Original
Walking & Trekking
Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica
11 days • 4.5
4.5
Excellent
32 reviews
11 days
Start
Split, Croatia
Finish
Tirana, Albania
Trip Code
ZMXH
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Pension (1 night)
From £2,225(11 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Trek one of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges and discover the history, culture and landscapes of not one, not two, but four southern European countries – Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania.
Embark on a scenic hike to the highest and most remote village in Bosnia – Lukomir, where you’ll meet the locals, learn about their way of life and share lunch, laughs, local cheese and, of course, Bosnian coffee together.
Stay overnight in the fairytale-like Theth – one of the wonders in the Albanian Alps, declared a Protected Historic Center by the Albanian Government. Maybe you’ll swim in the Blue Eye of Theth or Grunasi Waterfall to promote muscle recovery after your walking.
Hike through Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, that will leave you awe-struck by the vistas across glacial lakes and pine forests.
Enjoy a ferry ride across Komani lake that proves that it’s just as much about the journey as the destination as you cruise across the turquoise waters framed by towering mountains that seem to plummet directly into the water below.
Is this trip right for you?
This is a hiking trip, so a good level of fitness is essential. Expect long days (up to 8-9 hours) and hikes of up to 20 kms a day, with over 1000 m of elevation gain. Be prepared for remote mountain regions and unpredictable weather.
You’ll be covering four countries, so there will be quite a bit of driving. Make sure you’re comfortable with up to 4 hours in the seat each day.
Some hikes are point-to-point with no shortcuts, or possibility to turn back. Review the descriptions carefully to ensure you’re comfortable with the time, distance, and terrain.
Pack lightly as you’ll need to carry your own bag. Although you won’t walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), aim to keep it under 15 kg / 33 lb. Bringing soft duffel bag or a backpack is essential as on certain hikes we will use mules to transport it to our next overnight stop. You’ll also need a daypack/small bag for water and personal items during daytrips.
Itinerary
Explore four countries on this hiking adventure across the Dinaric Alps
Get your heart racing on a hiking trip across four countries, showcasing the best of the Western Balkans. The Dinaric Alps stretch over 2000 km from Italy through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania – and you’ll discover some of the best bits of this breathtaking mountain range. Start in the port-side hub of Split, Croatia and head out for an evening hike in Blidinje Nature Park. Discover Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, then trek through Durmitor National Park in Montenegro, known for its glacial lakes. In Albania, stay in Theth before tackling the Valbona-Theth hike, and end the trip with a scenic ferry ride to Koman. With history, culture, nature and adventure combined, this is a journey through the Dinaric Alps you won’t want to miss.
Inclusions
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Pension (1 night)
Included activities
Blidinje Nature Park: Hajducka Vrata guided night hike
Blidinje Nature Park: guided stargazing on Cvrsnica Mountain
Bjelasnica mountains guided hike
Lukomir village visit
Durmitor National Park - Lake Trail guided hike
Prokletije Mountains guided hike: Karanfili peaks
Albanian Alps: Theth to Valbona guided hike
Fierza to Koman picturesque private boat trip
Optional activities
Split - Fish Market - Free
Split - Ivan Mestrovic Gallery - EUR12
Split - Ethnographic Museum - EUR3
Split - St Domnius Cathedral and Tower - EUR10
Split - City Museum - EUR4
Split - Gallery of Fine Arts - EUR5
Split - Archaeological Museum - EUR8
Split - Marjan Hill Hike - Free
Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM5
Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM5
Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
Durmitor National Park - Tara Canyon sunset hike - Free
Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
Tirana - Bunk'Art Gallery - ALL500
Tirana - Dajti Mountain Cable Car - ALL1000
Kruja - Ethnographic Museum - ALL300
Tirana Local Guide- half day - EUR60
Apollonia Roman Ruins Archaeological Site - ALL600
Et'hem Bey Mosque - Free
Kruja Castle - ALL500
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Important notes
1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 01 in Split.
2. This trip ends on Day 11 after breakfast in Tirana, and you are free to leave at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (31)
5 stars
19
4 stars
10
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
Abby
Sep 27, 2024
This was a sensational trip. I made some friends for life. The group, the leader, really just made this trip it for me. The hikes, despite the weather, were challenging and rewarding. Highly recommend and would do it again!
Cushla
Sep 27, 2024
Fantastic trip for avid hikers. The hike covered a range of well known hiking tracks in the Balkan region. It was well organised & included a range of transport options appropriate to the region & terrain. It had a higher physical rating requirement commensurate with the terrain covered. I would definitely recommend for fit people wanting to experience some of the more remote places in the Balkan region
Craig
Sep 12, 2024
Just returned from a most enjoyable & rewarding hike across the Balkans with a well matched group fitness wise & with excellent knowledgeable local guides - I highly recommend this trip but I do suggest that it be extended to 11 days to avoid a bit of a rush to the finish line
Phil
Aug 16, 2024
This is an absolutely fantastic trip - our guide, Tamara, was very approachable, charismatic, and knowledgeable. The organisation of the activities, meals, and transfers was seamless. The hikes are challenging but extremely rewarding, enhanced further with a range of local experiences like eating borek in Lukomir village, high up in the mountains. Our group got on really well together, making it feel like I was on holiday with an extended family! If you're looking for something off the tourist trail and want something that's going to get your heart pumping, look no further.
Louise
Jul 10, 2024
Hiking the Balkans via Dinarica is a wonderful trip. The Balkan mountains are stunningly beautiful with few other hikers on the trails. Many times we were the only people for hours at a time. The specialist local mountain guides added to the sense of wonder and understanding of each mountain area. The people in the Balkans are friendly and very funny and the food was amazing - fresh, local and tasty. It pays to have trained and be as fit as you can be to really enjoy it - the elevations are pretty tough - but we certainly had thousands of wild flowers at our feet as we pushed ourselves up to the summits!
Marien
Jun 27, 2024
This is a trip for someone wanting a good physical challenge while exploring a part of Europe that is very little travelled. Go mid-June to see plenty ok f wildflowers but be prepared for hot weather any time you go
Jonathan
Sep 18, 2023
This proved to be a very challenging and rewarding trip for those who opted to tackle every hike. The Balkans were new to most of us, and many spots (the drive through the national park in Montenegro in particular) were truly beautiful. Meals and accommodations were sometimes limited but generally sufficient, and the trout this pescatarian was served virtually every evening was exceptional.
Thomas
Sep 16, 2023
Outstanding experience that was well organized and led by a great tour leader.
Emma
Sep 12, 2023
This trip is definitely an adventure - the scenery is incredible and while the hiking can be challenging (especially in the heat) the views are always worth it. Ivan (our guide) is one of the best. If you’re looking for something a bit different put this on your list - you won’t be disappointed.
Alana
Sep 06, 2023
Hiking Via Dinarica was such a beautiful adventure - the combination of the stunning alps, the wonderful women on this tour, our extremely knowledgeable and dependable tour guide Bashkim, and the hospitality and generosity of the Balkan people has made this a trip of a lifetime. Highly recommended, and forever grateful.
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