Stage-by-stage route
All ten stages from Theth with distances, times, ascent and descent, plus “what hikers report” notes on the tricky parts.
Self-guided trekking guide · 2026 / 2027 edition
Walk the Peaks of the Balkans on your own terms
Ten stages, three countries, one 192 km loop through the Accursed Mountains. Routes, stage maps, elevation profiles, border permits, transport and guesthouses: everything you need to plan and walk it without a tour.
- 10Stages
- 192 kmLoop
- ≈9,100 mAscent
- 3Countries
4.9★ on Google for our Shkodër basecamp (163 reviews)
~80 pages · stage maps & elevation profiles
8 appendices · checklist, phrasebook, emergency card
What's inside
Everything you need, from the first bus to the last pass
One guide instead of twenty browser tabs, blog posts and outdated forum threads.
Maps & elevation profiles
Topographic stage maps with the real trail line and borders, and an elevation profile so you know where the climbs are.
Border permits explained
The loop crosses into Kosovo and Montenegro. Which permits you need, what they cost and how to get them in time.
Getting there & away
Shkodër, Theth, Valbonë, the Lake Komani ferry, Plav, Gusinje and Vusanje: options and latest timetables.
Sleep, eat & budget
Guesthouses on every stage, typical prices, cash and ATMs, food and water, phone signal and wi-fi.
Stay safe out there
Weather, shepherd dogs, wildlife and ticks, navigation, emergency numbers and responsible trekking.
- Packing checklist
- Phrasebook
- Mountain food glossary
- Booking & permit planner
- Emergency card
- Useful resources
Look inside
Real pages from the guide
The route
Ten stages, described in the direction most hikers walk
The official trail is 192 km. On the standard route you walk about 172 km, because almost everyone takes a transfer for the 13 km road section on stage 7. The guide shows both, plus the high variants and side summits.
- 01 Theth → Valbonë
- 02 Valbonë → Çerem
- 03 Çerem → Dobërdol
- 04 Dobërdol → Milishevc
- 05 Milishevc → Rekë e Allagës
- 06 Rekë e Allagës → Drelaj
- 07 Drelaj → Babino Polje
- 08 Babino Polje → Plav
- 09 Plav → Vusanje
- 10 Vusanje → Theth
Choose your format
On your phone, on paper, or both
PDF guide
€14.99
- Full colour maps and photos
- Reads offline on your phone or tablet
- Zoom into every stage map
- Download link emailed on release
Printed copy
€19.99
- Printed in black & white
- No battery or signal needed
- Collect from our 24/7 smart lockers
- Rruga Studenti 10, Shkodër
Want both? Add both to your cart and pay once.
Start in Shkodër
Your basecamp before the loop
Shkodër is the gateway town for Theth and Valbonë. Sort the rest of your trip with us in one stop.
Questions
Good to know before you buy
How do I get the PDF?
The 2026 / 2027 edition PDF is in its final checks. Order now and we email you your personal download link as soon as it is released.
Will it work on my phone?
Yes. It is a standard PDF that opens on any phone, tablet or computer, and you can zoom into the maps.
What is the printed copy like?
It is the same guide printed in black and white, so maps and photos are in greyscale. Pick it up from our smart lockers at Rruga Studenti 10 in Shkodër, open 24/7. You choose your arrival date at checkout, and on the day we send you a link that opens your locker.
Is the guide up to date?
This is the 2026 / 2027 edition, compiled from published sources and recent hikers' reports (2024–2026). Trails, timetables and prices change from season to season, so the guide tells you what to double-check before you set off.
Do I need permits to walk the loop?
Yes. The route crosses the borders of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, and you need a border-crossing permit for each country (free, or up to about €25 through an agency). The guide explains how to arrange them.
Can I share the PDF?
The PDF is licensed for your personal use: you can keep it on all your devices and print it for yourself. Please don't share it publicly or resell it.
Ready when you are
Plan the whole loop tonight, and walk it with confidence.