A guidebook to the Peaks of the Balkans Trail, a circular route through the wild and rugged borderlands of Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. The 192km trail winds its way through the spectacular scenery of the Prokletije Mountains (the southernmost range of the Dinaric Alps), taking in high passes, sweeping valleys and striking limestone peaks. It can be completed in around two weeks: the walking itself is not difficult though the route passes through some remote areas and demands a moderate level of fitness.
The guide presents the trail in 10 daily stages and also includes suggestions for excursions to bag neighbouring peaks and visit local sites of interest. Comprehensive route description is accompanied by mapping and colour photos.
Welcoming guesthouses and homestays offer accommodation and delicious local cuisine on route, though camping is also a possibility. You will find everything you need to plan a successful trip: guidance on how to get to the route, advice on when to go, where to start your trek and what to take, and information on cross-border permits. Appendices include accommodation listings, useful contacts and an English-Albanian-Montenegrin glossary.
Inhoudsopgave
Map key
Overview maps
Route summary table
Introduction
Geography and geology
Historical summary
National parks and nature reserves
Wildlife and plants
Climate
When to hike
Getting there and around
Accommodation and food
Public holidays
Language
Money
Phones, internet and electricity
Cross-border permits
Local tour operators
Where to start/finish
Variations, transfers and highlights
Trail markings
Maps
Equipment
Water
Safety in the mountains and what to do in an emergency
Using this guide
The Peaks of the Balkans Trail
Stage 1 Theth (Albania) – Valbona (Albania)
Stage 2 Valbona (Albania) – eremi (Albania) via the Prosllopit Pass
Stage 3 eremi (Albania) – Dobrdol (Albania)
Stage 4 Dobrdol (Albania) – Milishevc (Kosovo)
Stage 5 Milishevc (Kosovo) – Rek e Allags (Kosovo)
Stage 6 Rek e Allags (Kosovo) – Drelaj or Restaurant Te Liqeni (Kosovo)
Stage 7 Restaurant Te Liqeni (Kosovo) – Babino polje (Montenegro)
Stage 8 Babino polje (Montenegro) – Plav (Montenegro)
Stage 9 Plav (Montenegro) – Vusanje (Montenegro)
Stage 10 Vusanje (Montenegro) – Theth (Albania)
Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Further reading
Appendix D Language and glossary
Appendix E History timeline
Over de auteur
Rudolf Abraham is an award-winning travel writer and photographer specialising in Croatia and Eastern Europe. He is the author of over 10 books including Peaks of the Balkans, The Alpe Adria Trail, The Islands of Croatia, National Geographic Traveller Croatia, The Mountains of Montenegro, Walking in Croatia and St Oswald’s Way, and co-author of Istria – The Bradt Travel Guide. His work is published widely in magazines and online, including Arts Society Review, BBC Countryfile, BBC Travel, Evening Standard, France, Geographical, Hidden Europe, Morning Calm, Mountain Pro, The National, OE, The Telegraph, Top Trails etc.