Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica

11 days4.532 reviews
Walking & trekking
From
CHF  2,610

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.

Map of Hiking The Balkans: Via Dinarica including Albania, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro
Trip code: ZMXH
Start
Split, Croatia
End
Tirana, Albania
Destinations
Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Meals
10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Pension (1 night)
Days
11
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Walking & trekking
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
This trip generates 27 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

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.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Hiking The Balkans: Via Dinarica including Albania, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro

Inclusions and activities

Meals

10 breakfasts, 3 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
  • Lunch with local Bosnian family
  • 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 - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
  • Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
  • 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

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, so 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. Smaller bags with wheels can be handy, but carry straps are recommended for cobbled streets and uneven surfaces. You’ll also need a daypack/small bag for water and personal items during daytrips.

Dates and availability

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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.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 based on 32 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Cushla · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 27 Sep 2024

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Melissa · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 14 Sep 2024
Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica
From
CHF  2,610