Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica

10 Days | Explore four countries on this hiking adventure across the Dinaric Alps

4.8 out of 5 based on 16 reviews submitted.
Walking & Trekking
From
EUR 2.415 €
View dates and book

Get your heart racing on this hiking trip that spans four countries and highlights some of the most incredible scenery across the Western Balkans. The Dinaric Alps stretch some 2,000 kilometres across Italy, through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, to the south-eastern part of Albania. You’ll discover some of the best bits of this breathtaking mountain range. Start out in the sun-kissed port-side hub of Split in Croatia. Then, pull on your walking shoes for an evening hike through Blidinje Nature Park, watch on as wild horses gallop through the countryside near Cincar Mountain and explore the fascinating city of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You'll hike through Durmitor National Park and admire its glacial lakes and never-ending pine forests in Montenegro. And finally, take on the Valbona-Theth hiking trail in the Albanian Alps with a scenic mountain-framed ferry ride like no other to end your trip. With history, culture, nature and a little adventure all wrapped up into one epic trip – we think it’s time you join us on this hiking journey through the Dinaric Alps.

Trip overview

Map of Hiking The Balkans: Via Dinarica including Albania, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro
Start
Split, Croatia
Finish
Tirana, Albania
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Destinations
Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania
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
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMXH
This trip generates 19.41 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
  • Hike 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.
  • Watch herds of wild horses galloping freely with majestic peaks behind them and rugged mountain terrain beneath them in the countryside near Cincar Mountain.
  • 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.
  • Hike through Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, that will leave you awe-struck by the vistas across countless glacial lakes and never-ending 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 plumet directly into the water below.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Humana Zagreb. Donations help provide job opportunities and education programs in sustainable fashion and textiles for people with disabilities. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is a hiking trip so a moderate level of fitness is a must. The treks are very rewarding but your days will be long (up to 8-9 hours) and you will be hiking up to 18 kilometres a day, with an elevation gain of over 1,000 metres. Please keep in mind, this trip visits remote mountain regions and we may encounter unpredictable weather.
  • This trip covers 4 countries, so there is a fair amount of driving involved. We’ve planned it well, but make sure you are comfortable with spending up to 4 hours in the seat on any given day.
  • On day 2 you will hike at night for a special stargazing activity. You must bring a good headlamp with you including spare batteries.
  • On day 8 we will hike across Accursed mountains on a trail from Teth to Valbone. This hike is approximately 15km long with 850 metres elevation gain and may take up to 7 hours to complete. This is a point-to-point hiking without possibility of shortening it. We will also have no access to transport, so you are required to hike entire distance on that day.
  • Some of the hikes are point-to-point, without possibility of shortening them. Please read descriptions of hikes carefully to make sure you are comfortable with time, distance and terrain.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Itinerary

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

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

Activities
  • Blidinje Nature Park: Hajducka Vrata guided night hike
  • Blidinje Nature Park: guided stargazing on Cvrsnica Mountain
  • Blidinje Nature Park - hiking with wild horses
  • 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
Add on 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 - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
  • Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
  • Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
  • Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
  • Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
  • Tirana - Bunk'Art Gallery - ALL500
  • Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
  • Tirana - Dajti Mountain Cable Car - ALL1000
  • Et'hem Bey Mosque - Free
  • Tirana Local Guide- half day - EUR60
  • Apollonia Roman Ruins Archaeological Site - ALL600
  • Kruja Castle - ALL500
  • Kruja - Ethnographic Museum - ALL300

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 01 in Split.
2. This trip ends on Day 10 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 and excludes day 8. 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

4.8 out of 5 based on 16 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.

Filter by rating

Thomas · Traveled September 2023
Outstanding experience that was well organized and led by a great tour leader.
Review submitted 16 Sep 2023

Jonathan · Traveled September 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.
Review submitted 18 Sep 2023

Hee-ok · Traveled August 2023
Hiking trails were better than I expected in challenge wise. I came after hiking of 119km and over 4500m elevation over 5 day period before coming for this trip. Dispite some adjustment at the end the trip, my friends will love the trails we've done.
Review submitted 02 Sep 2023

Emma · Traveled August 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.
Review submitted 12 Sep 2023

Alana · Traveled August 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.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2023
Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica
From
EUR 2.415 €