHERN VIA DINARICA HIKING TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive at Podgorica Airport – Vusanje Village (Montenegro)
Arrive at Podgorica Airport in Montenegro where we’ll pick you up and transfer you to the village of Vusanje (population 658) in preparation for our hike tomorrow. The transfer is ~ 2:30 hours.
- Meals included: Dinner
- Accommodation: Guesthouse in Vusanje, Montenegro
Day 2: Hike from Vusanje – Bor Peak – Plav (Montenegro)
Today we’ll start hiking from the village of Vusanje to the town of Plav in Montenegro. Your guide will lead you through a path of blueberry fields where you’ll get amazing views of Zla Kolata, the highest mountain in Montenegro.
After a short break, we’ll start the climb to Bor Peak (2100 m). From this peak, you’ll get an expansive view of Gusinje Valley, Plav and a preview of the mountains in Kosovo and Albania where you’ll be hiking in the upcoming days. You’ll even get a view of Mount Gjeravica, the highest mountain of Kosovo.
From Bo Peak, we’ll take a trail through a forest of beech trees and then down through until we reach the city of Plav (population: 3717).
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hiking Details: 12 km, Ascent: 1040 m, Descent: 500 m, Max Elevation: 2100 m 6 hours
- Luggage transport: by car
- Accommodation: Hotel in Plav, Montenegro
Day 3: Hike from Plav – Hrid Lake – Babino Polje, Montenegro
Today’s hike is one of the longest on our Via Dinarica Tour (~22 km). But we’ll be sure to take time to relax or even go for a refreshing swim in the glacial lake of Hrid. Then we’ll continue on to the village of Babino Polje, passing through an old forest and small villages which are only inhabited in summer.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hiking Details: 22 km, Ascent: 1200 m, Descent: 600 m Max Elevation: 2100 m, 7.5 hours
- Luggage transport: by car
- Overnight: Guesthouse, Babino Polje, Montenegro
Day 4: Hike from Babino Polje, Montenegro – Milisevac in Kosovo
We start our hike today from the guesthouse in Babino Polje, walk through the village following a gravel road. We’ll hike through the last villages of Montenegro before climbing up towards the border with Kosovo. From there we will go down to the alpine huts in Milisevac where we will spend the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hiking Details: 15 km, Ascent: 580 m, Descent: 303 m, Max Elevation: 2080 m, 7 hours
- Overnight: Mountain Hut, Milisevac, Kosovo
Day 5: Hike from Milisevac – Beleg, Kosovo
From Milisevac we head to the alpine pastures of Beleg passing through the alpine village of Prilep. The trail up to Prilep huts is fairly easy and hiking a few sections abandoned gravel roads.
In Prilep, we’ll stop for a coffee break. This is another place, totally off the beaten track from other fellow travellers hiking the Via Dinarica Trail. After we’ve recharged in Prilep, we’ll head to Beleg huts where our hike ends.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hiking Details: 12.8 km, Ascent: 370 m, Descent: 100 m, Max Elevation: 2050 m, 7 hours
- Luggage transport: by 4×4
- Overnight: Guesthouse in Beleg, Kosovo
Day 6: Hike from Beleg, Kosovo – Doberdol, Albania
Today we’ll hike along the border between Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania. A highlight to today’s hike is climbing to the meeting point of the three borders and enjoying the amazing panorama of all three countries. After we’ve revelled in the moment, and snapped photos we’ll descend to the alpine pastures of Doberdol. Here you’ll meet a local from the village and learn about the shepherds and their sheep – a century-old tradition in the area.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hiking Details: 10 km, Ascent: 350 m, Descent: 600 m, Max Elevation: 2300 m, 6 hours
- Luggage transport: by horse
- Overnight: Mountain hut, Doberdol, Albania
Day 7: Hike from Doberdol – Çerem – Valbona, Albania
Today’s hike takes walk us further into Albania as we hike along the border with Montenegro.
Here we’ll have the chance to take a few photos of the old border stones that stand there as a reminiscence of the communist period, isolating Albania from the international community.
After hiking for ~ 5 hours we’ll reach the village of Çerem where your efforts will be rewarded with a nice lunch that we’ve organized. Next, we’ll use local transportation to drive us to the village of Valbona known as one of the most beautiful places in Northern Albania.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hiking Details: 14 km, Ascent: 350 m, Descent: 850 m, Max Elevation 2050 m, 5 hours
- Luggage transport: by horse
- Overnight: Hotel, Valbona, Albania
Day 8. Hike from Valbona – Theth, Albania
Today we’ll begin our hike through the riverbed, then follow the trail which goes through the village of Rragam and Valbona Springs. It will take us ~2-3 hours to reach either the summit or Valbona Pass (1815 m) depending on the ability of the group.
From there the panorama unveils both the Valbona and Theth Valleys. It’s absolutely breathtaking. Next, your efforts will be rewarded with a picnic lunch about 1 km from the pass.
At the place called “Krojnat”, we can treat ourselves to a Turkish coffee or refreshment. In the afternoon we’ll reach the village of Theth where we’ll spend the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Hiking Details: 10 km, Ascent: 1050 m, Descent: 950 m, Max Elevation: 1800 m, 7 hours
- Luggage transport: by horse
- Overnight: Guesthouse, Theth, Albania
Day 9: Hike around Theth Village, Then Drive to Tirana, Albania
Our hike today takes us to some of the best natural attractions of Theth village, such as the Blue Eye, a natural pool of turquoise water fed from the Black River. If you’re feeling brave, cool of with a swim in the cold lake.
On the way back we’ve arranged local 4×4 transportation to take us back to Theth. Next, after we’ve prepared our luggage, we’ll drive for ~ 3 hours to the Albanian capital city of Tirana.
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
- Hiking Details: 14 km, Ascent: 500 m, Descent: 300 m, Max Elevation: 800 m, 7 hours
- Overnight: Hotel, Tirana, Albania
Day 10. Depart From Tirana
You’ve done it! You’ve completed the Best of the Southern Via Dinaria Tour. You’ve got free time to explore Tirana before heading to the airport for your flight.
- Meals: Breakfast
GETTING TO PODGORICA IN MONTENEGRO
You’ll fly into/out from Podgorica (the capital city of Montenegro). From Washington DC the average flight time is just over 11 hours. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flights.
INCLUSIONS TO BEST OF THE SOUTHERN VIA DINARICA HIKING TOUR
Payment Information
- 2 people – €2289 pp
- 3 – 4 pax – €1789 pp
- 5 – 6 pax – €1479-pp
- 7 – 10 pax – €1389 pp
Prices are based on double or triple accommodation if you want a private room (only possible on Days 7 and 9 (Valbona and Tirana), the cost is an additional €110 per person.
30% is due when you book. Your remaining balance is due 35 days in advance.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✔ Accommodation for 9 nights (3 nights in hotels, 4 nights in guesthouses (some are in shared rooms) and 2 nights in a mountain hut with 3-10 beds in each room, depending on the hut). Accommodations are very simple as that’s all that’s available.
✔ Transport and transfers
✔ Luggage transportation by horse and 4×4
✔ Local transport
✔ Private English-speaking guide for 10 days
✔9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
✔ Border Crossing assistance from our local partner
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Meals not mentioned in the Inclusions
- Travel insurance that covers you for this tour and includes pandemic, emergency evacuation and hospital care in the unlikely incident that you get injured. HeyMondo insurance covers this, which is why we recommend it. Plus, you’ll get a 5% discount for being a Monkeys and Mountains reader.
- Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions
BOOK YOUR BEST OF THE SOUTHERN VIA DINARICA HIKING TOUR NOW
Thank you for your interest in booking this tour. You’ve made a good choice. Our Best of the southern via Dinarica hiking tour is absolutely stunning as you can hike and travel in three different countries.
Please contact us to book this tour. Let us know what date you’d like to start, how many people and we’ll start the booking process.
PHOTOS OF HIKING THE BEST OF THE VIA DINARICA IN MONTENEGRO, KOSOVO AND ALBANIA
