The Accursed Winter Adventure: Snowshoeing in the Peaks of the Balkans

“Did I just walk into a scene from a winter fairytale?” I wondered as I opened my eyes, surrounded by pristine, untouched snow. My breath caught as the morning sun gently kissed the peaks of the Accursed Mountains. The world was still, blanketed in pure white, a silence so serene it almost felt surreal. Was this reality, or had I drifted into a dream?

The Peaks of the Balkans trail is a marvel for adventurers year-round, but winter transforms it into something otherworldly. Our snowshoeing expedition in this rugged landscape would reveal both the hidden beauty and unexpected challenges of exploring the Accursed Mountains in the dead of winter. We had packed everything – snowshoes, warm layers, and even our snowboards – expecting a full backcountry experience. Little did we know, the terrain had its own plans for us.

Gear Overload: A Lesson Learned

Before setting out, we met a friendly face at Store & Go in Shkoder. As we loaded our gear, including our heavy snowboards, he gently suggested we might want to reconsider carrying them along. “You might find snowshoeing more practical than riding out there. Why not store them here until you return?” he advised.

But the lure of carving through deep powder was too strong. We shrugged off the suggestion and stubbornly kept them with us. We would soon discover that, while the idea was dreamy, the reality of using snowboards in this wild terrain was more of a burden than a benefit.

Snowshoeing Through Silence: A Different Kind of Adventure

Our journey began with hopeful hearts and heavy packs. The snow was deep and forgiving, making snowshoeing the ideal choice for most of our route. The Accursed Mountains, stretching between Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, are a winter wonderland for snowshoe enthusiasts. The peaks stood like silent sentinels, their jagged edges softened by snow, while frozen rivers and snow-laden trees added to the magic.

While snowboarding was limited to a few steep sections near Valbone, the majority of our adventure was spent on snowshoes, trudging through remote valleys and dense forests. We quickly realized that the snowboards stayed strapped to our packs more often than not. The steep, icy terrain wasn’t the ideal playground we had envisioned. By the time we reached Doberdol, our legs were heavy and the novelty of lugging unnecessary gear had worn off.

The Beauty of Simplicity: Learning to Pack Smart

Had we taken the advice from the guy at Store & Go, our journey might have been lighter and more enjoyable. But lessons are best learned firsthand. We thanked him silently as we realized that we were doing what we set out to do: truly explore this winter wilderness. Snowshoeing allowed us to reach places that snowboards never could, and the slow pace gave us time to take in the raw beauty of the Accursed Mountains.

Each night, as we set up camp, the stars overhead sparkled like diamonds in the cold winter sky. And each morning, we woke up to golden sunrises that painted the peaks in hues of pink and orange. It was pure magic, made all the better by the simplicity of snowshoes.

Final Thoughts: Store Smart, Travel Light

We’ve learned that sometimes, less is more. The next time we return to the Peaks of the Balkans, we’ll leave unnecessary gear safely stored in Shkoder and focus on the essentials. For anyone planning a winter adventure in this area, consider how your gear will actually serve you on the trail. If you’re unsure, the folks at Store & Go are there to offer advice – take it from us, it’s worth listening.