Edith Durham Trail: Kosovo, Montenegro, North Albania

In Peja, we will visit Tahir Bey Old Traditional House where the Ethnological Museum is located. It represents the most beautiful type of old house in the city and is a cultural monument built by Albanian masters in the 1800s. Afterward, we will continue through the old Bazaar and stop at the Bajrakli Mosque, known as “Bazaars Mosque”, which was built in 1471.

Our cultural path will take us next to the  “Saint Catherine” Catholic church, built on the foundations of an Albanian church built in 1928.

Finally, we will visit the Orthodox Church, known as “Patriarchate of Peja”, built in the early XIII century, which is located at the entrance of the Rugova Gorge.

In the evening we will have a relaxing dinner.

Today’s trek starts with an early breakfast before we head off on our first full day of trekking. This is a relatively long hike on the border of Kosovo and Montenegro. It goes through beautiful mountain areas with many water sources, glacial lakes, and mountain passes.

After the lakes, we will gradually go up to Lugu I Shkodrёs  a.k.a “Shkodra Pass”, because it used to be an ancient path that connected the area with the city of Shkodra in Albania.

After refueling with some lunch and returning to the trailhead, we will continue and then descend to Babino Polje, a hidden village of Montenegro.

Trek: 15.8 Km, 6-7 hours; elevation gain: 1150m, elevation loss: 1100m.

After breakfast and coffee, we will enjoy a short drive to Grbaja Valley.

Our trek starts out with a gradual uphill pass through the forest and ultimately arrives at Vallushnica Peak.

The last part of the trail passes across a ridge before the final ascent to Taljanka Peak at an altitude of 2056m.

Finding the perfect spot for a picnic lunch, we will take time to soak in all of the beauty of this special spot. After lunch, we’ll descend down to the very beautiful village of Lepushe, Albania.

Trek: 10.2 Km, 5-6 hours; elevation gain: 880m, elevation loss: 580m.

This morning we enjoy a leisurely half-day ascent to Vermosh. This gentle hike leads along a scenic contour, gradually walking up as we approach Mount Greben, 1840m, from where we can enjoy great views of Mount Trojan, the hamlet of Lepushe, and point out of the Accursed Mountains on the horizon. After lunch and a bit of rest, we continue descending to Vermosh, the northmost village of Albania, situated among small traditional homes and fields.

We are certain to enjoy this very special place where we will spend two nights. After the hike, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to rest, journal, read, enjoy the views or soak in your surroundings. All meals included.

Trek: 9 Km, 4-5 hours; elevation gain: 870m, elevation loss: 580m.

This morning we will make our way on foot towards Bordolec Pass and through beech woods while trekking about three hours to the ridge of Berizhdol, one of the most spectacular ridge walks of the Kelemdi region.

Magnificent views of the north-western face of the Accursed Mountains range (Bjeshkët e Namuna) are always in our sights. Our lunch stop will be one of many places that offer incredible views. We will spend time in this special place before going through a forest trail that will bring us to the bottom of the Nikç valley.

The afternoon is left open to rest and explore this unique village. Overnight at a local house in the Village. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a farewell celebration dinner together.

Trek: 13 Km, 5-6 hours; elevation gain: 710m, elevation loss: 1000m.

After breakfast, our adventure ends with a private transfer to the airport.