Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica

11 days4.636 reviews
From
USD $2,499

Explore four countries on this hiking adventure across the Dinaric Alps

Get your heart racing on an active trip across four countries, showcasing some of the best of the Western Balkans. Hike through the Dinaric Alps from Italy through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania. Watch the sunset on an evening hike in Blidinje Nature Park and spend a day exploring Sarajevo at your own pace. Take a scenic ferry trip to Koman, follow the Valbona-Theth trail and see glacial lakes as you wander through Durmitor National Park in Montenegro. With history, culture, nature and adventure combined, this is a journey 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, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 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
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
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

  • 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.
  • Embark on a scenic trail to the highest and most remote village in Bosnia – Lukomir. Here, you’ll meet the locals, learn about their way of life and share lunch, laughs, local cheese and, of course, Bosnian coffee.
  • 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 swim in the Blue Eye of Theth or Grunasi Waterfall and cool off in your scenic surrounds.
  • Explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Durmitor National Park and take in the panoramic views across glacial lakes and pine forests as you hike.
  • Take a ferry across Komani Lake. Cruise across the turquoise waters, framed by towering mountains and look for wild birds like kingfishers and grey herons.

Itinerary

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

Inclusions and activities

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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Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a hiking trip, so a good level of fitness is essential. Expect long days (up to 9 hours) and hikes of up to 20 km 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 possible turn-backs. 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. Bringing a soft duffel bag or 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.
  • 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.
  • This is a hiking trip, so a good level of fitness is essential. Expect long days (up to 9 hours) and hikes of up to 20 km 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 possible turn-backs. 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. Bringing a soft duffel bag or 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.
  • 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.

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

4.6 .   36 reviews
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Stefan · Traveled July 2025
Review submitted 19 Jul 2025
Daniel · Traveled June 2025
Review submitted 07 Jul 2025
Christian · Traveled June 2025
Review submitted 30 Jun 2025
Ryan · Traveled June 2025
Review submitted 17 Jun 2025
Cushla · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 27 Sep 2024
Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica
From
USD $2,499